2013 Australian federal election

• Governor-General accepted Kevin Rudd's advice to dissolve Parliament and hold a general election – 4 August 2013
• Prorogation of 43rd Parliament – 5:29 pm Monday 5 August 2013[http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2013G01196 Proclamation – Prorogue of the Parliament and dissolution of the House of Representatives; Gazette C2013G01196] at ComLaw, Australian Government, 5 August 2013
• Dissolution of House of Representatives – 5:30 pm Monday 5 August 2013
• Issue of writs – Monday 5 August 2013[http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2013G01199 Issue of Writs for Election of Members of the House of Representatives and of Senators to Represent the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory; Gazette C2013G01199] at ComLaw, Australian Government, 6 August 2013
• Close of rolls – 8 pm Monday 12 August 2013
• Close of candidate nominations – 12 noon Thursday 15 August 2013
• Declaration of candidate nominations – 12 noon Friday 16 August 2013
• Election day or Polling day – Saturday 7 September 2013
• Swearing-in of 44th Parliament – Wednesday 18 September 2013
• Last day for the return of writs – Monday 13 November 2013
• Deadline for first meeting of the 44th Parliament – Wednesday 13 December 2013

On 30 January 2013, the then Prime Minister Julia Gillard had announced the election would be held on 14 September. However, following a leadership ballot in June 2013, she was replaced as leader and prime minister by Rudd, who then abandoned the originally planned date. A referendum on amending the constitution to allow the federal government to directly fund local councils, which was initially planned to be held on the same day as the federal election, could not go ahead on the date announced by Rudd.[http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/08/04/18/22/local-council-referendum-put-on-ice Local council referendum put on ice] Channel 9 News, 4 August 2013 This is because Section 128 of the Constitution of Australia requires that a referendum be submitted to electors between two and six months after its passage through Parliament. As early voting started on 20 August it could not be submitted then.

File:Australian House of Reps April 2012 Rect.svg seat numbers prior to the 2013 election

Government (71)
{{colour box|{{party color|Australian Labor Party}}}} Labor (71)

Opposition
Coalition (72)
{{colour box|#080cab}} Liberal (44)
{{colour box|#1456f1}} LNP (20)
{{colour box|#008000}} Nationals (6)
{{colour box|#508050}} Nat. WA (1)
{{colour box|#000090}} CLP (1)

Crossbench (7)
{{colour box|#b3b3b3}} Ind. (5)
{{colour box|#10c25b}} Greens (1)
{{colour box|#B20000}} KAP (1)]]

{{see also|Results of the Australian federal election, 2010 (House of Representatives)}}

At the 2010 federal election, Labor and the Liberal/National Coalition each won 72 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives, four short of the requirement for majority government, resulting in the first hung parliament since the 1940 federal election. On the crossbench, one member of the Australian Greens, one member of the National Party of Western Australia and four independent members held the balance of power. After gaining the support of the Greens and three independents on confidence and supply votes, Labor was able to form a minority government with 76 seats, the smallest possible margin in the 150-seat House.{{cite web|author= Emma Rodgers |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/07/3005028.htm?section=justin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100908225659/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/07/3005028.htm?section=justin |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 September 2010 |work=ABC News |title=Labor clings to power |date=7 September 2010 |access-date=8 September 2010}}

On 24 November 2011, Harry Jenkins resigned as Speaker of the House of Representatives and returned to the Labor backbench. Later, that day, Deputy Speaker Peter Slipper was elected Speaker and quit the Liberal National Party to become an independent. This changed nominal confidence and supply numbers on the floor of the house from 75–74 to 76–73.{{cite news|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/slipper-long-plotted-against-us-lnp-20111124-1nwov.html |title=Slipper long plotted against us: LNP |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=24 November 2011 |access-date=17 March 2012}}{{cite news|last=Viellaris |first=Renee |url=http://www.news.com.au/national/how-alp-lured-slipper-to-speakers-chair/story-e6frfkvr-1226207163831 |title=How Labor lured Peter Slipper to Speaker's chair in Federal Parliament |publisher=News.com.au |date=27 November 2011 |access-date=17 March 2012}} In January 2012, Andrew Wilkie withdrew his guarantee of confidence to the incumbent government, changing numbers to 75–73 in the event of his abstention, or 75–74 in the event of his support for a vote of no confidence in the government. In April 2012, Labor's Craig Thomson moved to the crossbenches as an independent MP, and in May, WA National Tony Crook moved from the crossbenches to the Nationals, but did not join the Coalition. Changes brought the government to 71 seats, the Coalition 72 seats and seven crossbenchers. On 9 October 2012, after an unsuccessful vote of no confidence in the speakership, Slipper resigned as Speaker and was replaced by Labor Deputy Speaker Anna Burke. Slipper remained an independent MP.

{{see also|Post-election pendulum for the 2010 Australian federal election|Pre-election pendulum for the 2013 Australian federal election|Post-election pendulum for the 2013 Australian federal election}}

File:Australian Senate July 2011 Rect.svg seat numbers prior to the 2013 election

Government (31)
{{colour box|{{party color|Australian Labor Party}}}} Labor (31)

Opposition
Coalition (34)
{{colour box|#080cab}} Liberal (24)
{{colour box|#1456f1}} LNP (6)
{{colour box|#008000}} Nationals (3)
{{colour box|#000080}} CLP (1)

Crossbench (11)
{{colour box|#10c25b}} Greens (9)
{{colour box|#008080}} DLP (1)
{{colour box|#b3b3b3}} Ind. (1)]]

Before the election, the 76-seat Senate was made up of senators from the Coalition (34), Australian Labor Party (31), Australian Greens (9), Democratic Labour Party (1) and one independent senator, Nick Xenophon. The Greens held the sole balance of power. Previously the Greens had held a shared balance of power with the Family First Party and Xenophon.

Of the 76 Senate seats, 40 are contested. This corresponds to half of each state's allocation as well as both senators from the two major territories. Newly elected state senators commenced their terms on 1 July 2014 and the senators of the territories began their terms immediately after their elections.The election of territory senators coincides with general elections for the House of Representatives, and their term expires and the new term begins on the day of the election (Commonwealth Electoral Act, s. 42). [http://www.aph.gov.au/binaries/senate/pubs/odgers/pdf/odgers.pdf Odgers' Australian Senate Practice] 12th edn (2008), p. 17, at aph.gov.au

On 30 January 2013, at a speech at the National Press Club, Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the election would be held on Saturday 14 September 2013, although the Governor-General was not formally advised and no writ of election was issued.{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/national/julia-gillard-announces-federal-election-date/story-fncynjr2-1226565011494 |title=Julia Gillard announces federal election date |author-link1=Malcolm Farr|first1=Malcolm|last1=Farr|first2=Simon|last2= Benson |publisher=News.com.au |date=30 January 2013 |access-date=3 February 2013}} Kevin Rudd succeeded Julia Gillard as prime minister on 27 June 2013.

