On Thursday, the Prime Minister traveled to Queensland to meet with independent MP Bob Katter, the most likely crossbencher to side with the coalition in the event of a hung Parliament, but according to Turnbull, it might not be necessary to secure his support.
Advertisement
Mr Turnbull, apparently now contrite and humbled, said he was grateful for the cross bench declaration of support on supply and confidence but he hoped the final count in remaining doubtful seats would deliver majority government.
“I have had very constructive discussions with Katter and I thank him for the support that he has given my government”, said Mr Turnbull after the pair met in Brisbane. If that happens, Turnbull’s Liberal Party-led coalition will need to forge an alliance with independent and minor party lawmakers to form a minority government.
The focus will now turn to the likely make-up of the upper house, where Turnbull will have to negotiate with disparate independents and minor parties to pass savings measures.
Labor is unlikely to have the numbers to form a minority government.
The minority government that Turnbull is now expected to lead will no longer have a clear mandate for his center-right Liberal-National coalition’s jobs and growth agenda, including a return to budget surplus and a A$50 billion ($37.6 billion) corporate tax break.
Bill Shorten has finally conceded Labor failed to obtain enough seats to form government a week after Australia went to the polls.
The counting and the post-election recriminations are continuing as the coalition edges towards retaining government by a slim majority.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (L) and Liberal candidate for the federal seat of Chisholm Julia Banks greet locals during a street walk in Oakleigh, in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs, July 8, 2016.
At 1pm on Sunday the Coalition had won 74 seats, Labor 66 seats, there were five MPs on the crossbench and five seats were in doubt.
ABC election analyst Antony Green has also said it is certain the Coalition will retain government. Badges with the slogan “I Miss Malcolm” were a common sight throughout the campaign – a nod to the fact that many people didn’t know what Turnbull, once a passionate advocate of Australia cutting its ties with the British monarchy, tackling climate change and allowing same-sex marriage, stood for. “I do so with no great enthusiasm”, Mr Katter told reporters. “What you’re waiting for next week is postal votes from quite remote parts of the country”.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten is expected to be re endorsed as Labor party leader at a caucus meeting tomorrow. But he said with the count so close, the prime minister had little authority as he predicted that Australians would be back at the polls “within the year”.
Advertisement
Turnbull, even as he searches outside the coalition for support, also finds himself fighting a rearguard action for the ultra-conservative wing of his own Liberal party led by senator Corey Bernardi.
