The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Albanese’s right to set crossbenchers’ personal staffing numbers faces scrutiny

  • Written by Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra



Independent Senator David Pocock is seeking to remove the discretion of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to decide the number of extra staff crossbenchers receive.

His case is being reinforced by the delay in the government informing Senator Fatima Payman – who defected from the Labor party in July – of her personal staff allocation.

Each parliamentarian receives five electorate staff (increased from four in 2023). But it is up to the PM how many personal staff they get above that. This has led at times to arguments, long delays and haggling between crossbenchers and the prime minister.

Pocock has two personal staff, the standard number for crossbench senators. (Senator Jacqui Lambie has an extra staffer for her work in relation to the veterans royal commission.)

Payman has written twice to Albanese and Special Minister of State Don Farrell, and on Monday was still waiting for a reply.

Payman says without extra staff she can’t get across the flow of business and legislation in the Senate.

She has appointed the well-known “preference whisperer” Glenn Druery as her chief of staff, but at the moment he is occupying one of her electorate staff spots.

After the election, Albanese clashed with crossbenchers when he cut their staff allocations from the very generous deal they had received under former Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Albanese said the Morrison largesse to crossbenchers was unfair to government and opposition MPs.

Some of the teals were particularly upset. The independent member for Warringah, Zali Steggall, said at the time the prime minister should be stripped of the power to decide MPs’ staffing allocations. “I’m really angry and disappointed with [Albanese],” she said then. The prime minister in turn was said to have been angry at her attack.

Pocock said on Monday the decision on personal staff should be made “independently for all parliamentarians based on a fair assessment of workloads and resourcing needs”.

He said this could be undertaken by the new Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission.

The government will introduce legislation this week to set up commission. It was recommended by Kate Jenkins’ inquiry into Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces. It will be charged with enforcing behaviour codes for parliamentarians, staff and other people in these workplaces. The legislation has been developed in consultation with the cross-party parliamentary leadership taskforce.

Pocock plans to try to amend the legislation on the staffing issue. “Having personal staff be a gift that the prime minister can give or withhold raises issues of integrity, probity and fairness. We have seen this play out over the course of the past few parliaments and on both sides of politics where staffing allocations have been used to both praise and punish,” Pocock said.

In a Monday night ABC Australian Story about her, Payman says of her defection, “I’m definitely at peace with the decision I’ve made”.

Read more https://theconversation.com/albaneses-right-to-set-crossbenchers-personal-staffing-numbers-faces-scrutiny-237031

Times Magazine

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Science Behind Reverse Osmosis and Why It Matters

What is reverse osmosis? Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that removes contaminants by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane. This membrane allows only water molecules to pass through while blocking impurities such as...

Foodbank Queensland celebrates local hero for National Volunteer Week

Stephen Carey is a bit bananas.   He splits his time between his insurance broker business, caring for his young family, and volunteering for Foodbank Queensland one day a week. He’s even run the Bridge to Brisbane in a banana suit to raise mon...

The Times Features

Metal Roof Replacement Cost Per Square Metre in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Australian Homeowners

In recent years, the trend of installing metal roofs has surged across Australia. With their reputation for being both robust and visually appealing, it's easy to understand thei...

Why You’re Always Adjusting Your Bra — and What to Do Instead

Image by freepik It starts with a gentle tug, then a subtle shift, and before you know it, you're adjusting your bra again — in the middle of work, at dinner, even on the couch. I...

How to Tell If Your Eyes Are Working Harder Than They Should Be

Image by freepik Most of us take our vision for granted—until it starts to let us down. Whether it's squinting at your phone, rubbing your eyes at the end of the day, or feeling ...

Ways to Attract Tenants in a Competitive Rental Market

In the kind of rental market we’ve got now, standing out is half the battle. The other half? Actually getting someone to sign that lease. With interest rates doing backflips and ...

Top Tips for Finding the Ideal Block to Build Your Home

There’s something deeply personal and exciting about building your own home. You’re not just choosing paint colours or furniture, you’re creating a space that reflects your lifes...

The Home Buying Process Explained Step by Step

Buying a home is a thrilling milestone, but it can also feel like navigating a maze without a map. With paperwork, finances, and decisions at every turn, understanding the home-b...