Chamber:
	Senate
Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):
	2 March 1996
Purpose of elections:
	Elections were held for 40 Senators on the normal expiry of the members' term of office.
Background and outcome of elections:
	On 26 January 1996, Prime Minister Paul Keating (Australian Labour Party - ALP) called the general elections for 2 March; the House of Representatives was dissolved three days later. At the close of nominations on 9 February, 1163 candidates (908 for the House, 255 for the Senate) were put forward. Campaign oratory focused on economic management and trade union relations as well as foreign policy. The outgoing Government pointed to its economic record, reforms in this field, and its push to establish ties with the dynamic economies of Asia. The main opposition Liberal/National coalition countered by underlining the country's large and growing foreign debt, youth unemployment and the need for a change and fresh policies after 13 years of Labour Government. In two televised debates with opposition leader John Howard, Mr. Keating failed to land the "killer blow", observers felt. The pre-election polls that favoured the conservative coalition were proved right on voting day, as the Liberal/National alliance swept to a landslide victory and the biggest House majority in years. Labour - which counted eight outgoing Ministers among its unsuccessful candidates - was thus denied an unprecedented sixth successive term and Mr. Keating resigned as party leader. Of the 40 Senate seats at stake, half went to the Liberal/National coalition. In his victory speech, Mr. Howard (Liberal Party) committed himself to uniting the Australian people and strengthening bilateral relations in foreign policy. His new Cabinet was sworn in on 11 March.

STATISTICS

Round no 1 (DATE): Elections results
Number of registered electors	11,655,190
Voters	11,294,433
Blank or invalid ballot papers	395,448
Valid votes	10,898,985

Round no 1: Distribution of votes
Political Group	Candidates	Votes	%
Liberal/National Party	35	4,792,669	44.0
Australian Labour Party	25	3,940,127	36.2
Australian Democrats	25	1,179,350	10.8
Greens	20	345,509	3.2
Others	150	641,330	5.9

Round no 1: Distribution of seats
Political Group	Total	Seats 1996	Gain/Loss
Liberal/National Party	37	20	+1
Australian Labour Party	29	14	-1
Australian Democrats	7	5	=
Greens	2	1	=
Others	1	0	=

Distribution of seats according to sex:
Men:	53
Women:	23