Does minority government = chaos?

How do you determine who governs?

Negotiating over legislation

The growing popularity of independents

Electoral law changes

Polls point to a power-sharing government being the most likely outcome at the upcoming federal election, but how do they actually work?

Independent Senator David Pocock and Tony Windsor AM, former independent parliamentarian who held the balance of power during the Gillard minority government, join Amy Remeikis to discuss how they negotiate with the major parties, the growth of the independent and minor party vote, and why there’s so much fearmongering about minority governments in Australia.

This discussion was recorded live on Wednesday 26 February 2025 and things may have changed since recording.

Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

Guest: Senator David Pocock, Independent Senator for the Australian Capital Territory // @davidpocock

Guest: Tony Windsor AM, former Independent Member for New England // @TonyHWindsor

Host: Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, the Australia Institute // @amyremeikis

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

Show notes:

Power sharing in Australian parliaments by Bill Browne and Richard Denniss, the Australia Institute (July 2024)

Electoral Reform Bill analysis by Bill Browne and Joshua Black, the Australia Institute (February 2025)

Theme music: 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. 

Polls point to a power-sharing government being the most likely outcome at the upcoming federal election, but how do they actually work?
Independent Senator David Pocock and Tony Windsor AM, former independent parliamentarian who held the balance of power during the Gillard minority government, join Amy Remeikis to discuss how they negotiate with the major parties, the growth of the independent and minor party vote, and why there&rsquo;s so much fearmongering about minority governments in Australia.
This discussion was recorded live on Wednesday 26 February 2025 and things may have changed since recording.
Order <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/Whats-the-Big-Idea-p697420081">What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia</a> now, via the Australia Institute website.
Guest: Senator David Pocock, Independent Senator for the Australian Capital Territory // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/davidpocock.bsky.social">@davidpocock</a>
Guest: Tony Windsor AM, former Independent Member for New England // <a href="https://x.com/TonyHWindsor">@TonyHWindsor</a>
Host: Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/amyremeikis.bsky.social">@amyremeikis</a>
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/ebonybennett.bsky.social">@ebonybennett</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/power-sharing-in-australian-parliament/">Power sharing in Australian parliaments</a> by Bill Browne and Richard Denniss, the Australia Institute (July 2024)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/electoral-reform-bill-analysis/">Electoral Reform Bill analysis</a> by Bill Browne and Joshua Black, the Australia Institute (February 2025)
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions&nbsp;
We&rsquo;d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>.

Economics and politics explained in plain English

Economics and politics explained in plain English

Follow The Money

Economics, politics and policy explained in plain English.

Economics, politics and policy explained in plain English.

Polls point to a power-sharing government being the most likely outcome at the upcoming federal election, but how do they actually work?

Advertisement