He is the second Coalition MP to defect to the crossbench this term. The other is Andrew Gee, who left the Nationals over the party’s opposition to the Voice. The crossbench in the House now numbers 18.
Russell Broadbent said on Wednesday that the message being sent was that ‘little people don’t count’ and ‘my resignations were to make the point that they do’.
After his disastrous ‘captain’s call’ Bronwyn Bishop, Tony Abbott has indicated that those aspiring to succeed her as speaker can fight it out to get the numbers among their peers.
Ben Macmahon/AAP
The glittering prize of the speakership is dangling in front of the eyes of several backbenchers whose careers are becalmed. They have a rare chance. Almost all advancement in the government is in the…