7.
Question (b)
If the answer to Question (a) is "yes", by what means and in what manner that vacancy should be filled?
Answer
There should be a by-election for the election of the Member for New England.
Question (c)
What directions and other orders, if any, should the Court make in order to hear and finally dispose of this reference?
Answer
Unnecessary to answer.
Question (d)
What, if any, orders should be made as to the costs of these proceedings?
Answer
Unnecessary to answer.
Matter No C17/2017
The questions referred to the Court of Disputed Returns by the President of the Senate in his letter dated 5 September 2017 be answered as follows:
Question (a)
Whether, by reason of s 44(i) of the Constitution, there is a vacancy in the representation of New South Wales in the Senate for the place for which Senator [the Hon] Fiona Nash was returned?
Answer
There is a vacancy by reason of s 44(i) of the Constitution in the representation of New South Wales in the Senate for the place for which Senator the Hon Fiona Nash was returned.
