Indi MP Helen Haines is inching back to the influential position her predecessor Cathy McGowan held in the Federal Parliament after the 2016 election with the shock resignation from the Liberal Party by Craig Kelly.
Mr Kelly, whose recent outspoken views on alternative COVID-19 treatment were described as "heinous" by Dr Haines and were a major reason behind his decision to quit the Liberals, will join her and others on the crossbench including Bob Katter, Rebekha Sharkie and Greens leader Adam Bandt.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, as a result of Mr Kelly's defection to the crossbench, no longer enjoys a working majority on the floor of the House of Representatives.
"As independent members of parliament, we know how crucial it is to our constituents that every single piece of legislation that comes before us is examined by us, and we make decisions on each of those new laws to make sure that they're actually for the good of the nation, for the good of our constituents, that they're ethical, and ensure good governance," Dr Haines said on Wednesday..
"I'll be watching pretty carefully, actually, how our new crossbench member does look at each piece of legislation, and see if he truly is independent."
IN OTHER NEWS
Mr Katter has guaranteed confidence and supply to the government on the basis of its 2019 election win, but has taken the opportunity to list several major water projects in his Queensland electorate he would like funded.
Dr Haines has not publicly stated she will support the government on motions of confidence and supply as Ms McGowan and other crossbenchers did after the 2016 election.
The Border Mail has sought a response from Dr Haines.
A spokesman for the MP said "nothing's changed" with confidence and supply guaranteed by Mr Kelly and Mr Katter.
Mr Morrison also lost his majority on the floor when he replaced Malcolm Turnbull as Prime Minister in 2018.
Mr Turnbull quit parliament and his seat was lost at a byelection to independent Kerryn Phelps.
But her stint in Canberra was short-lived when defeated at the 2019 election in the seat of Wentworth by Liberal Dave Sharma.
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