Following recommendations from the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, the government has amended its Senate reform bill to include provision for optional preferential voting “below the line” as well as “above the line”.

Special Minister of State Mathias Cormann explains the details of the changes and says the bill “empowers the Australian people to determine what happens to their votes and their preferences”.

“What it does is it will help ensure that the result at the next Senate election and any subsequent Senate election reflects the will of the people.”

Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond the academic appointment above.