Senate composition at 12 June 1951 Government (32) - (2 seat majority) Liberal (26) Country Party (6)
[1] The 28 April 1951 election was a double dissolution called by Prime Minister of Australia Robert Menzies in an attempt to gain control of the Senate and to pass the Commonwealth Bank Bill,[2] if necessary at a joint sitting of both houses.
In accordance with section 13 of the Constitution,[3] terms for senators was taken to commence on 1 July 1950.
The first five senators elected in each state were allocated the full six-year terms ending on 30 June 1956 while the other half were allocated three-year terms ending on 30 June 1953.
[4] The Commonwealth Bank Bill was presented to Parliament again on 26 June 1951 and passed both houses.