Independents want more than 'barking dogs'
Independents want more than 'barking dogs'
Independent MP Tony Windsor says Australia has one of the worst examples of the Westminster system, where politics has been reduced to "two dogs barking".
Australian election 2010
Solid economic growth amid uncertainty
Solid economic growth amid uncertainty
Whoever is wearing the treasurer's crown next Wednesday should have a decent tale to tell about the economy.
Independent lawmakers hold key to Australian government
Independent lawmakers hold key to Australian government
Three independent lawmakers who could hold the key to a new Australian government were aligning their positions today as the continuing vote count from weekend elections yielded no clear winner, leaving the government in limbo.
Liberals maintain lead in Hasluck
Liberals maintain lead in Hasluck
The Liberal candidate in the now crucial Perth seat of Hasluck is maintaining his lead as thousands of fresh votes pass through counters' hands.
Abbott wants 'kinder, gentler' polity
Abbott wants 'kinder, gentler' polity
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott wants a "kinder, gentler" federal parliament, proposing a "serious role" for key independents who can help him form a minority government.
Wilkie hits out at independent 'bloc'
Wilkie hits out at independent 'bloc'
A likely fourth independent headed for Australia's federal parliament says the other three are acting as a bloc, and he won't join them.
Coalition pulls ahead in election race
Coalition pulls ahead in election race
The coalition's chances of forming a minority government have taken a dramatic change for the better following counting of votes in two key seats.
Parties know how to win Crook's support
Parties know how to win Crook's support
It's clear cut how Labour or the coalition can win the support of West Australian Nationals candidate Tony Crook, the party's state president says.
Leaders ready for negotiations
Leaders ready for negotiations
Prime Minister Julia Gillard may have hit a stumbling block even before she begins negotiations to try to form a minority government.
'No lying:' kingmaker MP
'No lying:' kingmaker MP
One of the independents who may end up a parliamentary kingmaker has warned he will not tolerate any lying from a new government.
PM bans Arbib from appearing on 'Q&A'
PM bans Arbib from appearing on 'Q&A'
Julia Gillard has banned NSW right-wing powerbroker Mark Arbib from appearing on a TV show as Labor tries to prevent internal blood-letting from overshadowing its attempt to retain power.
Main players arrive for capital talks
Main players arrive for capital talks
All the main players in negotiations over which of the two major parties will form Australia's minority government are in Canberra.
Key leaves message for Liberal leader
Key leaves message for Liberal leader
Prime Minister John Key says he has left a voice message for Australia's Liberal Party leader Tony Abbott amidst the election heat, but was yet to track down Labor leader Julia Gillard.
Informal voting hits record high
Informal voting hits record high
Whether by design or mistake, a record number of Australians have cut themselves out of the political debate by casting informal votes.
Hung parliament negotiations to continue
Hung parliament negotiations to continue
Negotiations between the major parties and the independent MPs who could decide the eventual winner of the 2010 election are expected to begin in earnest today.
Abbott vs Gillard to be decided on points
Abbott vs Gillard to be decided on points
Tony Abbott won the Liberal leadership last December by just one vote on the back of his opposition to the government's emissions trading scheme (ETS).
Gillard tries to form government
Gillard tries to form government
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has got the jump on Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, making first contact with independent MPs and the Greens about forming a stable minority government.
Greens' leader dons mantle of power
Greens' leader dons mantle of power
Bob Brown has become one of the most powerful figures in Australian politics.
Hung parliaments common elsewhere
Hung parliaments common elsewhere
Hung parliaments may be strange to Australians, but for voters around the world living with a minority government is more the rule than the exception.
Minority governments not new for states
Minority governments not new for states
It's been tried only once federally, and ended in a government's collapse. But successful minority governments are nothing new for Australia's states and territories.