Ministers defend cut to crossbenchers’ advisers, despite fury of Jacqui Lambie and other independents

Senator Jacqui Lambie says she is ‘fuming’ about the decision to cut the number of advisers for independent MPs and senators. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

The Albanese government has defended its cut to crossbench MPs’ and senators’ staff, despite suggestions some minor parties could block bills in retaliation.

On Friday Labor revealed that crossbench parliamentarians will receive just one additional adviser, down from four under the Morrison government, prompting One Nation and senators Jacqui Lambie and David Pocock to threaten government bills.