Australian Labor 'has majority'
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Seventeen days after the inconclusive Australian general election, Labor Party on Tuesday gained enough seats for its leader Julia Gillard to form first minority federal government in 70 years.
The two country independent Members of Parliament (MPs) - Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott - at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday revealed their intention to give Labor their crucial supports, meaning the party has secured the 76 seats needed to form new government.
Windsor in the media conference said National Broadband Network (NBN), energy policy and regional infrastructure were the prime reason for his support to Labor.
Meanwhile, Oakeshott regards stability in Parliament, NBN, climate change and regional education as his focus on his decision.
"We now have national indicators in education, around poorness, around indigenous and around regional," Oakeshott told reporters in Canberra, adding that he was not happy with the Coalition's decision to axe Labor's computers in schools program, and praised many of the reforms Gillard implemented when she handled the education portfolio.
"It is a disgrace that regional education has been left behind in this country, when it is the meal ticket for all those three combined."
Their decision came after North Queensland independent MP Bob Katter earlier split with the two regional independents, confirming his support to Coalition.
With elected Greens' MP Adam Bandt and independent MP Andrew Wilkie last week signed agreement to support the party, Labor now holds 76 seats in the 150-seat lower house, while Coalition has 74 seats.
Ruling Labor leader Julia Gillard, therefore, would be able to go to Governor-General Quentin Bryce, and be sworn in as prime minister to survive a no-confidence motion on the floor of Parliament over the next three years.
When it sits, the new Parliament will be subjected to a major overhaul, as brokered by the independents. Question Time will be revamped, an independent speaker will be installed and there will be new powers for committees.
Also, the Parliament is unlikely to sit for several weeks until the results from the election are finalized by the Australian Electoral Commission, and the writs are returned.
