The Labor government could have trouble fulfilling its domestic agenda after crossbench MPs threatened to block all government legislation in the Senate after cuts were made to staffing entitlements.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese informed crossbench MPs and senators on June 24 that they would only be allowed to hire one parliamentary staffer (a senior adviser) along with four electoral office staff.
Under the previous Morrison government, independents could hire four parliamentary staff each—two advisers and two assistant advisers—on top of their four electoral staff.
Speaking to ABC radio on June 27, Albanese said that independent MPs and senators would be serviced by more staff compared to MPs from the major parties, and they would also receive higher salaries….