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

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.