In the 76-seat Senate, the Liberals and Nationals cannot block legislation despite holding more seats than Labor. There are 31 of them, but achieving a majority of 39 requires either the support of the Greens (with 11 seats) or the entire crossbench of 8. Since the Greens and half the crossbench are the Coalition’s mortal enemies, that is next to impossible.
By contrast the Labor government, with 26 seats, can generally count on achieving a majority and having its legislation passed.
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