The Labor Party looks on track to govern with a majority of at least 76 seats in the House of Representatives.
On Monday night, the ABC called the South Melbourne seat of Macnamara for incumbent Labor MP Josh Burns, pushing Labor into a position where it can govern with a majority. It also looks like Labor could win one more seat, Gilmore on the NSW south coast, where Fiona Phillips has edged slightly ahead of Liberal Andrew Constance.
In Macnamara, Josh Burns has been in a tight contest with Greens’ candidate Steph Hodgins-May and Liberal Colleen Harkin. The seat of Deakin is also still in doubt, with Liberal Michael Sukkar ahead of the Labor candidate Matt Gregg by about 600 votes, as counting continues.
A majority in the House of Representatives means the Albanese government would not need the votes of the crossbench to pass legislation. However, Albanese has noted he plans to work “constructively” with the expanded crossbench, now filled with an increased number of community-backed independents.
The 47th parliament will have a record number of politicians on the crossbench, with at least 16 seats. Currently, it looks like there will 4 Greens MPs and 12 independents (or other minor party MPs). After suffering a landslide election defeat, the Coalition has won just 57 seats.
Labor’s result of at least 76 seats means the party will have its first majority in the House of Representatives since Kevin Rudd’s government formed in 2007.
Despite Labor’s majority win, the party’s national primary vote came in at just 32.8 per cent, while one in three Australians chose to give their vote to an independent or minor party. With only slim majority, Albanese will need to keep the crossbench onside because it’s common for government numbers to change during a three-year term.
Dr Monique Ryan, the new independent MP for Kooyong said she hopes the Albanese government will choose to meaningfully engage with the crossbench.
“Although Labor will likely have a small but clear majority in the House of Representatives, it will not in the Senate, I hope and believe that Mr Albanese will engage meaningfully with the cross bench in both houses,” Dr Ryan told Women’s Agenda.
“He’s indicated that he wants to work collaboratively and positively, and it will be important for him to demonstrate a commitment to that by allowing debate on the important issues on which Australians have changed government; climate, integrity and gender equity – all areas in which the crossbench has much to contribute. Our government will be better if all have a voice in it.”
Speaking to Women’s Agenda prior to the election, North Sydney independent Kylea Tink said the new government should move towards a consensus building approach to improve standards in the House of Representatives.
“The Australian democracy has moved to a point now where it is so confrontational that both major parties like to have the whole of control,” Tink said. “They like to know that for next three years, they can drive an agenda without criticism or without a force to stand against them.”
“Introducing the crossbench enables us to bring the conversation back in, to make sure that all opinions are being aired and discussed and we are working towards consensus.”
Returning independent MPs Helen Haines and Zali Steggall have each urged the Albanese to reform processes in the House of Representatives to ensure debate is relevant and balanced.
In an opinion piece today, Steggall said she was “quite shocked” by the lack of genuine debate in the House during the Morrison government. She has suggested installing a female speaker, and backed Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie for the role.
Meanwhile Helen Haines has suggested Dorothy Dixers, which are prepared questions and answers, should be banned in the House of Representatives, and also wants a minimum of four crossbench questions in question time, and one day of private members’ business every sitting week.