Sadly yesterday we heard that federal Labor MP Peta Murphy had died of cancer after a long illness.
This is a website that covers elections, and Murphy’s death means a federal by-election will be coming up in her seat of Dunkley. I would expect this by-election to be held early in 2024.
I have prepared a guide for that by-election, which you can read here.
given that the house rises on thursday and only sits thursday unless they set the date on thursday i imagine it wont be held til at least late march
John, I thought the announcement of dates for the by-election can be made anytime unless the Speaker is actually required to be in Parliament to perform all the procedures for setting the by-election like issuing of writs.
@yohan yes they are required to issue the writs
In issuing a writ for a by-election Speakers normally follow the procedure set out below:
the vacancy and cause of vacancy is notified to the House at the earliest opportunity;
convenient dates are selected and the Electoral Commission is consulted as to their suitability for electoral arrangements;
proposed dates are forwarded to party leaders for comment;
dates determined by the Speaker are notified by a press release;
a writ addressed to the Electoral Commissioner is prepared, signed by the Speaker and embossed with the House of Representatives seal;
the House is advised;
the writ is delivered to the Electoral Commissioner;
the Australian Communications and Media Authority is advised; and
notification of the by-election is published in the Gazette.[96]