If the 2025 federal election results in a House of Representatives where no one party or existing coalition holds a majority of the seats, the Prime Minister will depend on the support (or 'confidence') of some number of independent and minor party MPs on the 'crossbench'. 

An analysis of 25 power sharing parliaments in Australia shows that there is great variety in what crossbenchers negotiate in exchange for confidence and supply. This study of negotiations provides some guidance as to how power sharing negotiations may play out in the 2025 federal election. It outlines what crossbencher MPs might demand in exchange for their support and what can be expected of the power sharing parliament that results.

Typical areas of negotiation are parliamentary reform, policy reform, more staff and resources and ministerial or presiding officer positions for crossbenchers.

Key takeaways

• Negotiations may take time.
• Negotiations usually draw on many years of parliamentary experience.
• Agreements take a variety of forms.
• Agreements may be with the unsuccessful major party too.
• Crossbenchers do not have to go with the party that wins more seats.