Prime Minister Julia Gillard is one step closer to endorsing the leadership of her Labor government with Andrew Wilkie announcing his support, which has come a couple days after the Green MP Andrew Bandt pledged to join the Labor camp.
The Independent MPs - Bob Katter, Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor - are yet to make up their minds, with Katter asserting his independence from the trio with his own wish-list addressed to the major party.
Australia's Election Result closer with Andrew Wilkie Decided
With the Wilkie addition to the Labor/Green federal alliance, Labor is sitting on 74 seats, leaving the party just shy of the two seats needed to form a minority government.
Wilkie’s decision has left the Liberal/National coalition trailing with 73 seats, if non-aligned National Tony Crook is to be included.
Wilkie has won the following wish-list demands, with Labor agreeing to:
- An introduction of smart cards to limit poker machine bets
- Two extra staff to be allocated to the Wilkie team
- Capping the time on cross bench questions in parliament question time
- The PM to have regular meetings with Wilkie
- Better protection for whistle blowers
- A referendum to recognize Indigenous Australians
However, it was Wilkie’s demand for the Royal Hobart Hospital renovations, which was the huge deal breaker component, according to his interview with the 7:30 Report 2 September 2010.
Gillard’s Key Negotiation Win over the Royal Hobart Hospital
Gillard took a prudent approach to negotiations, putting forward that the Hospital application would be assessed in accordance with the evaluation criteria of the Government’s health and hospitals fund.
Gillard said at a press conference 2 September 2010, “Of course, from the point of view of the Federal Government we would, if this application is successful, look to meet 60 per cent of the cost.”
The total cost of the proposal is $565 million.
On the other hand, Opposition Leader Abbott offered Wilkie a far more generous enticement of $1 billion upfront for the Hobart Hospital redevelopment.
“But I very quickly came to the conclusion that it was almost a reckless offer, because there was no indication of where that money might've come from, there was no suggestion it was part of some normal process that is in place for raising or for allocating funds,” said Wilkie in an interview with the 7:30, 2 September 2010.
The New Labor-Green Deal was signed Wednesday
In addition, the Gillard Government has won the Green MP vote, agreeing to a series of proposed measures listed by the Greens, signed 1 September 2010.
Some measures include:
- The introduction of a Climate Change Committee to put a price on carbon
- Towards universal dental health care
- A High Speed Rail study by July 2011
- Legislation regarding truth in political advertising
- The establishment of a Parliamentary Integrity Commissioner
- Immediate political reform regarding funding of political parties and election campaigns
- And, referendum to recognize Indigenous Australians
Independent MP Katter’s Wish-list
On the 3 September 2010, Kennedy MP Katter has given a 20-point wish-list to both Abbott and Gillard.
His policy requests center on his strong call for a better deal for rural Australia.
One of Katter’s most passionate demands is that the incoming government brings down the dollar to help farmer exports.
He said that Labor and the Coalition’s response to these issues will come into play when he makes his decision regarding which way his support will swing.
“I would say that it is my responsibility to do whatever I can to secure the right to survive [for rural Australia],” said Katter to the press, recorded live by the ABC, 3 September 2010.
His wish-list includes controversial points “no carbon tax” and “no mining tax”, which are at odds with views of Labor, the Greens and the Independent Wilkie.
Coalition Costings Debacle will Influence Windsor-Oakeshott Decision
Meanwhile, New England MP Windsor says that the “black hole” in the Coalition’s costings of somewhere between $7 billion to $11 million, which has been unearthed by Treasury findings, will impact upon his decision.
“Well, I think it's part of the mix in terms of what we're trying to come to here,” said Windsor in a Lateline interview 1 September 2010.
Abbott denies the severity of the problem and has continued to argue that his party will deliver the larger surplus.
“Obviously, there is a discussion going on about costings and the bottom line of that discussion is that the Coalition will deliver substantially larger surpluses than the Labor Party,” said Abbott in an interview 2 September 2010.
Oakeshott was yesterday quoted as saying by Lateline 2 September 2010 - “I think it [the Treasury findings] influences everyone's thinking.”
A copy of the Treasury costings for both Labor and Coalition election promises can be found on Rob Oakeshott’s homepage.
Katter, Oakeshott and Windsor's Seats still Up for Grabs in Australia's Election
The country MP trio will determine whether Labor or the Coalition forms a minority government.
However, if the trio chose to split and one MP sides with Labor, giving them a total of 75 seats and the other two give the Coalition 75, then it is likely Australia will be heading back to the polls.
Wednesday 1 September 2010, Windsor told The Australian that the trio are aiming to make their decisions between today and Tuesday next week.
Read more articles by Danielle Ryan regarding Australia's election:
Australian Election Results too close to Call
The Green Victory in the Australian Election
Australian Election Results in Hung Parliament
Australian Federal Election 2010, the Major Campaign Issues
