Senate vote changes good for party hacks

The man known as the preference whisperer has argued Senate reforms are anti-democratic and will create a parliament of party hacks.

Rushed changes to the way Australians vote for the Senate are an attempt to close the door to non-career politicians, the man known as the preference whisperer says.

Glenn Druery, who help devise vote-swap deals to get candidates elected with a small primary vote, was speaking ahead of a war-room meeting of micro parties on the weekend.

"Party hacks or warriors of major parties are the only ones who have a chance of entering parliament if these reforms are enacted," he told ABC radio on Tuesday.

Special Minister of State Mathias Cormann said it was in the public interest for an election to reflect the will of the Australian people.

The changes would give voters the power to determine their preferences if they voted above-the-line on the Senate ballot paper.

"That is a power they currently don't have," Senator Cormann told ABC radio.


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Source: AAP



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