The political impasse in Australia is nearing a resolution as Julia Gillard’s Labor Party picked up two more seats in parliament (IOD Aug.24,p1). Independent Andrew Wilkie and Greens MP Adam Bandt have thrown their support behind Gillard, pushing her closer to victory over Tony Abbott, leader of the conservative Liberal-National coalition. Neither party garnered enough votes in the Aug. 21 election to form a government. Labor now holds 74 seats, two shy of the majority needed to form a government. The Liberal-Nationals have 73.
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