The Broadcasting Services Act 1992 was checked by various commercial broadcasting media outlets and media councils as a result of Gillard's announcement.{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/equal-political-broadcast-time-starts-now/story-fn59niix-1226567128123 |title=Equal political broadcast time 'starts now' |author=David Crowe |work=The Australian |date=2 February 2013 |access-date=3 February 2013}} The Act says, in part,

{{blockquote|"Election period" means:
(a) in relation to any other election to a Parliament – the period that starts on:
– (i) the day on which the proposed polling day for the election is publicly announced; or
- (ii) the day on which the writs for the election are issued;
whichever happens first, and ends at the close of the poll on the polling day for the election;|source=[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/bsa1992214/ Broadcasting Services Act 1992], Schedule 2, Section 1}}

and

{{blockquote|text=PART 2
b. (i) If, during an election period, a broadcaster broadcasts election matter, the broadcaster must give reasonable opportunities for the broadcasting of election matter to all political parties contesting the election, being parties which were represented in either House of the Parliament for which the election is to be held at the time of its last meeting before the election period.|source=[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/bsa1992214/ Broadcasting Services Act 1992], Schedule 2, Section 3(2)}}

This is interpreted as "equal time, over time" rather than equal time in the same broadcast, and that this requirement began with the announcement on 30 January 2013.

The terms of members of the House of Representatives who did not renominate ended at the dissolution of the parliament (5 August 2013).

The terms of senators who did not renominate ended on 30 June 2014, unless they represented the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory, in which case their term ended on the day before polling day (6 September 2013). That date also applies to territory senators who contest the election but are defeated.

Members and senators who chose not to renominate are as follows:

• Rob Oakeshott MP (Lyne, NSW) – announced retirement 26 June 2013{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-26/tony-windsor-and-rob-oakeshott-are-quitting-politics/4780492 |title=Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott announce they are quitting politics |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=26 June 2013 |author=Griffiths, Emma |access-date=26 June 2013 }}
• Tony Windsor MP (New England, NSW) – announced retirement 26 June 2013

• Greg Combet MP (Charlton, NSW) – announced retirement 29 June 2013{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/national-news/nsw-act/combet-to-quit-politics-at-election/story-fnii5qqu-1226671840801 |title=Combet to quit politics at election |date=29 June 2013 |access-date=29 June 2013 |work=The Daily Telegraph |author=Maiden, Smanatha }}
• Simon Crean MP (Hotham, VIC) – announced retirement 1 July 2013{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-01/rudd-unveils-new-ministry/4790720 |title=Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's new-look ministry sworn into office at Government House – Rudd Returns |work=ABC News |date=1 July 2013 |access-date=11 August 2013}}
• Craig Emerson MP (Rankin, Qld) – announced retirement 26 June 2013{{cite news |url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/06/26/21/16/craig-emerson-resigns-as-mp-minister |title=Craig Emerson resigns as MP, minister |work=Nine News |date=26 June 2013 |access-date=26 June 2013 |agency=Australian Associated Press }}
• Martin Ferguson MP (Batman, Vic) – announced retirement 29 May 2013{{cite news|title=Martin Ferguson announces he will retire from parliament at next election|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-29/labor-mp-martin-ferguson-announces-he-will-retire-at-election/4720860|access-date=29 May 2013|work=ABC News|date=29 May 2013}}
• Peter Garrett MP (Kingsford Smith, NSW) – announced retirement 26 June 2013{{Cite news |url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/06/26/21/36/garrett-quits-as-rudd-returns |work=Nine News |title=Garrett quits as Rudd returns |date=26 June 2013 |access-date=26 June 2013 |agency=Australian Associated Press}}
• Steve Gibbons MP (Bendigo, Vic) – announced retirement 29 August 2011{{cite web|author=Thompson, Jeremy |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-29/labor-mp-to-stand-down/2860190 |title=Labor MP to retire at next election |work=ABC News |date=29 August 2011 |access-date=17 March 2012}}
• Julia Gillard MP (Lalor, Vic) – announced retirement 26 June 2013{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-26/rudd-prevails-over-gillard-in-leadership-ballot/4783422 |title=Kevin Rudd defeats Julia Gillard 57-45 in Labor leadership ballot, paving way for a return to PM |author=Griffith, Emma |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=26 June 2013 |access-date=26 June 2013 }}
• Sharon Grierson MP (Newcastle, NSW) – announced retirement 18 July 2012{{cite news |url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/205770/federal-mp-sharon-grierson-announces-retirement/ |title=Federal MP Sharon Grierson announces retirement |work=Newcastle Herald |date=18 July 2012 |access-date=18 July 2012 |archive-date=19 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719204016/http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/politics/federal-mp-sharon-grierson-announces-retirement/2628014.aspx |url-status=live }}
• Harry Jenkins MP (Scullin, Vic) – announced retirement 26 July 2012{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-26/harry-jenkins-to-retire/4156470|title=Jenkins announces retirement from politics |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=26 July 2012|access-date=26 July 2012}}
• Kirsten Livermore MP (Capricornia, Qld) – announced retirement 27 November 2012{{cite news |last=Scott |first=Steven |title=Federal Labor Capricornia MP Kirsten Livermore announces she will not contest the next election |url=http://www.news.com.au/national/federal-labor-capricornia-mp-kirsten-livermore-announces-she-will-not-contest-the-next-election/story-fndo4ckr-1226525155667 |access-date=27 November 2012 |newspaper=The Courier Mail |date=27 November 2012}}
• Robert McClelland MP (Barton, NSW) – announced retirement 29 January 2013{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-29/mcclelland-to-quit-politics/4489534 |title=McClelland to quit politics at next election |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=29 January 2013}}
• Nicola Roxon MP (Gellibrand, VIC) – announced retirement 2 February 2013{{cite news |url=http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/nicola-roxon-to-quit-politics-reports-20130202-2dqq9.html |title=Nicola Roxon to quit politics: reports |work=The Age |date=2 February 2013 |location=Melbourne}}
• Stephen Smith MP (Perth, WA) – announced retirement 27 June 2013{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-27/stephen-smith-to-retire-from-politics/4785742?section=wa |title=Defence Minister Stephen Smith to retire from politics |author=Griffiths, Emma |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=27 June 2013 |access-date=27 June 2013 }}
• Senator Mark Bishop (WA) – announced retirement 15 April 2013{{cite news|author=Swan, Jonathan |url=http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/wa-labor-senator-bishop-to-retire-20130415-2hv87.html |title=WA Labor senator Bishop to retire |work=The Age |date=15 April 2013 |access-date=26 June 2013 |location=Melbourne}}
• Senator Trish Crossin (NT) – lost preselection 28 January 2013{{cite news|last=Kenny|first=Mark|title=Crossin calls for NT stolen generation payout|url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/crossin-calls-for-nt-stolen-generation-payout-20130129-2diwq.html|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=28 January 2013}}
• Senator John Hogg (Qld) – announced retirement 10 August 2012{{cite news|title=Senate President Hogg announces retirement|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-10/senate-president-hogg-announces-retirement/4191126|access-date=10 August 2012|work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=10 August 2012}}

