Overview
- 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.