SECTIONS

Australian election 2010

WorldSeptember 16

Gillard refuses to back Jenkins

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has refused to back Labor's Harry Jenkins for the role of speaker in the new parliament.
EditorialSeptember 9

Minority government

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.
WorldSeptember 8

Labor retains power in Australia

Labor Party leader Julia Gillard will form the first minority federal government in Australia since 1940 after winning the support of key rural independents.
Labor retains power in Australia
Labor retains power in Australia
WorldSeptember 7

Australian government decision in final hours

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.
WorldSeptember 7

MPs hear from Gillard, Abbott

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.
WorldSeptember 6

Next govt probably a day away: Windsor

Australians probably won't know who their next prime minister will be until tomorrow, with the federal independents continuing their deliberations in Canberra.
Next govt probably a day away: Windsor
Next govt probably a day away: Windsor
WorldSeptember 6

Kingmaking trio set to decide Aust govt

After two nerve-racking weeks, the three country independent MPs are about to decide who will form government.
WorldSeptember 2

Katter hair's breadth away from decision

Independent MP Bob Katter is a hair's breadth away from deciding which major party he will support to help form government.
WorldSeptember 2

Aust coalition has $10bn hole in pledges

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.
Aust coalition has $10bn hole in pledges
Aust coalition has $10bn hole in pledges
WorldSeptember 2

Coalition has nothing to hide: Abbott

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.
Coalition has nothing to hide: Abbott
Coalition has nothing to hide: Abbott
WorldSeptember 2

Gillard's offer unsatisfactory: Wilkie

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie says an offer made to him by Prime Minister Julia Gillard to gain his support in forming the next government is "unsatisfactory".
Gillard's offer unsatisfactory: Wilkie
Gillard's offer unsatisfactory: Wilkie
WorldSeptember 1

Bandt signs on with Labor

New Australian Greens MP Adam Bandt has formally sided with Labor in the hopes of forming a minority government.
Bandt signs on with Labor
Bandt signs on with Labor
WorldAugust 31

Gillard has no claim to govern: Bishop

Deputy opposition leader Julie Bishop says Labour now has no legitimate claim to form a government after falling behind the coalition on the two-party-preferred vote.
Gillard has no claim to govern: Bishop
Gillard has no claim to govern: Bishop
WorldAugust 31

Gillard to front press club

Prime Minister Julia Gillard will front the National Press Club today as the odds of being able to form government seem stacked against her.
WorldAugust 30

Hung parliament likely

Australians went to bed last night with the nation in political limbo, facing its first hung parliament since World War II.
WorldAugust 30

Wooing of the key men begins

In past lives, they were a labourer, an administrative officer, an intelligence analyst, a farmer and a barrister. Today, they are the five most powerful people in Australian politics and are being wooed by that country's Labor Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.
Wooing of the key men begins
Wooing of the key men begins
WorldAugust 28

Gillard spends an hour with Wilkie

Julia Gillard has marked a week since the deadlocked federal election by meeting with another crossbench MP who could decide her political fate.
Gillard spends an hour with Wilkie
Gillard spends an hour with Wilkie
WorldAugust 26

Abbott frustrates key legislators

A conservative political leader has rejected key demands from three independent lawmakers who are likely to decide which party forms Australia's next government after indecisive elections.
Abbott frustrates key legislators
Abbott frustrates key legislators
WorldAugust 25

Seat of Brisbane on a knife edge

Labour's chances of retaining the seat of Brisbane are growing with the Liberal National Party's (LNP) slight lead almost halving in one day.
Seat of Brisbane on a knife edge
Seat of Brisbane on a knife edge
WorldAugust 25

Gillard in driver's seat on demands

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's reluctance to bow to one of the main demands of three key independents has put Prime Minister Julia Gillard in the driver's seat to form a minority government.
Gillard in driver's seat on demands
Gillard in driver's seat on demands
WorldAugust 25

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".
Independents want more than 'barking dogs'
Independents want more than 'barking dogs'
WorldAugust 25

Solid economic growth amid uncertainty

Whoever is wearing the treasurer's crown next Wednesday should have a decent tale to tell about the economy.
WorldAugust 25

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.
WorldAugust 25

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.
Liberals maintain lead in Hasluck
Liberals maintain lead in Hasluck
WorldAugust 25

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.
Abbott wants 'kinder, gentler' polity
Abbott wants 'kinder, gentler' polity