A matter of preference

featuring Bill Browne and Ebony Bennett
Independent member for North Sydney Kylea Tink, Independent member for Mackellar Sophie Scamps, Independent member for Wentworth Allegra Spender, Independent member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie and Independent Member for Indi Helen Haines at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, November 28, 2023.
AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

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Labor won big and the Coalition got “smashed”, but the major parties have never been more reliant on preferences.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Bill Browne joins Ebony Bennett discuss the extraordinary scale of Labor’s victory in the May federal election, what the devastating result might mean for the Coalition, and why a large crossbench in federal parliament could be here to stay.

Guest: Bill Browne, Director of Democracy & Accountability, the Australia Institute // @browne90

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett

Show notes:

Major parties have never relied more on preferences, the Australia Institute (June 2025)

For major party leaders, the Greens, independents and minor parties are the closest threat, the Australia Institute (June 2025)

The 2025 federal election is the first where a major party received fewer votes than independents and minor parties, the Australia Institute (June 2025)

Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.

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Full preferential voting is a proud Coalition reform – one that benefits every political persuasion Compulsory voting and full preferential voting make up the backbone of Australian democracy, and protect us from voter suppression and disengagement seen in other countries. We owe both to the parties of the centre-right, what would become the Liberal–National Coalition.