Motley parliaments

Good crossbenchers take into account how individual decisions add up.  Do they support spending cuts to balance their desires for increased spending in their pet areas?  Do they have a view on the overall size of government, the tax burden and government debt?  If they achieved all their sought‑after protections of society and the environment, what would be the overall impact on jobs and prosperity? 

Above all, the quality of crossbenchers depends on their willingness to compromise and accept that they won’t achieve everything they want.  Nick Xenophon cut deals, Jacqui Lambie did not.  Nick Xenophon sometimes voted for the government’s agenda while racking up personal achievements.  Jacqui didn’t. 

We’ll also get better government if both major parties are willing to compromise to get things done.  The born-to-rule attitude of the Liberals under Tony Abbott hurt them in the Senate.  In contrast, Scott Morrison’s deal-making as a minister augurs well for his time as Prime Minister.  On the other side, Labor are consummate deal makers and can be expected to do whatever it takes to navigate the motley parliaments of the future.

>Our future governments and parliaments might not be a disaster, but only if we elect parliamentarians, from both minor and major parties, who are willing to cut a deal.