Bills — Members of Parliament (Staff) Amendment (Providing Certainty and Improving Integrity) Bill 2025; Second Reading

Senate · 3 Sept 2025 · 09:30
Passed by a small majority
40
Yes (ayes)
23
No (noes)
The question is that the second reading amendment moved by Senator Waters be agreed to.

See it for yourself

This vote was on this bill. Read the official text:
Members of Parliament (Staff) Amendment (Providing Certainty and Improving Integrity) Bill 2025
Private senator's bill by Michaelia Cash (Liberal), Ralph Babet (UAP), Pauline Hanson (One Nation), Fatima Payman (Australia's Voice), introduced in the Senate
Michaelia Cash's profile ›Ralph Babet's profile ›Pauline Hanson's profile ›Fatima Payman's profile ›
Read the bill (PDF) ›
Bill as introduced (first reading), aph.gov.au
Explanatory memorandum (PDF) ›
The sponsor's explanation of the bill, aph.gov.au
Official Hansard record (PDF) ›
Senate, 3 Sept 2025. The division is at 09:30. Parliament of Australia
Official documents from aph.gov.au and legislation.gov.au, checked 21 October 2026.

What was debated in Parliament

Summarised using AI from the official Hansard transcript of the debate only. It is not a record of the debate and may leave things out. Read the Hansard below to check it.
This Coalition bill would set minimum numbers of personal staff for the Opposition, larger non-government parties and independents, so the Prime Minister could give more but not less. The debate focused on recent cuts to Opposition and crossbench staff, and whether staffing should depend on the Prime Minister's choice. No government senators spoke in the debate.
Arguments made in support
Coalition senators said the Prime Minister has full discretion over non-government staff, with no minimums, criteria, review or appeal.
Supporters said cutting Opposition and crossbench staff reduces their ability to read bills, consult and question the government.
One Nation, Senator Payman and Senator Babet said crossbench staff were cut unevenly, with no reasons given and no consultation.
Supporters said the bill only sets a floor and leaves the government in control of total staff numbers.
Speakers cited reviews finding staff workloads in some offices were too high and raised health and safety concerns.
Arguments made against, or for changes
The Greens said they share concerns about staffing but the bill entrenches the power of the major parties.
The Greens said the model does not reflect how people voted, including the share of votes for minor parties.
The Greens said it could give independents large resources regardless of workload and encourage members to leave their parties.
The Greens moved an amendment calling on the government to work with everyone on a fair, independent staffing model.
23 speeches by 13 members in the Senate over 3 sitting days.
Hansard: Senate, 25 Aug 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 28 Aug 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 3 Sept 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Every recorded vote on Members of Parliament (Staff) Amendment (Providing Certainty and Improving Integrity) Bill 2025
›

How each party voted

Labor
0 Yes
23 No
6–
Liberal
14 Yes
0 No
6–
Greens
8 Yes
0 No
1–
Nationals
3 Yes
0 No
One Nation
3 Yes
0 No
Independent
2 Yes
0 No
CLP
1 Yes
0 No
LNP
1 Yes
0 No
1–
Lambie
1 Yes
0 No
UAP
1 Yes
0 No
Australia's Voice
1 Yes
0 No
The last column counts members who did not vote. Party counts are for current members.
5 votes were cast by people who have since left Parliament.

No rebels

Every party member who voted went with the majority of their party.
Source: Hansard, Senate, 3 Sept 2025
Parliament of Australia, via OpenAustralia Foundation · checked 14 October 2026