Positions at a glance
Supporters
The political significance of crossbenchers rises sharply in hung parliaments or where the governing party lacks a majority in the upper chamber. They can extract policy concessions, amendments, or procedural commitments in exchange for support. Critics argue unelected crossbenchers in the Lords lack democratic legitimacy; defenders point to their expertise and freedom from party discipline as a check on executive overreach.
Opponents
A crossbencher is a legislator who does not take a party whip and instead sits on the "cross benches" — historically the benches running across the end of the chamber in the UK House of Lords, perpendicular to the government and opposition benches. The term originated in the Westminster parliamentary tradition and is now used across several legislatures derived from it.
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After the 2022 Australian federal election, a record crossbench of 16 MPs — including Greens and "teal" independents — sat in the House of Representatives, increasing pressure on the Albanese government to negotiate on climate legislation.
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