The Nationals will strongly oppose any move by Labor at a Federal Government level to increase the size of the Australian Parliament.

Member for Mallee Anne Webster said the government had its priorities completely wrong.

“At a time when Australian families are tightening their belts, the last thing they should be asked to fund is more politicians,” she said.

Dr Webster said the move would cost taxpayers more than $620-million, including salaries for possible additional members and senators, staff, travel and office costs.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union estimates every Australian federal member in the House of Representatives represents, on average, 116,524 people, above the international average of 112,500.

Dr Webster said she was proud to represent the 121,662 enrolled voters and their families, spread across 83,412 square kilometres in Mallee.  

“Supporting over 121,000 voters is a big job, but I have the staff and tools to serve over 80 rural cities, towns and communities,” she said.

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