40 Bills in a Day: Labor Government Faces Backlash Over ‘Guillotine Tactics’

On the Senate’s final sitting day of the year, MPs spent the morning debating how to work through the 40 bills.

Australian Finance and Women Minister Katy Gallagher holds a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on May 9, 2023. Martin Ollman/Getty Images

The Labor government has been criticised for potentially undermining parliamentary transparency as MPs contend with trying to work through an “unprecedented” 40 bills in a single day.

The massive legislative push has spurred criticism from independents and the federal opposition.