Australian election 2010

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has refused to back Labor's Harry Jenkins for the role of speaker in the new parliament.

Australian voters have had a rapid lesson in coalition forming these past two weeks, after having sent a message to all political parties of their dissatisfaction.

Labor Party leader Julia Gillard will form the first minority federal government in Australia since 1940 after winning the support of key rural independents.

Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott will make their final pitches to the three country independents whose decision later on Tuesday will likely decide which of the two leaders will form a minority federal government.

The three country independents whose support is needed to form a new federal government say talks during Tuesday morning will be crucial to which of the two major parties they back.

After two nerve-racking weeks, the three country independent MPs are about to decide who will form government.

Australians probably won't know who their next prime minister will be until tomorrow, with the federal independents continuing their deliberations in Canberra.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott does not believe the coalition's $A11 billion squabble with Treasury over costings is a bad look as he prepares for further talks with independent MPs.

Australia's opposition Liberal Party had overstated national savings from their election promises by up to $A10.6 billion, according to official figures released by independent lawmakers who are likely to decide which political party forms the next government.

Independent MP Bob Katter is a hair's breadth away from deciding which major party he will support to help form government.