Page:Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act (The Constitution) as at 2013.pdf/18

Chapter I The Parliament Part II The Senate

Section 16

 Representatives to expire or be dissolved after that law came into operation; or

(b) if the senator elected by the people of the State had a term of service expiring on the thirtieth day of June, One thousand nine hundred and eighty-one—until the expiration or dissolution of the second House of Representatives to expire or be dissolved after that law came into operation or, if there is an earlier dissolution of the Senate, until that dissolution. 

16 Qualifications of senator The qualifications of a senator shall be the same as those of a member of the House of Representatives.

17 Election of President The Senate shall, before proceeding to the despatch of any other business, choose a senator to be the President of the Senate; and as often as the office of President becomes vacant the Senate shall again choose a senator to be the President.

The President shall cease to hold his office if he ceases to be a senator. He may be removed from office by a vote of the Senate, or he may resign his office or his seat by writing addressed to the Governor-General.

18 Absence of President Before or during any absence of the President, the Senate may choose a senator to perform his duties in his absence.

19 Resignation of senator A senator may, by writing addressed to the President, or to the Governor-General if there is no President or if the President is absent from the Commonwealth, resign his place, which thereupon shall become vacant. 8