Is Australia really a multi-party country. Seems like Australia, much like Canada, has two major parties at the federal level who take turns governing the country, and a bunch of smaller ones who have no power and no chance of ever getting into power.
This is what gives the multi party system its power, coalition forces diversity.
Whilst the smaller parties / independents do not have a real chance to gain majority, they can still have a voice and oftentimes hold the balance of power. This leads to some claiming that these smaller players have a much bigger influence than they deserve.
If the Greens have a policy that will get people to vote for them, then the Labor party has to pick that up as well or start haemorrhaging preferences. Ditto the Liberals and various lobbies like One Nation.
It is extremely difficult for the major Australian parties to ignore a minor party that has better policies. Although the majors are stable as a brand, the actual policy mix and strategy is quite dynamic and influenced by the minors.