Australia parliament passes senate reform bill after marathon session

Australian parliament passed the senate reform bill on Friday after 28 hours' debate at the senate, clearing the way for a possible early election.

Despite opposition by Labor and most of the crossbenchers, the government-proposed new electoral law had the support of the Greens and independent South Australian senator Nick Xenophon.

The House of Representatives also passed the bill with a vote of 81 to 31.

The legislation will make it harder for small parties to get elected. Minor parties will not be able to swap preferences in order to secure Senate seats.

"Obviously the government is of the view that this is a very important reform for Australia. It's a reform which will ensure future Senate election results truly reflect the will of the Australian people," said Senator Mathias Cormann, who is also Minister for Finance and Special Minister of State.

The new electoral law also makes it more likely for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to go for a double dissolution to get rid of the current Senate, which the government said had blocked many bills which are important to the country's economic reform.

Australia is expected to hold parliamentary election in 2016, most likely in the second half of the year. However, with the new electoral bill and a higher possibility of double dissolution, analysts begin to speculate on an election date as early as July.

Turnbull has been leading in opinion polls ever since he became prime minister in September 2015. However, recent polls showed that the advantage he enjoys over Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has been narrowed.

As for two-party preferred poll, the ruling Liberal Party and Labor Party in the opposition have a 50-50 tie.

This may also becomes a factor for Turnbull to call an earlier election before the benefit of his honeymoon with Australian voters is exhausted. Enditem