Members of the Australian Senate, 1901–1903
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This is a list of the members of the Australian Senate in the First Australian Parliament, which was elected on 29 March 1901.[1][2] There were 36 senators in this initial parliament. Terms were deemed to start on 1 January 1901. In accordance with section 13 of the Constitution,[3] the Senate resolved that in each State the three senators who received the most votes would sit for a six-year term, finishing on 31 December 1906 while the other half would sit for a three-year term, finishing on 31 December 1903.[4] The process for filing of casual vacancies was complex, with an initial appointment followed by an election.[lower-alpha 1] The status of political parties varied, being national,[lower-alpha 2] State based,[lower-alpha 3] and informal.[lower-alpha 4][lower-alpha 9]
Senate composition at March 1901
Protectionist (11)
Labour (8)
Free Trade (17)
George Pearce, who died in 1952, was the last surviving member of the 1901-1903 Senate. Robert Best was the last surviving Protectionist member, and John Clemons was the last surviving Free Trade member.