Senate crossbenchers aren't being treated with respect and that's why the federal government is struggling to get legislation passed, Labor says.
Former manager of government business in House of Representatives, Anthony Albanese said Labor was able to pass nearly 600 pieces of legislation with a hung parliament because it treated the balance of power independent MPs respectfully.
"The number of times I have spoken to Senate crossbenchers, when I have been the first person to inform them about government legislation, is quite extraordinary," he told ABC TV on Sunday.
His retiring frontbench colleague Gary Gray last week publicly criticised his party's opposition to the government's Senate voting reforms, telling parliament he lost the debate within caucus.
Mr Albanese said Mr Gray was entitled to his views, as a member of the joint committee on electoral matters.
"He put on the record very clearly his views, I don't have a problem with that in this circumstance," Mr Albanese said.
"It is not like he could pretend that his views had changed."
Asked if it was acceptable behaviour Mr Albanese responded: "It's not something that I would have done".
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