Safe passage through parliament was secured this week for tax reforms proposed in the Albanese government’s 2026 budget. Despite much debate over the reforms’ pros and cons, and negotiations within parliament, this is a demonstration of Australia’s democratic system working as it was designed to do.
It shows major reform is still possible in Australian politics, that parliament can still work in an orderly manner to turn contested reforms – with negotiated changes – into law, and that controversy is inevitably part of getting big things done.
