Windsor's third way: 'Another election'
August 25, 2010 - 12:09PM
One of the three key independents Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott are courting to form government has warned of another election if the major parties do not fulfil expectations.
New England MP Tony Windsor
rejected reports the independents would be acting in a bloc during a press conference with fellow independents, Rob Oakeshott and Bob Katter, this afternoon.
"We're in a group trying to organise a process," he said.
"We could all head in different directions."
Mr Windsor said there was also another direction worth pointing out.
"If there's no goodwill displayed by both leaders ... if we can't see a future ... longevity in the parliament ... I won't support either of them.
"So there is a third option, and that's another poll."
The trio told reporters they want access to the heads of the Treasury and finance departments before they enter negotiations.
They are set to meet with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott today, and again next week when counting has finished.
Mr Oakeshott told reporters in Canberra they had issued a "call for information" on seven key areas,
one of which is access to the costings on all promises and commitments.It was "somewhat confronting" for a caretaker government,
but they wanted first to meet with Treasury secretary Ken Henry and Finance department secretary David Tune, he said."We do think this is about the economy, and we do think the next three years need some consideration of things such as election promises," Mr Oakeshott said.
Mr Oakeshott said that request and six others were now being conveyed to Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott ahead of meetings with them later today.
"We want to give them the opportunity to consider them and reflect on them," he said.
"We will release all seven of them after those meetings."
Mr Oakeshott said they would also meet Greens leader Bob Brown later today.
Kennedy MP Bob Katter said another of the seven points was a guarantee that whatever government is formed will serve its full three-year-term.
Mr Oakeshott stressed the seriousness of the situation when asked about betting on the outcome of the talks.
"This is not the moment for that," he said.
"This is a time for members of parliament to fulfil their obligations, media to fulfil their obligations.
"We've already been out supposedly backing sides and taking ministries, that is rubbish, this is a time for everyone, betting agencies as well, to fulfil the responsibility to this country."Mr Windsor said they wanted to know as a first step where the budget bottom line is.
"What we are actually talking about here is in terms of the promises that were made during the election campaign by both sides," he said.
"We need a starting point of the finances of the nation."
Mr Oakeshott said while he was uncomfortable with the word "bloc", the three independents have agreed to stand "shoulder to shoulder" to make sure they get the process right.
A possible fourth independent, Andrew Wilkie of the Tasmanian seat of Denison, says he won't form a bloc with the other three.
Mr Oakeshott said they would be encouraging Mr Wilkie to think about joining the group "to make sure we are committed to the national interest, stable government, working our way through this in a sensible manner".
"Don't worry, in a couple of months time, when policies start hitting the floor in whatever form, we'll all be fighting like cats and dogs like everyone else in the parliament could be and should be."
Mr Katter said an early election would not be of their choosing.
‘‘We have resolved very, very strongly that we want undertakings of the strongest possible manner that there’s not just party games played for 10 minutes and then they go out at their opportunity to do what they want to do,’’ he said.
‘‘The people of Australia have spoken and they have decided that other people are going to have a say here.
"It’s no longer a Coles-Woolworths democracy any more.’’
Mr Oakeshott said the independents were aiming towards the end of next week for actual negotiations.
By that stage, all election counting will have been completed and results in.
‘‘In all the requests for papers that we have put to Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott, they are framed around that - heading towards the end of next week for the start of a discussion and negotiations, if necessary,’’ he said.
Mr Windsor said they were trying to pre-empt the possible circumstances.
‘‘If we were to wait to the end of next week and then start this process, everybody would be saying, look this is dragging on,’’ he said.
‘‘We are assuming we could be required, or some of us could be required, for the formation of government and we are starting that process. Hopefully we are not required.’’
Mr Oakeshott said the three of them would return to Canberra on Monday and stay as long as it took.
Trying to wind up the media conference, Mr Oakeshott invoked US hip-hop star Young MC, saying the three rural parliamentarians needed to "bust a move".
The more I read & hear the more I'm convinced the Australian people got it right
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