What happens next for Green Party

Following the sudden death of co-leader Rod Donald, the Green Party must work out how to replace him in Parliament.


The procedure is as follows: 

* A vacancy will be declared by the Speaker in a few days and must be filled "forthwith" according the Electoral Act.

* The next person on the Greens list, former MP Nandor Tanczos, has the right to be the next Green MP.

* After him is former MP Mike Ward, then Catherine Delahunty and Russel Norman.

* The new MP is sworn in.

* The Greens could delay a co-leadership vote until it is next due constitutionally, at the annual meeting in June 2006.