I’m going to use the move of Barnaby Joyce from the Nationals to One Nation as my example for this post. I really think that the AEC (and all state electoral commissions) needs to bring in a rule whereby in the instance of an elected MP or Senator either choosing to change parties or being ejected from a party, a by-election must be held within a set period of time - maybe 30 days or so. It’s not fair for the constituents Barnaby Joyce represents to have voted for him on the understanding he was part of the Nationals and their election platform only for him to now join the One Nation party. The same goes for Lidia Thorpe and her constituents. Such changes should automatically trigger a by-election to ensure the interests of constituents and of the incumbent political party being protected.

Forget Barnaby Joyce - he's still a conservative.

By- elections for grubs Lydia Thorpe & Fatima Payman. 

And if that means staying the course then maybe Jackie Lambie.

I’m in favour for the fact it allows people to reconsider their vote.
I do believe it should include those that resign from a party to sit as an independent?

It would require a change by referendum to the Constitution.  Parties are only mention once, on random vacancies to Senate seats, made after Joh's antics in 1975.  Tsk, tsk, tsk... 

I see your point Bobby and it’s a great one.

I have always wondered after reading about the super Saturday by elections that had to happen because of our politicians lied on being sworn into government that they weren’t duel citizens.

Why do we have to pay for their lies!

I suggest while we are discussing this topic include if a politician chooses to change stripes and not resign then they should fun the costs of the by election they are responsible for being called?

Thoughts?

Bobby. wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2026 at 6:53pm:


The reason for the politician choosing to leave the party or being ejected from the party is irrelevant. The people voted for that person based on their views and party affiliation. If the politician changes their mind then it should go to a by-election. If the people still support them after changing parties the that’s their choice but the should get a say in that change. In my opinion, it’s essential.

It will be interesting to see what happens when the report is presented this year on increasing the number of politicians.

Of course a report like that will not sit on the desk for months but be acted on straight away!

So with as many as 60 new politicians/ pigs to the trough the redrawing of the political map will be no doubt done to ensure labor will always be with the upper hand?