Some would have us believe that if Australian voters do not give one party a majority tomorrow, the nation faces a period of instability, even chaos.
But history tells us there is nothing to be afraid of.
In fact, power-sharing parliaments can be effective and successful.
New research from The Australia Institute analyses 25 Australian elections where no one party won a majority.
What would the negotiations to form government look like? Who would be in the cabinet? Who would be speaker? Who would introduce legislation? How would it be scrutinised?
The report, Forming Power Sharing Government, (attached) examines all these issues and many more.
Key findings:
The paper identifies five things to expect from power-sharing negotiations:
- Negotiations may take time
- Negotiations usually draw on many years of parliamentary experience
- Agreements take a variety of forms
- Agreements may be with the unsuccessful major party, too
- Crossbenchers do not have to go with the party that wins more seats
Across power-sharing parliaments, crossbenchers have negotiated for:
- Reforms to parliamentary process and procedure: These include dedicated time for private members' bills to be debated and voted upon; more productive Question Times; greater committee scrutiny of the government; fixed parliamentary terms; and Parliamentary Library expansions.
- Staff: In a power-sharing parliament, crossbenchers are a potential deciding vote on every motion and every piece of legislation. Crossbench negotiations often include new staffing arrangements, either on an ad hoc basis or by setting consistent rules.
- Policy reforms: Policy reform areas include elections, integrity, civil rights, support for the regions and environmental and climate policy, among many others.
- Positions: Speaker or ministerial positions are often allocated to crossbenchers.
And what can be expected of the power-sharing parliament that results?
- The parliament is likely to see out the full term
- Power-sharing parliaments help enforce ministerial responsibility
- Opportunities for crossbencher bills and amendments
- Negotiations may continue through the Parliament
- Power-sharing governments are competitive at the next election
"With about one in three Australians voting for a minor party or independent, it is a live possibility that Australians will elect a power-sharing parliament tomorrow," said Bill Browne, Director of The Australia Institute's Democracy & Accountability Program.
"The Australia Institute has looked at 25 previous power-sharing parliaments, elected federally and in states and territories, to see what we might expect from negotiations with minor parties and independents.
"There is no strict rule for how power-sharing parliaments must conduct themselves, but it is common for crossbenchers to negotiate parliamentary reforms, policy commitments, more staff and resources and for crossbenchers to hold ministries or the speakership.
"It is under power sharing parliaments that the ACT adopted truth in political advertising laws, whistleblower protections were achieved in NSW, the Royalties for Regions package distributed mining and petroleum royalties to WA regional communities, the ACT achieved 100% renewable energy and Tasmania passed one of the most progressive freedom of information acts in the country.
"At the federal level, the 2010-2013 power sharing parliament and Gillard Labor Government passed legislation at a higher rate than any other, including ambitious legislation like the NDIS, Clean Energy Future Package, cigarette plain packaging and expanding Medicare to dental for children."
