A ‘Political Weapon’: Opposition Seeks to Strip Prime Minister’s Power Over Staffing Numbers

Albanese has cut staff from both independents and Coalition MPs.
A ‘Political Weapon’: Opposition Seeks to Strip Prime Minister’s Power Over Staffing Numbers
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. Lukas Coch/AAP Image via AP
|Updated:
0:00

Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash has accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of attempting to use staffing numbers as a “political weapon,” after the Coalition moved a bill to remove the leader’s power to determine staffing levels.

Albanese has cut staff from both independents and Coalition MPs, with the Coalition now presenting a bill that would prevent a prime minister from having absolute discretion over staffing numbers.

Crystal-Rose Jones
Crystal-Rose Jones
Author
Crystal-Rose Jones is a reporter based in Australia. She previously worked at News Corp for 16 years as a senior journalist and editor.