President of the Senate (Australia)
The position is provided for by Section 17 of the Constitution of Australia. The Senate elects one of its members as president at the start of each new term, or whenever the position is vacant. This is usually—though not necessarily—a member of the party or coalition that holds the most seats in the Senate. The largest party in the Senate is not always the governing party, as government is determined by the House of Representatives. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives may consequently be from different parties.
Members of the Australian Senate, 2005–2008
This is a list of members of the Australian Senate from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2008. Half of the state senators had been elected at the November 2001 election and had terms due to finish on 30 June 2008; the other half of the state senators were elected at the October 2004 election and had terms due to finish on 30 June 2011. The territory senators were elected at the October 2004 election and their terms ended at the dissolution of the House of Representatives, which was November 2007. The new Senate first met in August 2005, with state senators elected in 2004 sworn in on 9 August 2005.