Deadlocked Australian Election May Depend on Independent MP’s Votes
Australia has found itself in a political stalemate, with its parliamentary election ending in a hung parliament.
It resulted in the governing Labour party, led by Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the opposing Conservative coalition, failing to secure the 76 seats needed for a majority.
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However, the parties are turning to independent MPs, to support them, in the hope of bringing the deadlock to an end.
The independents may provide the seats required to tip the scale in one side’s favour. This may be enough to form a government.
- Australia has not had a hung parliament in 70 years.
- It is the first time it has happened since 1940.
- The country has an electorate of 14 million people.
- The Labour party won 72 seats.
- It is led by Prime Minister Julia Gillard
- The coalition won 69.
- It is headed by opposition leader Tony Abbott.
- The independents secured three seats.
- The Green Party won just one.
- The results of five seats are yet to be announced.
- Postal votes are due in over the next two weeks.
- Ms Gillard and Mr Abbott are now based in the capital, Canberra.
- They will speak with the independent MPs.
- The MPs are the elected representatives of regional and rural territories in Australia.
- They are named Tony Windsor Rob Oakeshott and Bob Katter.
The Prime Minister has said
“It’s my intention to negotiate in good faith an effective agreement to form government,”
