Labor delays lifting number of NT and ACT senators, even though it has support
The government has shelved a commitment in its 2023 platform, despite having the numbers to pass it now.
Sixteen of the 20 crossbench senators would vote to double the number of NT and ACT representatives in the upper house, giving the government enough support to pass the plan.
Yet Labor has still decided to shelve the proposal, which was part of its 2023 national conference platform, until after the election due to a lack of support from the Coalition.
ACT Independent Senator David Pocock, a long-term champion of the policy, has urged the government to strike now while it has a favourable Senate, with the idea backed by the Greens and a handful of crossbenchers.
“It is both disingenuous and factually inaccurate to claim there isn’t a path through the Parliament for additional territory senators,” Pocock told Capital Brief.
