Australia Election Date Announced Sunday Aug 4,2013

Kevin Rudd, the Australian Prime Minister, has named September 7,2013 as the date for his country's next parliamentary polls, six weeks after he took over the leadership from former Prime Minister Julia Gillard

At the 2013 Australian federal election on September 7,2013 members will be elected for the 44th Parliament of Australia

About Australian Parliament

The Parliament is Bicameral -
House of Representatives(Lower House)-has 150 Seats
The Senate(Upper House)-has 76 Seats

  
Parties Position in the Current Parliament

In the 2010 Parliament Election,Labor and Liberal/National Coalition each won 72 Seats in the 150-Seat House of Representatives, 4 seats short of the requirement for Majority Govt

One member of the Australian Greens
One member of the National Party of Western Australia and
Four Independents
held the balance of power

Labor was able to form a Minority Govt  with a 76–74 margin after securing the support of One member of the Australian Greens and three independents

2013 Australian Federal Election -Key Dates

•  Governor General Quentin Bryce accepted Australian PM Kevin Rudd's advice to dissolve Parliament and hold a general election - Sunday August 4,2013
• Prorogation of 43rd Parliament - 5.29 pm Monday 5 August 2013
• Dissolution of House of Representatives - 5.30 pm Monday 5 August 2013
• Issue of writs - Monday August  5,2013
• Close of rolls - 8 pm Monday August 12, 2013
• Close of candidate nominations - 12 pm Thursday August 15,2013
• Declaration of candidate nominations - 12 pm Friday August16, 2013
• Election day - Saturday September 7,2013
• Last day for the return of writs - Wednesday November 13,2013
• Deadline for first meeting of the 44th Parliament