Julia Gillard to retain power in Australia (Lead)
September 7th, 2010 - 2:18 pm ICT by IANS
Sydney, Sep 7 (IANS) Australia’s incumbent Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who Tuesday won the support of two independent MPs to reach the half-way mark in parliament, is all set to form a minority government that will end a 17-day political impasse in the country.
The independents’ support gives Gillard, the country’s first woman prime minister, the narrowest of margins in the 150-member House of Representatives, bringing to 76 the number of MPs willing to support Labor. The opposition Coalition led by Tony Abbott has 73 seats.
The two independents, Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor, announced their decisions to back Julia Gillard as prime minister, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
But Oakeshott warned: “This is not a mandate for any government. This parliament is going to be different.”
The decision came after 17 days of protracted negotiations between the independents and the two leaders - Abbott and Gillard.
Gillard will hold a press conference later in the day.
Independent Tony Windsor said both sides had offered generous packages to support health, education and infrastructure for regional communities. He said providing stability for the country had been another key factor in his decision.
“If a government is formed, how long could it last and that is a key deliberation in our view,” Wndsor said.
Oakeshott said the independents had secured a deal with the Labor to promote regional development and to hold a tax reform summit.
The Labor’s position on broadband and climate change had also been important factors in his decision.
Earlier, Queensland independent MP Bob Katter called a press conference to declare his hand before his two independent colleagues, both from New South Wales.
Katter announced he was backing the Coalition to form a minority government, and indicated his decision would have been different had Kevin Rudd still been the Labor leader. Rudd was ousted in an internal Labour coup by Gillard a few weeks back.
All the three independent MPs met Gillard and Abbott Tuesday morning before they announced their decision.
The independents had also held out until both parties agreed to a major reforms to the parliament.
The Aug 21 election had produced Australia’s first hung parliament in 70 years.
- Julia Gillard returns as Australian PM (Second Lead) - Sep 07, 2010
- Julia Gillard set to form new government in Australia - Sep 07, 2010
- Oz PM Julia Gillard to form government following two key Independents' support - Sep 07, 2010
- Australian voters want independents to support Labor - Sep 04, 2010
- Independent MPs hold key to Australia's new government - Aug 22, 2010
- Gillard vows to improve Australian democracy - Aug 31, 2010
- Gillard sworn in as Australia's PM - Sep 14, 2010
- Key Independents raise spectre of fresh Oz polls over non-fulfilment of demands - Aug 25, 2010
- Oz voters want three key Independents to support Labor to form minority government: Poll - Sep 04, 2010
- Independent MP submits demand list to Gillard, Abbott - Sep 03, 2010
- Unattached MPs hold key in Australia's new parliament - Aug 23, 2010
- Oz opposition leader blasts Gillard for 'debasing polity' to cling to power - Aug 26, 2010
- Australia heads towards hung parliament (Fourth Lead) - Aug 21, 2010
- Oz voters favour fresh polls even as Independents dither over support - Sep 06, 2010
- Julia Gillard sworn in as Australia's PM (Lead) - Sep 14, 2010
Tags: bob katter, climate change, deliberation, first woman, health education, important factors, independent mp, independent mps, independents, julia gillard, labor leader, minority government, new south wales, oakeshott, opposition coalition, political impasse, regional communities, sydney morning herald, tax reform, tony abbott