• Joanna Gash MP (Gilmore, NSW) – announced retirement 25 January 2012{{cite news|title=Lib MP to quit federal politics |url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8408499 |access-date=25 January 2012 |newspaper=ninemsn |date=25 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126053504/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8408499 |archive-date=26 January 2012 }}
• Barry Haase MP (Durack, WA) – announced retirement 15 June 2013{{cite web|url=http://www.kimberleypage.com.au/2013/06/barry-haase-mhr-retires/ |title=News and Information from Western Australia's Kimberley Region, Kunnunurra news, Fitzroy Crossing News, Broome News, Derby News, Halls Creek News |publisher=Kimberley Page |date=15 June 2013 |access-date=26 June 2013}}
• Judi Moylan MP (Pearce, WA) – announced retirement 28 July 2011
• Alby Schultz MP (Hume, NSW) – announced retirement 17 April 2012{{cite news|title=Alby Schulz to retire|url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/alby-schulz-to-retire-20120417-1x54z.html|access-date=9 January 2013|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=17 April 2012}}
• Patrick Secker MP (Barker, SA) – announced retirement on 25 June 2013[http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=CHAMBER;id=chamber%2Fhansardr%2F2664e920-4f1e-4c71-99c4-5a88ac43e482%2F0081;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F2664e920-4f1e-4c71-99c4-5a88ac43e482%2F0000%22 House of Reopresentatives Hansard, 25 June 2013]. Retrieved 14 August 2013
• Alex Somlyay MP (Fairfax, Qld) – announced retirement 25 September 2010{{cite news|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/lib-speaks-for-himselfdefies-gag-by-abbott/1951905.aspx |title=Lib speaks for himself, defies gag by Abbott |work=The Canberra Times |date=25 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100927083727/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/lib-speaks-for-himselfdefies-gag-by-abbott/1951905.aspx |archive-date=27 September 2010 }}
• Mal Washer MP (Moore, WA) – announced retirement 28 July 2011{{cite web |url=https://bodypoliticaus.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/mal-washer-and-judi-moylan-true-liberals-in-a-conservative-heartland/ |work=The Body Politic |title=Mal Washer and Judi Moylan – True liberals in a conservative heartland |date=28 July 2011 |access-date=17 March 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2011/s3293311.htm |title=The World Today – WA Liberal climate change motion 'stupid': Washer |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=15 August 2011 |access-date=17 March 2012}}
• Senator Sue Boyce (Qld) – announced retirement 8 October 2012{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/another-lnp-senator-to-retire/story-e6frfku9-1226490420644|title=Another LNP senator to retire|publisher=news.com.au|date=8 October 2012}}
• Senator Alan Eggleston (WA) – announced retirement 9 April 2012{{cite news|url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/13377924/libs-search-for-new-senators/|title=Libs search for new senators|work=The West Australian|date=10 April 2012}}
• Senator Gary Humphries (ACT) – lost preselection 23 February 2013[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-26/humphries-farewells-senate-after-40-years-in-politics/4783398?section=act Humphries farewells Senate after 40 years in politics, ABC News, 26 June 2013]. Retrieved 26 June 2013

• John Forrest MP (Mallee, Vic) – announced retirement 6 March 2013{{cite news|title=Veteran Nationals MP John Forrest retires|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-06/veteran-nationals-mp-retires-after-20-years27-service/4556684?section=vic|access-date=6 March 2013|work=ABC News|date=6 March 2013}}
• Paul Neville MP (Hinkler, Qld) − announced retirement 10 October 2012{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-10/bundaberg-mp-paul-neville-to-quit/4305108|last=Adcock|first=Frances|title=Bundaberg MP Paul Neville to quit|date=10 October 2012|access-date=11 October 2012}}
• Senator Ron Boswell (Qld) – announced retirement 21 September 2012{{cite news|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/veteran-ron-boswell-wont-renominate-for-senate-20120921-26bt2.html|title=Veteran Boswell won't renominate for Senate|work=The Brisbane Times|date=21 September 2012}}

• Tony Crook MP (O'Connor) – announced retirement 9 April 2013{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/wa-national-tony-crook-to-quit-federal-politics/story-fn59niix-1226616999255 |title=WA National Tony Crook to quit federal politics |work=The Australian |date=9 April 2013 |access-date=13 April 2013 |agency=Australian Associated Press}}

