Teals say electoral reform rollback could be key in hung parliament negotiations
Crossbenchers have long warned that the electoral reforms, set to become law this week, are designed to curb the rise of independents.
Independents have left the door open to making a repeal of Labor’s electoral reforms a key condition in hung parliament negotiations, with the package set to pass the Senate on Wednesday night.
Labor has framed the reforms as the most significant update to Australia’s election rules in four decades and a means to prevent billionaires from wielding outsized influence over democracy.
The major parties finally secured a deal on Wednesday after the reforms hit a roadblock in the final sitting week of last year. Crossbenchers view the package as an attempt to curb the rise of independents.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton may need to rely on supply from independents if, as polls suggest is increasingly likely, Australians deliver a hung parliament at this year’s federal election.
