New look Senate taking shape as counting continues in 2016 Federal Election

DERRYN Hinch, Jacqui Lambie and Pauline Hanson help make up Australia’s new Senate, described by commentators as a “circus”.

“IT’S TIME to keep the bastards honest.”

Those are the words of Derryn Hinch who, alongside Jacqui Lambie and Pauline Hanson, will likely form a new look Australian Senate described by one political commentator as “a circus”.

Early counting suggests the trio will join as many as three members of the Nick Xenophon team, though a final count could take weeks.

Of 76 Senate seats, estimates suggest the Coalition will win at least 29, Labor 25 and the Greens nine.

The new cohort of crossbenchers have already promised to work together and engage constructively for the good of the nation, even if they’re not on the same page.

Pauline Hanson is back. Picture: Dan Peled/AAP

Senator Xenephon promised to “do my best” to work with the One Nation leader despite disagreeing with her anti-immigration stance.

“Even if I fundamentally disagree with someone, if they’re elected to the parliament I will do my best to engage with them constructively without compromising my beliefs,” he said on Sunday morning.

But not everybody is convinced. Insiders host Barry Cassidy said the Senate was already looking like a circus.

“The Prime Minister called a double dissolution,” he said. “Now let’s have a look at the result of that handiwork.

.@barriecassidy examines the senate vote and says you'll need a circus tent to house it #Insiders #ausvotes #auspol https://t.co/IPId8MWS20

— Insiders ABC (@InsidersABC) July 2, 2016

“Fred Nile is in there, and you have Pauline Hanson and Derryn Hinch. They will have to erect a circus stand on the lawns of Parliament House ... That’s quite an assortment.”

The Courier Mail’s national affairs editor Dennis Atkins told the program passing legislation would be even trickier than it has been.

“This is a stranger Senate than the one before,” he said. “And when it comes to just about anything you name, trying to get legislation with that crowd is going to be a nightmare.”

Journalist Niki Savva echoed that sentiment.

“(Turnbull) will have to try and work with an even more bizarre Senate. So it’s going to be, you know, a really, really difficult time.”

Jacqui Lambie’s party has won 8.6 per cent of the vote and will get at least one seat. Picture: Chris Kidd

Mr Hinch said he was feeling “humbled” to have secured a spot in parliament. The 72-year-old known as the Human Headline said he plans to establish a national public register of convicted sex offenders.

The former 3AW radio host spent time in prison twice for detailing the criminal histories of convicted sex offenders.

Atkins said the Senate was full of such dynamic, controversial characters now that Hanson “looks like one of the crowd”.

“She doesn’t look so weird anymore,” he said. “Plus, people have forgotten the flame-out.”