Julia Gillard will remain Australian PM after two of three independent MPs announced their support for the Labor party this afternoon.The August 21 federal elections failed to deliver any party a majority, in a first since 1940.
In a press conference shortly after 5pm NZT this afternoon, Tony Windsor and Robert Oakeshott announced their support for a Labor-led government.
Earlier this afternoon one of the country's kingmaker independent lawmakers Bob Katter announced his support for opposition leader Tony Abbott and his conservative coalition. The announcement appeared to bring the party closer to forming a minority government.
However the announcements by Mr Windsor and Mr Oakeshott secure Ms Gillard's position as prime minister.Mr Katter had said he would have chosen differently, had former PM Kevin Rudd still been Labor leader.
"Kevin's thinking and my thinking are very similar," he said.
"I'm very good friends with him."
The Labor party has ruled in Australia for the past three years.
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