In Canada, party discipline used to be applied to the vote for Speaker, but it’s now done by secret ballot. Also gets dragged tithe chair by the pm and the lease of the opposition. I don’t think caucuses either the party, but doesn’t stand unopposed.
Just to wrap up the thread nicely, with 75 seats to Labor counting dragged on and on for the last few seats which determined whether they would govern with an absolute majority [76 seats] or have to rely on the random support from among 16 independents [the ‘cross benches’ who are not aligned formally with one or other major party].
In the end Labor got 77 seats. They had already formed government with Anthony Albanese becoming Prime Minister and immediately jetting off to an international summit. Both parties in the opposition coalition have new leadership teams.
There was a record low vote for the major parties, and a clear rejection of the Liberals. It looks like there is a solid mandate to do something about climate, political integrity and gender equality. It will be an interesting three years.