We will fight for our positive plans in the 45th Parliament, we will respect the judgement of the people and be true to our policies and propositions upon which we sought the support, which we received.
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But the Coalition now has a narrow lead in two of those doubtful seats and looks increasingly likely win at least 76 seats giving the Turnbull Government an outright majority in the House of Representatives.
Australian Medical Association President Michael Gannon said he was surprised he did not see more of Ms Ley during the campaign. In several seats, just a few hundred votes were separating the coalition from Labor.
Standard and Poor’s on Thursday cut Australia’s credit rating outlook to negative from stable, threatening a downgrade of its coveted triple A status, as Turnbull flew to northern Queensland state to win support from a maverick former member of the ruling conservative coalition.
Turnbull, who Tuesday took full responsibility for the dismal election campaign, has said he believes he will be able to form a government without the help of these crossbenchers.
Liberal frontbencher Christopher Pyne boldly told the Nine Network on Friday: ‘We have won again’.
But she has agreed to meet the Prime Minister this morning to continue the discussion that he opened when he called on Sunday morning to acknowledge her re-election.
Turnbull became prime minister in September after ousting unpopular predecessor Tony Abbott in a party room vote in a bid to put the government in a position to win this year’s election.
Can Malcolm Turnbull form a government?
ABC election analyst Antony Green said he could “pretty accurately predict” the Coalition would be returned to government with between 75 and 77 seats in the Lower House.
But while a majority appears to be in reach, Malcolm Turnbull has spent the week focused on locking in support from the new crossbench as he approaches the practical difficulties of governing in the new parliament at a time when internal tensions within the Coalition remain high.
Katter’s backing means he would get behind the government on budget matters and on votes of no confidence.
The National Party, the junior coalition partner, is demanding a greater say in a future government given its strong electoral performance.
Turnbull won the support of three independent representatives, Bob Katter, Andrew Wilkie and Cathy McGowan, who have declared their intention to support the Coalition if it does not win a majority on its own. Those who backed Mr Turnbull are surely now wondering why they went to all that bother to lose a dozen seats or more.
Senator Cory Bernardi (whose wife Sinéad is Irish) posted a message on his website saying the election result was a “disaster” and that it was important to unite “Australian Conservatives… regardless of their party affiliation”.
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Green said the Coalition was now ahead in Forde, but Capricornia, Herbert and Flynn were the seats to watch.
