Australian Senate Passes Electoral Reform, Angering Crossbench MPs

Labor and Coalition unite to pass restrictions on political donations, sparking backlash from independents and minor parties.

The Australian Senate passed new electoral reform laws late Wednesday night, restricting large political donations and capping campaign spending.
Labor and the Coalition collaborated to push the legislation through, drawing criticism from crossbench MPs who claim the changes unfairly disadvantage independents.
Teal MPs and Greens described the reforms as an attempt by major parties to maintain their dominance, labeling the move a 'political stitch-up.'
The reforms include real-time donation disclosures, a lower threshold for donation reporting, and a $90 million cap on national party campaign spending.
Independent and minor party MPs, including Zali Steggall and Jacqui Lambie, expressed concerns that the changes would reduce diversity in parliamentary representation.