Public Statement by the Governor of Western Australia following an Executive Council Meeting on 28 February 2014 1.

As you are aware, the High Court, sitting as the Court of Disputed Returns, has declared the 2013 Western Australian Senate Election result void. 2. Yesterday, I received a letter from the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia informing me that she had accepted the advice of the Prime Minister, that a new half Senate election is required, to elect 6 Senators for the State of Western Australia to the Senate of the Commonwealth. 3. Section 12 of the Commonwealth Constitution provides that the Governor of a State may cause a Writ to be issued for the election of Senators for that State. The Governor-General has invited me to issue the necessary Writ for the Senate half election. 4. The Election of Senators Act 1903 of Western Australia regulates elections of Senators for Western Australia. 5. In accordance with that Act, and following the advice of the Executive Council, attended by Premier Barnett and Minister Collier, I have today appointed: a. 7 March 2014 to be the day for the close of the rolls. b. 13 March 2014 at 12 noon to be the day and time before which nominations of Senators at and for that election are to be made. c. 5 April 2014 to be the day on which the poll is to be taken in the event of that election being contested. d. 8 June 2014 as the latest date for the return of the Writ.