• 30 January – Prime Minister Julia Gillard announces planned election date of 14 September 2013.
• 2 February – Attorney-General Nicola Roxon announces she will be retiring at the election. Higher Education Minister Senator Chris Evans, whose term was not due to finish until 2017, announces he will be resigning in the near future.{{cite news|title=Roxon, Evans shock resignations prompt cabinet reshuffle|url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/roxon-evans-shock-resignations-prompt-cabinet-reshuffle-20130202-2dquv.html|access-date=20 February 2013|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=2 February 2013|author=Kenny, Mark |author2=Wright, Jessica}}
• 19 February – Greens leader Christine Milne announces that the alliance agreement with the ALP is over, but her party will not vote against confidence or supply.{{cite news|title=Christine Milne says Labor has walked away from its agreement with Greens|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/christine-milne-says-labor-has-walked-away-from-agreement-with-greens/story-fncynjr2-1226581081454|access-date=20 February 2013|website=news.com.au|publisher=News Corp Australia|date=19 February 2013|last1=Lion|first1=Patrick|author-link2=Malcolm Farr|first2=Malcolm|last2=Farr}}
• 26 February – Gillard announces she will "campaign" in western Sydney for the following week, from Sunday night until Friday.{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/julia-gillard-campaigning-not-governing-in-western-sydney/story-fn59niix-1226586410041 |title=Julia Gillard 'campaigning', not governing, in western Sydney |author1=Maher, Sid |author2=Shanahan, Dennis |author-link2=Dennis Shanahan |work=The Australian |date=27 February 2013 }}
• 19 March – Richard Torbay is forced to resign from the Nationals, forfeiting his candidature for the Division of New England.{{cite news|last=Salusinszky|first=Imre|title=Richard Torbay quits NSW parliament after being dumped from Nationals federal preselection|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/richard-torbay-quits-nsw-parliament-after-being-dumped-from-nationals-federal-preselection/story-fn59niix-1226601367354|access-date=20 March 2013|newspaper=The Australian|date=20 March 2013}} Barnaby Joyce puts his name forward as a possible replacement candidate, hoping to move from the Senate to the House of Representatives.{{cite news|last=Packham|first=Ben|title=Barnaby Joyce ready to take on Tony Windsor in New England after Richard Torbay is dumped|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/barnaby-joyce-ready-to-take-on-tony-windsor-in-new-england-after-richard-torbay-is-dumped/story-fn59niix-1226601236408|access-date=20 March 2013|newspaper=The Australian|date=20 March 2013}}
• 21 March – Former Labor leader, Minister Simon Crean asks Gillard for a party leadership vote, and publicly declares his support for Kevin Rudd. In parliament, the Opposition attempts to suspend standing orders for a no confidence vote and although gaining 73 votes to the government's 71 votes, fails to gain the absolute majority of 76 votes required. Crean is sacked from the ministry. At the leadership ballot no alternative candidate nominates, and Gillard is re-elected as ALP leader unopposed.{{cite news|title=Julia Gillard wins leadership unopposed|url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/-/world/16416013/australia-pm-gillard-calls-for-leadership-vote/|access-date=21 March 2013|newspaper=Yahoo7|date=21 March 2013}} Rudd supporters Joel Fitzgibbon, Ed Husic, Janelle Saffin and Richard Marles quit their positions in the executive government.{{cite news|last=Robertson|first=James|title=Body count: Rudd supporters quit their posts|url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/body-count-rudd-supporters-quit-their-posts-20130321-2giy3.html|access-date=21 March 2013|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=21 March 2013}}
• 22 March – Rudd issues a statement that he will never again return to the ALP leadership.{{cite news|last=Packham|first=Ben|title=I'm giving up on leadership: Kevin Rudd|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/chris-bowen-quits-after-failed-leadership-tilt/story-fnhqeu0x-1226603128743|access-date=22 March 2013|newspaper=The Australian|date=22 March 2013}} Kim Carr, Martin Ferguson and Chris Bowen quit their ministries.{{cite news|last=Packham|first=Ben|title=Chris Bowen quits after failed leadership coup, Julia Gillard says more may go|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/chris-bowen-quits-after-failed-leadership-tilt/story-fnhqeu0x-1226603128743|access-date=22 March 2013|newspaper=The Australian|date=22 March 2013}}{{cite news|last=AAP|title=Kim Carr resigns human services portfolio|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/carr-still-in-gillard-camp/story-e6frf7kf-1226603247244|access-date=22 March 2013|newspaper=Herald Sun|date=22 March 2013}}{{cite news|last=AAP|title=Martin Ferguson resigns from cabinet|url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/03/22/14/48/martin-ferguson-resigns-from-cabinet|access-date=22 March 2013|newspaper=ninemsn.com.au|date=22 March 2013}}
• 23 March – Key independent MP Andrew Wilkie warns that ongoing instability within the ALP means the government will have difficulty surviving a vote of confidence when parliament resumes in May.{{cite news |url=http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/wilkie-warns-labor-over-vote-no-confidence/1803817/ |title=Wilkie warns Labor over vote of no confidence |work=Gladstone Observer |date=25 March 2013 |access-date=26 June 2013 }}
• 2 May – The opposition indicates it will support the Government's National Disability Insurance Scheme policy, including an increase in the Medicare levy from 1.5% to 2%.{{cite web|last=Cullen|first=Simon|title=Abbott supports NDIS levy, with conditions|date=2 May 2013|url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2013/s3750494.htm|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=13 May 2013}}{{cite news|last=AAP|title=Gillard welcomes Abbott support for NDIS|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/gillard-welcomes-abbott-support-for-ndis/story-fn3dxiwe-1226633816992|access-date=13 May 2013|newspaper=The Australian|date=2 May 2013}}
• 26 June – Independents Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor both announce they won't recontest their seats at the election. Kevin Rudd defeats Julia Gillard in another Labor leadership spill by a 57–45 margin. After the spill, Gillard along with ministers Craig Emerson and Peter Garrett announce their retirement at the coming election.
• 27 June – Rudd is sworn in as prime minister by Governor-General Quentin Bryce, with Anthony Albanese and Chris Bowen sworn in as deputy prime minister and Treasurer respectively. Defence Minister Stephen Smith MP announces his retirement at the coming election.
• 29 June – Greg Combet MP announces his retirement at the coming election.
• 1 July – The Second Rudd Ministry is sworn in. Simon Crean MP announces his retirement at the coming election.{{cite news|last=Griffiths|first=Emma|title=Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's new-look ministry sworn into office at Government House|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-01/rudd-unveils-new-ministry/4790720|access-date=29 August 2013|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=1 July 2013}}
• 1 July – Wikileaks party receives formal registration as a political party.Laughland, Oliver: [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/02/wikileaks-party-registered-australian-election WikiLeaks party registered for Australian election] at The Guardian, 2 July 2013
• 22 July – The ALP caucus approves changes to the way the federal parliamentary leader is chosen. The new rules make it more difficult to change leaders and require a ballot of the party membership on contested leadership spills.{{cite news|last=Scarr|first=Lanai|title=Kevin Rudd gets caucus support for changes to electing Labor leadership after rowdy protesters greet him |url=http://www.news.com.au/national-news/federal-election/kevin-rudd-gets-caucus-support-for-changes-to-electing-labor-leadership-after-rowdy-protesters-greet-him/story-fnho52ip-1226683003485|access-date=10 September 2013|newspaper=news.com.au|date=22 July 2013}}{{cite news|title=Kevin Rudd wins Caucus support for Labor party reform at special meeting in Balmain|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-22/rudd-wins-caucus-support-for-party-reform/4835506|access-date=10 September 2013|newspaper=abc.net.au|date=22 July 2013}}
• 4 August – Kevin Rudd announces the election date as 7 September 2013.{{cite news|author1=Lanai Scarr |author2=Samantha Maiden |author3=Steve Lewis |title=Kevin Rudd calls a general election for September 7|url=http://www.news.com.au/national-news/federal-election/kevin-rudd-calls-a-general-election-for-september-7/story-fnho52ip-1226690860663|access-date=4 August 2013|newspaper=news.com.au|date=4 August 2013}}
