I happen to find both Rod Oakeshott and Tony Windsor to be quite principled gentlemen who put the majority of our politicians to shame. They have made decisions in the interest of the country and committed themselves to agreements made in good faith. They could have been a hugely divisive factor but I give them full credit for attempting to provide stability which was what was needed and wanted by the Australian electorate.

If, with the same kind of thoughtful contemplation exhibited after the election, they felt they could no longer support the Gillard government I would live with their decision.

I think some of the posters here wouldn't recognise a principled politician if they fell over one. Neither Gillard nor Abbott fit the description. I know the independents will have a tough time surviving the Murdoch press and the other attack dogs but perhaps there will be some recognition in latter years of their efforts.

Just imagine our Senate filled with men and women of this caliber, it is the way it was originally designed but the corrosion of party politics has done its work. We can only dream.

csteele ,Oakshot to me is a dill.I don't think there are many principled pollies today.They all do deals to secure their power bases.

To me their only chance for survival is to divorce themselves from Labor and the carbon tax.

I cannot see this debacle going on for another 12 mths.Something or someone has to let the people have a say."There will be no carbon tax under the Govt I lead."

Oh come on Arjay,

Of the two is he less substantive than Windsor? Probably, but still streets ahead of most of the rest. He turned down the Regional Affairs Ministry, one that he and Windsor had Gillard create to better serve the bush. That decision alone cost him $100,000 a year along with the power that accompanies the position.

He left the National Party on a matter of principle but was obviously doing something right because he usually polls around 2/3rds of the primary vote. If you are that much of a dill you normally get found out, especially under the scrutiny of being an independent.

This is actually quite easy, if either Abbott of Gillard were to come up to you on the street and assure you “My word is my bond!” compared to either of the two independents doing the same who would you believe? If you said either of the former then I'm afraid the word 'dill' is being too kind.

Both these blokes have a bit of maverick about them which I like but they are also a cut above the rest and I tip my hat to them. They are my kind of politician and should they be celebrated by all Australian's. Though I don't put Katter in the same league I still have a bit of time for the bloke. I think his policies stink but that is different than saying his politics are on the nose. I feel there is a degree of respect between all three purely because there is something to respect.

Character! There was a time when most people knew it when they saw it, not any more it seems.

Obviously c steel, you don't live in one of their electorates, cause if you did, you would, as was said before, be waiting with a base ball bat for the next election.

Just remember, these two are supporting our sitting government, one that is heading for a new LOW in the poles as they are on just 28%.

Put simply, 72%, or almost three out of every four don't support them, don't like them and most certainly, don't trust them.

These two ind are a disgrace.

They should have those words hanging on their fridge doors, HONEST AND ACCOUNTABLE, so they see them each and every day. But first, they need to learn what they mean.

Bring on the next election, my bat is at the ready.

Talk of Rudd being PM again soon; this may be trigger for independents to abandon Labor.