A minority government offers a superb opportunity for change, especially through conscience votes that would not have been possible where there is a clear majority. One only has to look back to the days of the Howard government to realise how many opportunities for change through community consensus were squandered.

Governments with solid majorities are ruled by small executives with even government backbenchers missing out on opportunities to put their oar into the development and implementation of policy.

Politicians fret about minority governments because they are always required to be on their toes and it can be difficult to get that pair to duck off for the assignation or trip somewhere.

Is the government obliged to implement all its election promises? Well, no more than usual and a minority government can do much better by easing its way out of the election pork barrelling and by moderating policies that were aimed at pleasing the few percents.

The electorate has the heaven-sent opportunity of a minority government to see that all of the best players and best ideas are not the preserve of one party. It is incumbent upon the electorate to make it known to parties and independents that it expects the whole of the parliament to contribute to good government.

"For our next GG we need to ensure she/he have no family, friends or relations. It might even be better if they have belonged to no church, union or political party."

Good thinking. How about Marvin the Paranoid Android?

No, it is not whichever party can secure a majority of 76 votes; it is whichever speaker and government can gain a majority of 76 votes. Gillard asked the public to pick which "party" should rule, and the people have said nether.

Why not hold the MPs to their word? They all claim they want to help Australia, not each other's pockets; so can't the children play together for once? We have more than twice the number of MPs needed for the portfolios, so why not select the best suited (irrespective of party) for each portfolio and also assign their 'party' opposite as a political consultant inside the ministry under a secrets-act or the like? If the opposing political consult has a brilliant better idea then he should discuss it with the Minister, and the Minister would know that his 'consulting' MP would be able to prompt very meaningful questions if needed at Question time. After a few months our MPs might actually start working for the benefit of our nation instead of their parties.

I'm hearing a lot of crazy responses to the current political situation.Fortunately,this article is not one of them.

This situation will be sorted out in the next few weeks according to the constitution,precendent and convention.Whether the result will last,who knows.The protagonists can only act in a manner which they see as practical at this time.We need to let them get on with it.There will be plenty of opportunity for comment later.

How's this ?

* Julia Gillard is prime minister until there is a vote of no confidence in her government on the floor of the HoR, then election.

* no party or independent MP wants to go to another election soon unless

(a) they/he thinks they can improve their situation out of one.

* Gillard and her government will not propose any new legislation which may threaten this status quo, at least not until (a).

* frantic horse-trading may go on behind the scenes, in and out of each others' offices, but each side (Labor, Liberals, independents, National and Greens will seek support from each other for particular legislation which they think might get the nod. Independents and the National guy will be in the box seat. Yes, not very stable, very incremental, but it can work.

* so there is not really any need for any formal coalition arrangement: until someone rocks the boat, and with sweeteners offered here and there, this ad hoc arrangement can go on for some time, until (a).

It worked in SA, a deal between Labor and the National Party MP, and it's working (?) in Tasmania. It's just that we will have to take some time to get used to the novel idea of a four- or five-sided system, rather than the 'usual' two-sided one.

Joe

I guess Flo a homeless person with alzheimers would be well qualify for the job by your description.
joke