• 5 August – Quentin Bryce, the Governor-General, issues the election writ.
• 11 August – The first of three televised leaders debates between Rudd and Abbott is held in Canberra.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23654148 |work=BBC News |title=Australian election rivals Rudd and Abbott hold first debate |date=11 August 2013 |access-date=11 August 2013}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/11/rudd-v-abbott-the-debate-in-full-transcript |title=Rudd v Abbott: the debate in full – transcript| work=The Guardian |date=11 August 2013 |access-date=13 August 2013}}
• 21 August – The second televised leaders debate between Rudd and Abbott is held in Brisbane.{{cite news|last=Clarke|first=Melissa|title=Debate Round 2 breathes life into leaders' dialogue|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-22/clarke-leaders-debate-round-2/4904104|access-date=22 August 2013|newspaper=ABC|date=21 August 2013}}{{cite news|last=Kenny|first=Mark|title=Kevin Rudd breathes fire and brimstone into campaign|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/kevin-rudd-breathes-fire-and-brimstone-into-campaign-20130821-2sbsz.html|access-date=22 August 2013|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=22 August 2013}}
• 25 August – The Coalition's formal campaign launch is held in Brisbane.[http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/08/25/abbott-pledges-trustworthy-government Abbott pledges trustworthy government], SBS News, 25 August 2013.
• 27 August – Treasurer Chris Bowen and shadow treasurer Joe Hockey debate at the National Press Club. Later that evening, the third and final televised leaders debate between Rudd and Abbott is held at the Rooty Hill RSL in Sydney.{{cite news|last=Griffiths|first=Emma|title=Abbott promises not to shut down Labor's Medicare Locals during Rooty Hill debate with Rudd|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-28/abbott-promises-not-to-shut-down-labors-healthcare-hubs/4919576|access-date=29 August 2013|work=ABC News|date=28 August 2013}}
• 28 August – The Coalition releases a document outlining $31.6 billion of proposed budget savings.[http://www.news.com.au/national-news/federal-election/shadow-treasurer-joe-hockey-reveals-316bn-in-coalition-savings/story-fnho52ip-1226705682824 Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey reveals $31.6bn in Coalition savings], news.com.au, 28 August 2013.
• 29 August – The Rudd government releases several costings estimates which it claims show a $10 billion shortfall in the Coalition's claimed savings released the previous day.Hall, Bianca: [http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/labor-campaign-in-tatters-says-coalition-as-government-defends-costings-claim-20130830-2subr.html Labor campaign in 'tatters', says Coalition, as government defends costings claim], The Sydney Morning Herald, 30 August 2013. In a strongly-worded statement, the secretaries of the Department of Treasury and Department of Finance criticise the use of these confidential costings prepared for the government, re-iterating that the assumptions used differ from the costings prepared for the Coalition.[http://www.treasury.gov.au/PublicationsAndMedia/MediaReleases/2013/Costings-Statement Statement on Costings by the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Finance and Deregulation] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901065413/http://www.treasury.gov.au/PublicationsAndMedia/MediaReleases/2013/Costings-Statement |date=1 September 2013 }}, Department of the Treasury, 29 August 2013.
• 1 September – Labor's formal campaign launch is held in Brisbane.Griffiths, Emma: [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-01/labor-party-campaign-launch-to-focus-on-jobs2c-small-businesse/4927242 Labor Party campaign launch to focus on jobs, small businesses and skills], ABC News, 1 September 2013.
• 5 September – The Coalition releases its remaining policy costings, claiming a further $9 billion worth of savings, including a $4.5 billion reduction in Australia's foreign aid budget.[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-05/election-live3a-september-5/4936476 As it happened: Coalition releases costings, Kevin Rudd speaks at Press Club], ABC News, 5 September 2013. Later in the day, the Coalition releases a policy document announcing the implementation of an opt-out Internet filter. That evening, Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull states that the document was "poorly worded" and released by mistake, and that the Coalition had no such policy.Grimson, Matthew: [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-05/no-internet-filter-says-turnbull/4939156 Malcolm Turnbull says Coalition will not introduce opt-out internet filter after earlier supporting it], ABC News, 6 September 2013.
• 7 September (election day) – The Liberal-National coalition defeats the Australian Labor Party with the Coalition expected to win about 90 seats in the House of Representatives. Kevin Rudd conceded defeat and announced that he would not renominate for the ALP's leadership.
• 18 September – The Abbott Ministry is sworn in by Governor-General Quentin Bryce.
• 17 October – A recount of all "above-the-line" Senate votes made in Western Australia is initiated after an appeal by the WA Greens and the Australian Sports Party is upheld.{{cite news|last=Hopkin|first=Michael|title=WA Senate recount gets under way|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/wa-senate-recount-gets-under-way-20131017-2vokp.html|access-date=28 October 2013|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=17 October 2013}}
• 31 October – The AEC announces that it is unable to find 1,375 ballot papers during the WA Senate recount.{{cite news|last=Packham|first=Ben|title=Probe launched into lost WA Senate ballot papers|quote="serious administrative issue came to light" during the recount|access-date=31 October 2013|newspaper=The Australian|date=31 October 2013|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/probe-launched-into-lost-wa-senate-ballot-papers/story-fn59niix-1226750519018}}
• 31 October – The AEC declares Clive Palmer the winner of the seat of Fairfax, after two recounts, by a margin of 53 votes. Palmer claims the result vindicates his decision to challenge more than half the ballot papers cast.{{cite news|last=AAP|title=Clive Palmer wins seat of Fairfax|url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/10/31/16/49/clive-palmer-wins-seat-of-fairfax|access-date=18 November 2013|newspaper=ninemsn.com.au|date=31 October 2013}}
• 4 November – The AEC declares the result of the WA Senate recount, awarding the last two seats to the Greens and Australian Sports Party, instead of the ALP and Palmer United Party.{{cite news|last=Griffiths|first=Emma|title=AEC confirms WA Senate election result, apologises over 1,375 lost ballots|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-04/wa-set-to-head-back-to-polls-in-six-senate-by-elections/5066718|access-date=5 November 2013|newspaper=abc.net.au|date=4 November 2013}}
• 15 November – The AEC disputes its own declaration of the WA Senate result, by lodging a petition with the Court of Disputed Returns, asking that the WA Senate result be declared null and void.{{cite news|last=Ireland|first=Judith|title=Missing votes: AEC asks High Court to void WA Senate election|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/missing-votes-aec-asks-high-court-to-void-wa-senate-election-20131115-2xlwz.html|access-date=18 November 2013|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=15 November 2013}}
• January 2014 – Justice Kenneth Hayne, in the Court of Disputed Returns, hears submissions from the AEC and political parties.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-29/court-wraps-up-first-day-of-wa-senate-case/5226430|title=Court hears submissions to void WA Senate election after votes lost|date=29 January 2014|access-date=30 January 2014|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}} On 30 January 2014, Hayne reserved his decision.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-30/judge-reserves-judgment-on-botched-wa-senate-poll/5227928|title=High Court judge reserves judgment on botched West Australian Senate election|date=30 January 2014|access-date=30 January 2014|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}
• 20 February 2014 – The Court of Disputed Returns voids the results of the WA Senate election.{{cite web|title=Court of Disputed Returns voids 2013 WA Senate election result|url=http://www.aec.gov.au/media/media-releases/2014/02-20.htm|publisher=aec.gov.au|access-date=24 February 2014}}
• 21 February 2014 – Electoral Commissioner Ed Killesteyn announces his resignation, to take effect on 4 July 2014.{{cite web

