Independents strike reform deal

Independents Tony Windsor, Bob Katter and Rob Oakeshott (L-R) have secured a deal on parliamentary reforms.

Federal Parliament will have an independent speaker under changes agreed by the three country independents and the major parties.

The independents - Rob Oakeshott, Bob Katter and Tony Windsor - today held talks with Labor and the Coalition about a parliamentary overhaul.

Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Mr Oakeshott said a deal had been reached.

Under the agreement, Question Time will be overhauled, with questions limited to 45 seconds and answers capped at four minutes. The replies must also be relevant.

Mr Oakeshott said the changes would give ordinary MPs more power and strip away some of the control from the executive.

"The Australian political system up until now has been overly dominated by the executive, and the Parliament has played a secondary role to the executive, the ministers," he said.

"In the last parliament we didn't even talk about the gang of four. That's going to change in this parliament, and I think that is a positive change for parliamentary democracy in Australia."

Leader of the House Anthony Albanese and manager of Opposition business Christopher Pyne appeared alongside Mr Oakeshott to hail the deal.

"We have achieved a terrific outcome for the Parliament," Mr Albanese said.

"I'm very happy with these reforms. The Coalition has been pushing for them for some time," Mr Pyne said.

Mr Windsor, who also appeared before reporters, added: "This is a great moment, in my view."

Labor agreed on the independents' proposals yesterday, but there were some sticking points for the Coalition.

However, the Coalition signed off on the deal this afternoon.

"Thankfully there has been goodwill across the board and we nailed it," Mr Oakeshott said.

The independents are expected to announce tomorrow which party they will back to form a minority government.

I think EVERYONE is getting heartily sick of the independants now. Their parliamentary reform ideas might even be a good idea but that is not what the election was about. it was about selecting a govt and the 3 stooges have derailed that process. I believe now we shoudl have a new election simply because i dont think it will ever be possible to have a stable govt with these 3 morons clearly willing to throw their weight around.

The GG should call a new election based on the fact that neither party can form a majority.

Reform is good - and long overdue!

Now we have a semblance of democracy - and the LibLabs are on notice to start delivering on sustainability and the inclusive egalitarianism of the 'fair go'!