‘Recent phenomenon’:Albanese doubles down on cuts to crossbench staff numbers

‘Recent phenomenon’:Albanese doubles down on cuts to crossbench staff numbers

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says it isn’t the case that crossbench politicians have to do more work than major party backbenchers and so need more staff.

  • byKatina Curtis

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First misstep? Albanese infuriates the new crossbench he will need to pass laws

First misstep? Albanese infuriates the new crossbench he will need to pass laws

Anthony Albanese led negotiations with the crossbench between 2010 and 2013. Now he’s thumbed his nose at the new batch of independents,some of whom he will need to pass laws.

  • byJames Massola
Crossbench fury as government cuts staffers from four to one

Crossbench fury as government cuts staffers from four to one

The Senate’s new kingmaker,David Pocock,said the decision was “bad for democracy and terrible for transparency”.

  • byKatina Curtis
Palmer splashed $31m on ads during six-week election campaign

Palmer splashed $31m on ads during six-week election campaign

Clive Palmer spent more than $5 million a week on advertising between the election being called on April 10 and the broadcast blackout at midnight on May 18,Nielsen figures show – more than the Labor and Liberal parties combined.

  • byLisa Visentin
Zali Steggall calls for female speaker and parliamentary reform

Zali Steggall calls for female speaker and parliamentary reform

The independent Warringah MP has backed independent MP for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie for the speaker’s job as two male Labor MPs vie for the role.

  • byLisa Visentin
New House,new rules:Government should expedite parliamentary reform

New House,new rules:Government should expedite parliamentary reform

After an election that has delivered such a different-looking chamber,improving parliamentary processes should be a priority for the incoming government.

  • byZali Steggall
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Steggall and Pocock prove sport and politics do mix ... and there’s more to come

Steggall and Pocock prove sport and politics do mix ... and there’s more to come

Informed views on topics affecting society and the traits learned in top-notch sport are proving a strong combination in the political sphere.

  • byPeter FitzSimons
Teals,Greens push Labor to go further to combat climate change

Teals,Greens push Labor to go further to combat climate change

Labor has declared the climate wars over but a new tussle has emerged with new Greens and independent MPs to push for more action to cut carbon pollution.

  • byMike Foley
In politics,money talks,and loudly

In politics,money talks,and loudly

Fundraiser cocktail parties,lunches and dinners raise hundreds of thousands of dollars,typically paid by property developers,lobbyists and sundry business figures to get close access to senior ministers and leaders from state and federal parliaments.

  • byJon Faine
‘Not my fault’ if moderate Liberals lose seats:Katherine Deves

‘Not my fault’ if moderate Liberals lose seats:Katherine Deves

The controversial Liberal candidate for Warringah accused her party colleagues of “not reading the room” on the issue of women’s-only sport.

  • byLatika Bourke
Dirty tricks aimed at teal independents are focus of AEC’s integrity taskforce

Dirty tricks aimed at teal independents are focus of AEC’s integrity taskforce

Corflutes promoting independents across the country were defaced in a dirty tricks campaign last week.

  • byShane Wright