| last = Bourke

| first = Latika

| year = 2014

| url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-21/aec-resignation/5275828

| title = Ed Killesteyn resigns as Australian Electoral Commissioner

| publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation

| access-date = 23 February 2014

}}

{{further|Candidates of the 2013 Australian federal election}}

The incumbent Labor-led government argued for a need for a "safe pair of hands" to manage an economic shift from mining-oriented growth to something else; while the opposition said that it would prevent a recession that could be caused by a budget deficit. The Sydney Morning Herald suggested both arguments hedged on the mining boom going bust.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/money/planning/vote-of-confidence-as-signs-improve-20130817-2s3p2.html#ixzz2cPMz9Ijs|title=Vote of confidence as signs improve|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|author=David Potts|date=18 August 2013|access-date=19 August 2013}} Rudd officially began the campaign season on 1 September in his hometown of Brisbane. At the rally, he promised tax breaks for small businesses and more work for local contractors on infrastructure projects. He said: "In this election, we are now engaged in the fight of our lives. It is a fight about the values that underpin Australia's future, a fight about our vision for Australia's future. It's a fight about how we go about building Australia's future, a future for the many, not just for the few." He also dismissed the opinion polls that showed him trailing to Abbott in gaining a parliamentary plurality.{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2013/09/2013915719897168.html |title=Australian PM makes final campaign pitch |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=3 September 2013}}

The press overwhelmingly favoured the Coalition over Labor, with all of News Corp's publications endorsing Tony Abbott's opposition over Kevin Rudd's government, as well as Fairfax's publications such as The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times, backing the Coalition over Labor. Fairfax's newspapers, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times both considered the need for political stability a primary reason for supporting the Coalition, as well as criticising Labor's continuing infighting and scandals.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/comment/smh-editorial/australians-deserve-a-government-they-can-trust-20130905-2t7wm.html#poll |title=Australians deserve a government they can trust |work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=5 September 2013 |access-date=10 November 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/ct-editorial/abbotts-time-but-canberra-will-need-to-fight-to-be-heard-20130905-2t7pf.html |title=Abbott's time, but Canberra will need to fight to be heard |work=The Canberra Times|date=6 September 2013 |access-date=10 November 2017}} The Age backed Labor, praising Labor's stewardship of the economy during the 2008 financial crisis and noting that, of the two parties, they were the one with a vision for Australia. The Sunday Age, however, supported the Coalition, rejecting their daily counterpart's editorial that Labor had vision and that the election amounted to choosing a lesser evil, noting that during the election campaign a "genuine contest of ideas [had] not materialised", that "the campaign [had] contained no vision or policy clarion call commanding our attention and demanding our vote" and subsequently that "in the absence of policies and detailed economic information, voter decisiveness will depend on one issue: trust."{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/comment/the-age-editorial/no-vision-or-inspiration-so-who-do-you-trust-to-govern-20130831-2sxoq.html |title=No vision or inspiration, so who do you trust to govern? |date=31 August 2013 |publisher=The Sunday Age |access-date=10 November 2017}} During this period, various News Corp's papers published numerous front-page articles supporting The Coalition and denigrating Labor. During the campaign, The Daily Telegraph ran front pages depicting Labor as Nazis,{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3823942.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526075631/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3823942.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2015 |title=The Tele nails its colours to its masthead |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=10 November 2017}} displaying a picture of Rudd above a headline telling readers to "Kick this mob out,{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3844761.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911211315/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3844761.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 September 2013 |title=The final Tele tally |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=10 November 2017}} and, on election day, ran the headline "After 33 days campaigning, 18 babies kissed, 104,275 km flown and six years of an incompetent Labor government, now it's... your turn."{{cite web|url=https://www.thepaperboy.com/frontpages/archive/Daily_Telegraph_7_9_2013.jpg |title=Daily Telegraph Front Page 7 September 2013 |work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=10 November 2017}} The Sunday Telegraph, meanwhile, printed a front-page editorial with the headline "Australia needs Tony".{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/09/02/3838874.htm |title=Political front page causes a stir |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Company |access-date=10 November 2017}} Additionally, The Courier-Mail used a front page to depict Labor as clowns,{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/prime-minister-kevin-rudd-begs-spinner-peter-beattie-to-help-rescue-labor/news-story/06eb05faa5001adb0ddeab6c38fea1b8?nk=51c7b97a176f4b9f9eb76b2828b76gfb-1510294973 |title=Prime Minister Kevin Rudd begs spinner Peter Beattie to help rescue Labor |work=The Courier Mail|access-date=10 November 2017}} and ran a headline of "Does This Guy Ever Shut Up" alongside a photo of Rudd during a debate.{{cite web|url=https://www.thepaperboy.com/frontpages/archive/Courier_Mail_22_8_2013.jpg |title=The Courier Mail Front Page 22 August 2013 |work=The Courier Mail|access-date=10 November 2017}} Similarly, in the weeks preceding the election, the Herald Sun ran the headline "Trust Me" alongside a photo Abbott{{cite web|url=https://thepaperboy.azureedge.net/frontpages/archive/Herald_Sun_12_8_2013.jpg |title=The Herald Sun Front Page 12 August 2013 |publisher=The Herald Sun |access-date=10 November 2017}} and on the day of the election ran a front page consisting of the headline "It's Tony's Time" alongside another photo of Abbott.{{cite web |url=http://cache2-thumb1.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/docserver/getimage.aspx?regionguid=6c0806a4-b935-40ec-ba42-c1e3aef63c89&scale=22&file=18352013090600000000001001®ionKey=jEsyVa4R3YQd11gfL2v7fQ%3D%3D |title=The Herald Sun Front Page 7 September 2013 |publisher=The Herald Sun |access-date=10 November 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

{{main|Opinion polling for the 2013 Australian federal election}}

{{multiple images|align=center

|image1=TPP polling - Aus 2013 Federal Election.png

|width1=450

|caption1=Two-party-preferred.

|image2=Primary vote polling - Aus 2013 Federal Election.png

|width2=450

|caption2=Primary vote.

|footer=Aggregate of voting intention polls between the 2013 election and the previous election. A moving average is shown in a solid line.

