crossbench

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See also: cross-bench

English

Composition of the Australian Senate as of June 2025. The members of the crossbench typically sit in the semi-circle benches between the governing Labor Party (red) and the opposition Liberal–National Coalition (blue and dark green).

Etymology

From cross- +‎ bench.

Noun

crossbench (plural crossbenches)

  1. (Australian politics, New Zealand politics) The political parties and/or members of a legislature that do not form part of the governing party or coalition, nor the official opposition (the largest party or coalition not in government).

Adjective

crossbench (comparative more crossbench, superlative most crossbench)

  1. (Australian politics, New Zealand politics) Of or pertaining to a legislature's crossbench.
  2. (UK politics) Alternative form of cross-bench.
    • 2009 April 12, Diane Abbott, Donald MacLeod, Mary Warnock, Barbara Gunnell, “What dilemma would you give a five-year-old?”, in The Observer‎:
      Mary Warnock is a philosopher and crossbench peer.
    • 2022 November 2, “Network News: Sir Peter Hendy destined for House of Lords”, in RAIL, number 969, page 21:
      Network Rail Chairman Sir Peter Hendy CBE has been nominated for a Crossbench Peerage.

Derived terms

Further reading

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