Windsor says PM call likely today

Tony Windsor

AAP Images

Poll

Who do you back to form a minority government?

This poll ended on 26 October 2010.

Coalition

57%

Labor

36%

Neither

5%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

More Federal Election news

• Mackay Daily Mercury
• Rockhampton Morning Bulletin
• Gladstone Observer
• Bundaberg NewsMail
• Fraser Coast Chronicle
• Gympie Times
• Sunshine Coast Daily
• Toowoomba Chronicle
• Warwick Daily News
• Ipswich Queensland Times
• Tweed Daily News
• Northern Rivers Northern Star
• Clarence Valley Daily Examiner
• Coffs Coast Advocate

Important links

• Official 2010 Federal Election Results
• Federal Election 2010 news section

INDEPENDENT MP Tony Windsor says he expects a decision on the next government early Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Windsor said he and his fellow independents had yet to make a final decision on whether to go with Labor or the coalition.

"We are waiting on some final documents back from both leaders, I think about nine o'clock this morning," he told ABC Radio.

"Then the three of us will get together and talk it through."

Mr Windsor said the independents held a number of discussions yesterday.

"And (we will) hopefully make a final decision for announcement today," he said.

"My guess would be probably early afternoon, but as soon as we can announce it we will." Mr Windsor said he was leaning one way - but wouldn't say just which way.

He said stability of government remained the most important issue.

"Can we put something in place that will last and work for a period of time?" he said.

"And obviously that will depend on the three of us talking together. What we all want to avoid, and I think the community as well wants to avoid, is a 75-all draw which would mean another election." Mr Windsor said once all information was before the independents, they would reach a decision fairly quickly.

"I don't think we have got to have a major debate over it," he said.

Mr Windsor said the focus on regional Australia was very welcome and both leaders had tried to address the issues they had raised.

That was likely to carry over to the parliament irrespective of who formed government, he said.

"In that sense it will or should be a very exciting parliament for regional Australia," he said.

"What we have seen in recent decades is a lot of policy that impacts on country people is formulated with city-based marginal seats political agendas in mind. I think we will see a more than subtle change in that for the period of this parliament."