}}

{{multiple images|align=center

|image1=Combined BPM polling Aus fed 2013.png

|width1=450

|image2=Combined net satisfaction polling Aus fed 2013.png

|width2=450

}}

[[File:Australian House of Representatives, 44th Parliament.svg|right|thumb|250px|

Government (90)

Coalition

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|Liberal}}|border=darkgray}} Liberal (58)

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|LNP}}|border=darkgray}} LNP (22)

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|National}}|border=darkgray}} National (9)

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|CLP}}|border=darkgray}} CLP (1)

Opposition (55)

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|Labor}}|border=darkgray}} Labor (55)

Crossbench (5)

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|Greens}}|border=darkgray}} Green (1)

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|Palmer United}}|border=darkgray}} Palmer (1)

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|Katter's Australian Party}}|border=darkgray}} Katter (1)

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|Independent}}|border=darkgray}} Independent (2){{refn|name=Note|group=note|The two independents elected were:

Cathy McGowan

Andrew Wilkie (first elected in 2010){{cite web |url=https://www.aec.gov.au/elections/federal_elections/2013/files/results-map-2013.pdf |title=2013 House of Representatives federal election results map |access-date=8 December 2023 |archive-date=8 December 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231208045513/https://www.aec.gov.au/elections/federal_elections/2013/files/results-map-2013.pdf |url-status=live |work=Australian Electoral Commission |at=Updated 28 August 2019}}}}

]]

File:2013 Election Australia Gallagher Index.png, mainly between the Coalition and Green parties.]]

{{Excerpt|Results of the 2013 Australian federal election (House of Representatives)|Australia|bold=yes}}

{{see also|Pre-election pendulum for the 2013 Australian federal election|Post-election pendulum for the 2013 Australian federal election}}

{{bar box

| title=Popular vote

| titlebar=#ddd

| width=600px

| barwidth=410px

| bars=

{{bar percent|Labor|{{party color|Australian Labor Party}}|33.38}}

{{bar percent|Liberal|{{party color|Liberal Party of Australia}}|32.02}}

{{bar percent|LNP (QLD)|{{party color|Liberal National Party of Queensland}}|8.92}}

{{bar percent|Greens|#10C25B|8.65}}

{{bar percent|Palmer United|{{party color|United Australia Party (2013)}}|5.49}}

{{bar percent|National|{{party color|National Party of Australia}}|4.29}}

{{bar percent|Family First|{{party color|Family First Party}}|1.41}}

{{bar percent|Katter's Australian|{{party color|Katter's Australian Party}}|1.04}}

{{bar percent|CLP|#ff9933|0.32}}

{{bar percent|Independent|{{party color|Independent}}|1.37}}

{{bar percent|Other|#777777|3.11}}

}}

{{bar box

| title=Two-party-preferred vote

| titlebar=#ddd

| width=600px

| barwidth=410px

| bars=

{{bar percent|Coalition|{{party color|Coalition (Australia)}}|53.49}}

{{bar percent|Labor|{{party color|Australian Labor Party}}|46.51}}

}}

{{bar box

| title=Parliament seats

| titlebar=#ddd

| width=600px

| barwidth=410px

| bars=

{{bar percent|Coalition|{{party color|Coalition (Australia)}}|60.00}}

{{bar percent|Labor|{{party color|Australian Labor Party}}|36.67}}

{{bar percent|Greens|#10C25B|0.67}}

{{bar percent|Palmer United|{{party color|United Australia Party (2013)}}|0.67}}

{{bar percent|Katter's Australian|{{party color|Katter's Australian Party}}|0.67}}

{{bar percent|Independent|{{party color|Independent (politician)}}|1.33}}

}}

[[File:Australian Senate, 44th Parliament (2014–end).svg|right|thumb|250px|

Government (33)

Coalition

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|Liberal}}|border=darkgray}} Liberal (23)

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|LNP}}|border=darkgray}} LNP (6)

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|National}}|border=darkgray}} National (3)

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|CLP}}|border=darkgray}} CLP (1)

Opposition (25)

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|Labor}}|border=darkgray}} Labor (25)

Crossbench (18)

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|Greens}}|border=darkgray}} Green (10)

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|Palmer United}}|border=darkgray}} Palmer (2)

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|AMEP}}|border=darkgray}} Motoring (1)

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|Liberal Democrats}}|border=darkgray}} Liberal Democrat (1)

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|Family First}}|border=darkgray}} Family First (1)

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|Democratic Labor}}|border=darkgray}} DLP (1)

{{Color box|{{Australian politics/party colours|Independent}}|border=darkgray}} Independent (2)]]

{{Excerpt|2013 Australian Senate election|Australia|bold=yes}}

{{Excerpt|2014 Australian Senate special election in Western Australia|Revised national totals|bold=yes}}

Most Senate votes cast in Western Australia were subject to a formal recount.{{Cite web |url=http://vtr.aec.gov.au/SenateUpdatedByDivision-17496-NAT.htm |title=Most recently updated divisions, Senate: 2013 election, AEC |access-date=30 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031203209/http://vtr.aec.gov.au/SenateUpdatedByDivision-17496-NAT.htm |archive-date=31 October 2013 |url-status=dead }} During the recount it was determined that 1,375 WA Senate ballot papers could not be located.{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/wa-senate-recount-in-turmoil-as-1375-votes-go-missing-20131031-2wjub.html |title=WA Senate recount in turmoil as 1375 votes go missing |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=31 October 2013 |author1=Harrison, Dan |author2=Hurst, Daniel |author3=Ireland, Judith |access-date=13 November 2013 }}{{cite press release |url=http://www.aec.gov.au/media/media-releases/2013/e10-31.htm |title=Australian Electoral Commission statement: WA Senate recount |publisher=AEC |date=31 October 2013 |access-date=13 November 2013 }} After the final recount the result was duly declared which changed the last two predicted WA Senate spots from Palmer and Labor back to Sports and Green. Mick Keelty, a former AFP Commissioner, was requested by the AEC to investigate the issue of the misplaced ballot papers.{{cite news |url=http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2013/11/whats-going-on-with-the-wa-senate-counct.html |title=What's Going on with the WA Senate Count |author-link=Antony Green |author=Green, Antony |work=ABC News |date=3 November 2013 |access-date=13 November 2013 }}{{cite news |url=http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2013/11/wa-senate-contest-comes-down-to-just-1-vote-and-its-one-of-the-missing.html |title=WA Senate Contest Comes Down to Just 1 Vote – and it's one of the Missing |author-link=Antony Green |author=Green, Antony |work=ABC News |date=8 November 2013 |access-date=13 November 2013}} On 15 November, the AEC petitioned the High Court, acting as the Court of Disputed Returns, to seek an order from the court that the WA Senate election of all six senators (3 Liberal, 1 Labor, 1 Green, 1 Sport) be declared void.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/15/senate-recount-electoral-commission-asks-high-court-to-nullify-six-wa-seats |title=Senate recount: electoral commission asks high court to nullify six WA seats |work=The Guardian |location=Australia |author=Murphy, Katherine |date=15 November 2013 |access-date=15 November 2013 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/missing-votes-aec-asks-high-court-to-void-wa-senate-election-20131115-2xlwz.html |title=Missing votes: AEC asks High Court to void WA Senate election |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |author=Ireland, Judith |date=15 November 2013 |access-date=15 November 2013 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-15/aec-election/5095164 |title=Electoral Commission challenges WA Senate result to bring about fresh election |work=ABC News |date=15 November 2013 |access-date=15 November 2013 }} On 18 February 2014, it was announced that the Court of Disputed Returns had found that the result of the Western Australia Senate election should be voided, meaning a fresh election for all six senate vacancies would be required.{{cite web |url=http://www.aec.gov.au/media/media-releases/2014/02-18.htm |title=Statement from the Australian Electoral Commission: Court of Disputed Returns decision |publisher=Australian Electoral Commission |date=18 February 2014 |access-date=30 July 2016}}

