Should we have more federal politicians?

Should we have more federal politicians? One can anticipate the knee-jerk response from many sceptical voters.

But Special Minister of State Don Farrell believes there's a case, and has the parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters examining the arguments.

Farrell, a right-wing factional heavyweight who has a low profile publicly but holds a lot of power within Labor, drove the political funding reforms legislated last term. They begin operating ahead of the 2028 election. Despite doubts Farrell would land a deal to pass those changes, he managed, very late, to get the Liberals on board.

Whether the enlarged parliament has a chance of flying could depend in part, but not entirely, on the attitude of the opposition — would it go along with the plan or threaten to turn i