The 5 Independents....who are they?

[silverstars]

What do they stand for and who are they likely to side with if it is a Hung Parliament?

Anyone know?

[Mrs Nietzsche]

I believe there's a Green, and an ex Green.

There's also 3 who are associated with coalition (ie ex national etc I think)

I can't look a lot up because my internet is being slowed unfortunately.

But the conservative independents are all saying that they won't necessarily vote along coalition lines.

I am unsure whether this is genuine or just said to improve their bargaining position when Abbott comes calling.

(Also the media will report those kinds of things to drum up the suspense of course)

[faroutbrusselsprout]

2 from NSW, Rob and Tony
1 from QL, Bob *shudder*
1 from Melbourne, Adam - Greens
1 from Tas Andrew, (ex green)

I'm thinking Andrew and Adam will back Labor (Adam has already said this)

Although the other three say they are "independent" they all have a National Background.

Tony and Bob are most concerned about rural Australia so hopefully Julia gets the right person to have a chat to them!
Bob, I'm pretty sure won't have a bar of labour, Rob from NSW may be our next best bet.

Thats a VERY simple summary! I'm barely keeping up myself! :o

[jaq]

Bob Katter is a pretty scary dude in terms of saying outrageous things and coming over as being very hayseed and a bit thick. HOWEVER, he is a very astute political operator, and he works his butt off for his electorate ... and will go with whoever offers him the biggest carrots for FNQ.

He is formerly LNP but left because they weren't doing enough for the North.

(my parents live in his electorate and always vote for Bob because he supports the farmers and works for services in the North. Little things like roads, post offices, hospitals, :p)

[silverstars]

Okay thanks.

So that looks tipped in Tony Abbott's favor to me.

I can't see any of the conservatives siding with Julia, but I guess stranger things have happened.

[veve]

they could all surprise us with their choices - it will depend heavily on what is offered to them, with regards to their OWN region (would be kinda nice to live in one of those areas .. I'm pretty sure they will do better than the rest of us out of this) ...

bob katter is a bit of a nutter - but he NEVER gets even close to losing an election, so as an independent he certainly does something right (even if his election ads are tragic .. rofl) ..

I'm not thinking either party has a certain win at this stage ... I'm still gobsmacked at how close the election was!

[KatiesMum]

A lot will depend on the final seat counts.

If Labor gets 74 ... the Greens (Brandt) and the Tassie Ind (Wilkie) will probably form a government with Labor.

I would strongly suggest Bob Katter will vote with Liberals .... especially on the mining tax issue as he is squarely in the region with all the mining.

The 2 NSW independants I would assume will vote with Liberals if they offer them enough.

[silverstars]

Found his website

http://www.bobkatter.com.au/

[veve]

more importantly - here is he ad for the election :laughing: made me laugh .. funny man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ_zYZBDmls

[Mrs Nietzsche]

It seems it is literally going to come down to one seat.