{{quotation|The AEC notes that the Court has advised in its written decision issued today that it finds that the only relief appropriate is for the 2013 Western Australian Senate election result to be declared void.......In accordance with the Australian Constitution and the requirements of the Western Australian Election of Senators Act 1903, an election of six senators for Western Australia would occur once a writ has been issued by His Excellency Mr Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC, the Governor of Western Australia.|Australian Electoral Commission, 18 February 2014}}

On 28 February 2014 it was announced that the half-Senate election in Western Australia would take place on 5 April, which returned 3 Liberal, 1 Labor, 1 Green, 1 Palmer.

Members listed in italics did not re-contest their House of Representatives seats at this election.

The Labor Party recorded its lowest two-party preferred vote since 1996 and lowest primary vote since 1931. Kevin Rudd announced his resignation as party leader and confirmed he would not run again in the subsequent leadership election.{{cite news|title=Australia election: Tony Abbott defeats Kevin Rudd|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24000133|date=7 September 2013|access-date=8 September 2013|work=BBC News}}

With Nova Peris's victory in the Senate election in the Northern Territory, she became the first Aboriginal woman to be elected to parliament.{{cite news|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/first-aboriginal-woman-wins-australian-parliament-seat-campaign-brought-racism-1.1445284|title=First aboriginal woman wins Australian parliament seat; campaign brought racism|first=Rod|last=McGuirk|publisher=CTV News|agency=Associated Press|date=8 September 2013|access-date=8 September 2013}} Julian Assange failed to be elected to the Senate after running in Victoria, with his WikiLeaks Party garnering 0.62% of the popular vote.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/08/election-2013-assange-wikileaks-party|title=Julian Assange: WikiLeaks party will continue|newspaper=The Guardian|agency=Australian Associated Press|date=8 September 2013|access-date=9 September 2013}} Former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie, standing in the Liberal-held seat of Forde, also failed to enter parliament.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-08/election-blog-august-8/4872560 |title=As it happened: Day four dominated by return of Peter Beattie, as Rudd-Murdoch war heats up |publisher=Abc.net.au |date=8 August 2013 |access-date=19 March 2018}}

In an unprecedented outcome in Australian electoral history, the Senate result in Western Australia was declared void after the loss of over 1,300 ballot papers, necessitating a fresh election for the Senate in that state.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-04/wa-set-to-head-back-to-polls-in-six-senate-by-elections/5066718 |title=AEC confirms WA Senate election result, apologises over 1,375 lost ballots |work=ABC News |date=4 November 2013 |access-date=5 November 2013}}

Rudd suffered a large swing against him in his seat of Griffith, which was large enough for the LNP candidate, Bill Glasson, to have a higher first-preference vote than Rudd, although Rudd eventually won the seat on preferences.

As of 2025, the 2013 election was the most recent time the Coalition saw an increase in the first preference vote in the House of Representatives.

The Coalition had campaigned on a tough stance on asylum seekers who came to Australia by boat (as had the Labor Party in the final weeks leading up to the election). Immediately after the election, Abbott reiterated his party's promise and announced that his new government would begin Operation Sovereign Borders—which would turn back any vessels carrying asylum seekers—as soon as possible. He also confirmed he would abolish the carbon price that was introduced by the Gillard government,{{cite news|title=Australia's PM-elect Abbott vows quick action on asylum|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24005687|date=8 September 2013|access-date=9 September 2013|work=BBC News}} as well as lower foreign aid by A$4.5 billion.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/australian-election-victorious-tony-abbott-vows-to-cut-foreign-aid-and-tackle-immigration-8803642.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/australian-election-victorious-tony-abbott-vows-to-cut-foreign-aid-and-tackle-immigration-8803642.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Australian election: Victorious Tony Abbott vows to cut foreign aid and tackle immigration|first=Rob|last=Williams|newspaper=The Independent|date=8 September 2013|access-date=9 September 2013|location=London}}{{cbignore}}

{{Expand section|date=June 2024}}

• {{flag|Fiji}}: Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama congratulated Abbott for his victory and hoped he would normalise relations between the two countries after the 2006 Fijian coup d'état, which caused Australia to sanction Fiji.{{cite web | url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/PM-sends-congratulatory-message-to-Tony-Abbott-r59ks2/ | title=PM sends congratulatory message to Tony Abbott }} Bainimarama previously criticised the sanctions and said relations would improve if Abbott replaced Rudd as prime minister.{{cite web | url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=qFSrcb-IX-c | title=Frank Bainimarama criticises Australia and New Zealand | website=YouTube | date=2 March 2012 }} Many Fijian newspapers endorsed Abbott for the election, with the Fiji Sun printing an editorial titled "Abbott for PM".

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist|group=note}}

{{Reflist|refs=

{{refn|name=APH 2013|{{Cite web |last1=Barber |first1=Stephen |date=2014-09-08 |title=Federal Election 2013 |url=https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/library/prspub/1003427/upload_binary/1003427.pdf |work=Research Paper 2014–15 |publisher=Parliamentary Library |issn=2203-5249}}}}

}}

• {{cite book |last1=Johnson |first1=Carol |last2=Wanna |first2=John |last3=Lee |first3=Hsu-Ann |title=Abbott's Gambit: The 2013 Australian Federal Election |url=https://press.anu.edu.au/publications/abbotts-gambit|date=2015 |publisher=ANU Press |isbn=978-1-925022-09-4 |language=en}}

• [http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2012/12/2013-federal-election-calender.html Antony Green's 2013 Federal election calendar]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130318111155/http://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2013/calculator/ Antony Green's 2013 Federal election calculator]
• [http://www.aec.gov.au/Parties_and_Representatives/Party_Registration/Registered_parties/2013.htm Political parties registered for the 2013 federal election] at the Australian Electoral Commission
• [http://www.aec.gov.au/election/downloads.htm Election downloads], including Senate group voting tickets, electorates, parties, etc. at the Australian Electoral Commission
• [https://news.yahoo.com/australias-rudd-concedes-election-defeat-conservative-leader-abbott-115802876--business.html Australia's Rudd concedes election defeat to conservative leader Abbott] – article describing the situation after 80% counted (yahoo)

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{{2013 Australian federal election}}

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Category:Federal elections in Australia