The ABC spends a day on the campaign trail with WA Opposition leader Shane Love | ABC News

In Australia's federal electoral system, the leader of the opposition is determined by which non-government party has the most members of parliament, not by ideological alignment; this explains why WA Nationals leader Shane Love became the opposition leader despite representing rural interests, as his party had more MPs than the Liberal Party following the 2013 election, demonstrating how electoral reforms like 'one vote one value' can reshape political alliances and force parties to broaden their appeal beyond traditional bases.