In any democracy, elections are the cornerstone that gives citizens the power to choose their leaders and shape the future of their country. For Australians, voting is not just a right but a vital part of holding our government accountable and ensuring our voices are heard.
As election season heats up, you might hear much talk about ‘hung parliaments’ and ‘minority governments’. But what does it mean if no party wins outright, and how could it affect your everyday life?
Let’s break down the facts, the history, and what it could mean for Australians, especially those of us who’ve seen a few governments come and go.
Polls indicate the potential for a minority government or a ‘hung’ parliament.
This scenario allows the leaders of the major parties, Labor and the Liberal/National Coalition, to collaborate with crossbenchers, comprising independents, Greens, and members of minor parties, to build a diverse and dynamic government.
‘We are staring down the barrel of minority government this time,’ Paul Williams, an associate professor of politics and journalism at Griffith University, said.
Graeme Orr, a specialist in electoral law from the University of Queensland, indicated that as the primary votes for the major parties fall below 30 per cent, candidates outside the major parties are more likely to be elected.
‘I think we have to be more adult about it and accept the fact that not only [will there be] more minority governments in Australia…We [also] need parties to adjust to this idea of negotiating,’ he explained.
In Australia, the party (or coalition) that wins the majority of seats in the House of Representatives forms government. With 151 seats up for grabs, a party needs at least 76 to govern alone.
But what happens if no party reaches that magic number? That’s when we get a ‘hung parliament’, and the possibility of a minority government.
A minority government is formed when the party with the most seats doesn’t have a majority, but can still govern with the support of independents or minor parties—often called the ‘crossbench’.
This support can be formal (with written agreements) or informal (case-by-case backing).
Negotiation is key to a minority government. The major party with the most seats must secure enough support from crossbenchers to survive crucial votes, especially on ‘confidence and supply’.
Confidence means a no-confidence motion won’t topple the government, while supply means it can pass its budget and keep the country running.
This ensures that they will back the government if a ‘no confidence’ motion is brought forward in parliament and will endorse appropriation bills that permit the government to disburse funds, often referred to as ‘supply’.
Crossbenchers might promise to support the government on these two essentials, but reserve the right to vote however they like on other issues. This can make for lively, unpredictable politics.
‘The one thing that can bring down a government that otherwise has numbers is if it can’t get the budget through parliament,’ Orr said.
Many Australians hear ‘hung parliament’ and think of chaos or instability. But is that necessarily the case?
Political experts point out that minority governments are common in other countries. New Zealand, for example, has had seven minority governments in the past decade, and its democracy is still ticking along just fine.
Minority governments can encourage more negotiation, compromise, and a wider range of voices in parliament.
As Professor Richard Shaw from New Zealand puts it: ‘You have more views at the cabinet table, and if they’re not at the cabinet table, then they’re in ministerial positions outside of cabinet.’
‘So more variety, I guess, more diversity, more voters seeing their points of view represented in government.’
A brief history: Minority governments in Australia
While the majority governments are the norm in Australia, minority governments aren’t unheard of. The first three Australian governments after Federation were minorities, before the party system solidified.
More recently, you might remember the Gillard Government (2010–2013), which relied on support from independents and Greens.
While it was sometimes messy, it also saw the passage of significant legislation, including the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and carbon pricing.
‘We had a minority government partly in the Turnbull area, but also in the Gillard era. It’s becoming more common because fewer and fewer people are locked on to voting either Labor or Liberal National,’ Orr explained.
For everyday Australians, a minority government can mean:
- More negotiation and compromise in parliament can slow down or water down legislation, but it can also mean more thorough debate and consideration.
- Greater influence for independents and minor parties, who may push for policies that wouldn’t otherwise get a look-in.
- Potential for more frequent elections, if the government can’t maintain confidence and supply, though this is rare.
While minority governments can be unpredictable, they’re a regular part of democracy. They can even lead to more responsive, representative government—provided our politicians are willing to negotiate in good faith.
Orr said, ‘We need parties to adjust to this idea of negotiating.’ In other words, it’s time to embrace a bit of grown-up politics.’
Have you lived through a minority government before? Did you notice any difference in how the country was run? Do you think more independents in parliament are good, or do you prefer the stability of majority rule? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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