Wednesday 8 September 2010

Further Update on Election

Julia Gillard will remain as 's prime minister and form a minority Labor Government.

Labour reached the required 76 seat majority after securing the support of two of the final three unaligned independents, and . The remaining independent, Mr , gave his support to the . The Green MP, and the Tasmanian independent, Mr had already aligned with Labor last week.

The final numbers: Labor 76, the Liberal/National Coalition 74.

It took almost $10 billion in incentives to regional Australia to secure the support of the independents. In particular health, hospitals and education investment funding along with regional infrastructure were pledged. The regional roll out of the national broadband network, a key issue for the independents, has also been brought forward.

The composition of the government requires a higher level of consultation to operate effectively. An "Agreement for a Better Parliament," a reform of parliamentary processes instigated by the independents, has been negotiated with the major parties and focuses on greater integrity, accountability and transparency.

Changes include a Speaker who does not sit in a party room, a Deputy from the opposing party, a Parliamentary Integrity Commissioner and a formal code of conduct for MPs and Senators, more time for MPs speeches, a Parliamentary Budget Office to provide independent policy proposal costings, a more focused Question Time, a greater role for Committees and more significance given to their reports.

Ms Gillard said her new ministry should be able to be sworn in next week.