The first thing that the ex National Party so called Independents have
said is that they will negotiate their position collectively.

Bob Catter an ex National party state member and Minister in the
Bjelke Petersen Govt, is of the "I fish and I vote variety".

I think, he thinks, that declarations and the conserving of wild rivers
are bad for business.

Whilst he's possibly right (and I don't think this is the point),
I would hate to think that someone like Bob would be ultimately
making the decision about whom is to be PM.

Not to single out BC, but voting as a group is indicative of single mindedness,
and the collective ex National Party mind of the 3 (Catter Windsor and Oakshot)
will clearly want Tony Abbott as PM, not Julia Gillard.

Despite the conviction bleatings of all 3 of these ex National Party Independents (NPI's)
currently portrayed in the media, the fact is, that should the Coalition gain 73 seats,
all that will be required to govern. is the 3, together making 76.

Isn't that the magic number?.

The only thing that can save the Govt is gaining 73 of their own seats and
therefore being, in equivalent position to the Coalition in negotiations.

Posturing (through statements made publically), for this possible scenario (Govt = 73)
have been made by these "collective independents" (ex-NPCI's) as early as election night.

Should the Govt fail in getting 73 you can say hello to Tony Abbott as your new PM.

Thank you to all those traditional Labor supporters who allowed themselves
to drift to the Greens this time, for it's the Coalitions program,
you'll be getting as your new Government.

"Thank you to all those traditional Labor supporters who allowed themselves
to drift to the Greens this time, for it's the Coalitions program,
you'll be getting as your new Government."

Thanks to all those green voters the coalitions programs (if they were to form government) will be blocked in the senate.

Dear thinker 2,

I watched "Q and A," this evening
and I must admit that I was very
impressed with Tony Windsor.
I also watched "Lateline," and the
interview with Rob Oakeshott and
was equally impressed.

Both men struck me as being - decent,
honest, and high-principled men,
and I suspect that the reason
they left their National Party affiliation
is because they well and truly do think
outside Party lines - preferring to
be "Independent." I couldn't help thinking
that these are the calibre of men we need in
Parliament.

I can't comment too much on Bob Katter as I
only saw him interviewed briefly on the night
of the Election - however, from what I saw I
doubt if he could also be manipulated by any
given political Party.

I think that your concerns may be a little
premature. I suspect that all three men will
make the decisions that they feel will be the
right ones for their communities, and for
the country. They all seem
interested in having a stable government for
the good of all Australians, rather than playing
on any particular "team." For that reason I
imagine that they would not be a good match
with the Libs - who tend to be team players.

Anyway, we'll have to wait and see what eventuates.
It's going to be an interesting couple of weeks.

The 2 NSW independents are honest trustworthy and loved by those who elected them.
Look at the seats they hold and the results.
NO side of politics should demand they act in any way other than the way they do, every day, in the interests of the voters who sent them.
Yet a red neck farmer this morning in the red neck Sydney media is already threatening one of them ,if he sides with Labor.
Who ever he sides with will be in government, cop it sweet.
ALP voters can thank our party as much as anything.
NSW is waiting the worst defeat in our party's history, the ONLY thing NSW can do for the party is have the election now,lets start the rebuilding a day after, in a phone box.
And federally? get it out there now! tell the public about government by dictatorship!
Let voters know the only thing we got wrong with Rudd was left it 12 months too late.

thinker 2,

I would think at this time with both parties seemingly on 73 seats that labor are in the better position. With the green support they only need two votes and the members for Lyon and New England have made it pretty clear they lean that way with the NBN, health reforms and total lack of trust in their old party the nat's. Don't forget Hasluck with a record postal vote that normally favours the incumbent, we could have labor 74, lib 72 yet.

I find the independent collective position to be responsible in terms of delivering stability, imagine if they were all loose cannons (as i expect Katter to end up) the financial markets would be in meltdown. Both of the north coast independents will also demand a strong response for rural infrastructure which has been crumbling for years. We have a bridge that was washed out in the floods two years ago that no government wants to fix and a council that is broke with a local member both state and federal that are unable to achieve anything for the country as they are held hostage by the coalition.

As for the Senate, this is the Greens big test. If they can handle the responsibility properly and deliver responsible and sensible outcomes they will secure their position into the future, if they fall victim to the power on offer they will be sacrificed to the electoral gods at the next vote.

Thinker, how seriously should we take your opinions if you cannot be bothered to spell Bob Katter's name correctly? Just how "informed" are you?
Geoffrey Kelley