Tie-break and reasons why

Day 1,530, 21:09 Published in Australia Australia by Lord TJ

Oh the irony!

I have just advised the Senate on my change of vote, given it has resulted in a tie and my candidate was not among the top tier.

Given the circumstances surrounding the ballot, and choosing the lesser of two evils, I will now cast my vote. In doing so, I take no delight in voting either way, but the Senate must go on. The decision has been reached based on the only yard stick that matters - who the Senate is more stable with in terms of history and how it will judge us. Democracy speaks at its loudest when we're in a hung parliament and puts us to the test.

In this instance it's better the devil you know that the one you don't.

As such, I cast my vote for the Hon. Senator Flatty to become the next Speaker of the Senate.

TJ NORTON
SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND (ANP)