One-third of people believe the next Senate should have more or the same number of crossbenchers, according to polling done for the Australia Institute, a progressive think tank. This compares with 28% who would like to see fewer. There was… Read More »Partisan divide over Senate crossbenchers
The government is making a major change to its legislation to reform the Senate voting system after a recommendation from a brief parliamentary inquiry. Optional preferential voting will be brought in for below-the-line voting, to match the original plan in… Read More »Government agrees to change its Senate voting reforms as Shorten replaces Gary Gray
Family First senator Bob Day is set to propose an amendment to the legislation changing the Senate voting system that would prevent the government using the new rules in a double dissolution. Under the amendment, the changes would not come… Read More »Crossbench move to push Senate changes beyond double-dissolution date
The government is set to secure reforms to the Senate voting system that will squeeze out “micro”-players. Immediately after the changes were announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Special Minister of State Mathias Cormann, the Greens welcomed the move… Read More »Government set to change Senate voting in bad news for ‘micros’
While the government boasts about engaging the community on the tax issue, it has avoided public debate as it seeks to muster the numbers for voting changes that would have sweeping implications for the Senate’s future composition. Yet it is… Read More »Changes to Senate voting may be needed but should not be rushed
The polling sends a strong message: Malcolm Turnbull starts his prime ministership with people wanting to think the best of him. Essential has found people believe Turnbull is intelligent (81%), hardworking (71%), a capable leader (70%) and understands the problems… Read More »Will Senate voting reform end up in the too-hard basket?