Can the government include the crossbench in the ‘pairing’ system?

Pairing is an unofficial system organised by the party whips. It is used to enable a member or senator on one side to be absent for any votes when a member or senator from the other side is to be absent at the same time. By agreement, it can also be used when a member or senator abstains from a vote.

As pairing is managed by the party whips, it is at the discretion of the parties to negotiate pairing arrangements with members and senators on the crossbench.

A woman and a man stand on either side of the Clerk's table in the Senate. There are people sitting at the central table.

Party whips counting the votes in a division in the Senate.

DPS Auspic

Party whips counting the votes in a division in the Senate.

A woman and a man stand on either side of the Clerk's table in the Senate. There are people sitting at the central table.

DPS Auspic

Description

A woman and a man stand on either side of the Clerk's table in the Senate. There are people sitting at the central table.

Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.