The government is poised to avoid a no-confidence motion being called despite hurtling towards a disastrous defeat in the Wentworth by-election.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
With independent Kerryn Phelps' likely victory in the traditional Liberal Party stronghold, the coalition is bracing itself for a minority government by holding only 75 seats in the House of Representatives.
But Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he sees "no reason" for a vote to be called.
"We have a very good relationship with the cross bench and people can expect us to get to the work," Mr Morrison told reporters on Sunday.
"What I will continue to do is be working closely with the crossbenchers, as I have been doing, because ... we have been at 75 (seats), not 76, since the former prime minister resigned.
"In that time we had been able to legislate, run the parliament and we haven't lost a single vote."
If Dr Phelps is declared the winner following the counting of postal votes, there will be a cross bench of six members in the lower house, with Labor holding 69 seats.
She has all but ruled out helping force an early election or supporting a no-confidence motion in the government.
"I've certainly said that the government and all governments should go full term unless there are exceptional circumstances, and the next election is due in May next year, and that's time enough," Dr Phelps told ABC TV on Sunday.
Bob Katter has put pressure on other crossbenchers to avoid an early election.
"I hope that other crossbenchers would see it the same way as I do (that) any further instability in government by leadership or early elections will result in us having more prime ministers than Pakistan," Mr Katter said.
Centre Alliance's Rebekha Sharkie said a no-confidence vote would be unlikely.
"I will not be holding the prime minister to ransom but I am keen to work with them and also to hold them to account," Ms Sharkie told ABC TV on Sunday.
"I will sit down with the prime minister and the crossbenchers and have a conversation about what the government should look like."
But Greens MP Adam Bandt said an election needed to be called.
"I won't be offering support to a Morrison government ... the sooner we turf out this rotten government, the better," Mr Bandt said.
Andrew Wilkie said he would not guarantee support, while fellow independent Cathy McGowan said with postal votes still being counted, she would not comment on the situation until Monday.
Senior Labor MP Tony Burke did not believe there would be enough votes to bring about a no-confidence motion.
"We want to see a Shorten Labor government be elected at a general election," Mr Burke told ABC TV on Sunday.
Australian Associated Press
