What if their was a powerful third party in Australia politics? And I mean apart from the Nationals.
Australia has had quite influential third parties, ie the Australian Democrats adn the Greens, usually getting 5-15% of the vote. This has enabled them to gain seats in the Senate although never getting a seat in the House of Representatives.
This is compared with the UK which for the past twenty-five years has had a powerful third party (the LibDems) getting often 20-25% of the vote and often around 10% of seats in the House of Commons.
What POD would be required for this to occur in Australia? I'm particularly interested in this third party being able to gain a small number seat in the House of Reps.
My own theory is that the ability of small parties to gain seat in the Senate, has meant that they don't focus particularly well on getting seats in the House. Any thoughts about this?