Both major parties face a steep uphill battle to muster workable support from enough crossbenchers to form a minority government if, as seems possible, the election produces a hung parliament.
MEET THE INDEPENDENTS
Adam Bandt, Greens, Melbourne
- First elected 2010
- Former lawyer. Views are left-wing, pro-environment. Has ruled out doing a deal with the Coalition but willing to negotiate with Labor.
Cathy McGowan, independent, Indi
- First elected 2013
- Former farming lobbyist. Takes pro-regional and agriculture positions, strongly supports marriage equality and has opposed the Coalition on issues such as university deregulation, asylum-seekers and scrapping the carbon tax. Has ruled out any deal.
Bob Katter, Katter’s Australian Party, Kennedy
- First elected 1993
- Long-serving former Nationals state and federal MP. Strongly protectionist on trade, socially conservative, opposes privatisation and restrictive on immigration. Has said he’s willing to talk to all sides, though he previously supported the Coalition during the hung parliament of 2010.
Andrew Wilkie, independent, Denison
- First elected 2010
- Former Army officer and intelligence analyst. Generally holds left-leaning views, was part of alliance between Labor, Greens and independents under Julia Gillard. Has ruled out any deal.
Rebekha Sharkie, Nick Xenophon Team, Mayo
- First elected 2016
- Former lawyer and Liberal staffer who worked briefly for Jamie Briggs who she unseated to become the NXT’s first lower house MP. The party wants to save local manufacturing jobs and is sceptical about free trade deals and against predatory gambling.
Andrea Broadfoot, Nick Xenophon Team candidate, Grey
- Results in the seat are not yet final, with a recount under way
- Port Lincoln council member who is running ahead of Liberal Rowan Ramsey in a recount. Her local campaign focused on employment and manufacturing, including at steelworks Arrium in Whyalla.
