View from The Hill: Albanese puts cat among One Nation pigeons with staff offer

Staff offer sparks dispute

Albanese wrote to Farley this week offering him a personal staff position, separate from One Nation’s request for additional staff. Hanson said Farley had not asked for the allocation and that the prime minister gave no reason for it. The government and some One Nation members said the offer was consistent with staffing provided to Barnaby Joyce after he left the Nationals for One Nation.

Farley rejects inducement claims

Farley declined the offer but said he needed more assistance and was open to another proposal after One Nation’s staffing talks with the government conclude. He also said he wanted a relationship with the government, including the prime minister.

Farley said he had known Albanese for a long time and that the prime minister had helped him during the live cattle dispute. He rejected the suggestion that staff resources or water policy were offered to influence his political choices, saying his decisions reflected his principles and commitments to voters.

Amid speculation that Albanese wanted him to leave One Nation, Farley said he would not do so. He said Farrer voters knew which party he represented.

Staffing power under scrutiny

The dispute has renewed debate over the prime minister’s sole authority to allocate parliamentary personal staff. Those positions are distinct from electorate staff, and Albanese has faced criticism over decisions to grant or withhold additional staff.

Senator Fatima Payman, who left Labor last term, challenged Albanese in Senate estimates this week over his refusal to give her personal staff. Payman and Hanson have previously joined independent MP Dai Le in calling for changes to the staffing system.

Joyce said staffing offers should be handled between party leaders. He added that Albanese knew what he was doing and praised the attempt.

Defections add political context

Albanese has gained two additional senators through defections during this term: Dorinda Cox, formerly of the Greens, and Tammy Tyrrell, who had been part of the Jacqui Lambie Network. In the Gillard government, Albanese was also a central figure in Peter Slipper’s move from the Coalition to become an independent and serve as speaker, supporting Labor’s numbers.