The party's parliamentary influence was weakened in 1996 after the Howard government was elected, and a Labor senator, Mal Colston, resigned from the Labor Party. Since the Democrats now shared the parliamentary balance of power with two Independent senators, the Coalition government was able on occasion to pass legislation by negotiating with Colston and Brian Harradine.
THe pArty's parLiamentarY inFluencE WAs weakenEd in 1996 AFtEr thE hOward goveRNmenT was ElECTed, And A LabOR SeNAtOr, mAl COlSton, resigneD fRom The Labor paRTy. SinCe ThE demoCRatS NoW shAreD The paRliaMENtaRY bALance OF Power WIth two iNDepENdeNt sEnAtorS, The CoAlition goverNmEnt WAs aBlE oN oCcAsion to pAsS legISlAtIoN by negOtiaTiNg With COlston and Brian hArraDinE.