Australia independent MP sees govt by early next week

31/08/2010 - 23:12

CANBERRA (Reuters) - An Australian independent member of parliament said on Wednesday he expected a decision to be reached by early next week on whether to support the ruling Labour party or opposition conservatives to form a minority government.

"I think it might be a bit optimistic to say this week, but I would be very surprised if it went beyond Monday or Tuesday," rural-based independent Bob Katter told Australian television.

Neither the conservative opposition nor Prime Minister Julia Gillard's Labour Party won a clear majority in an election on August 21, handing the balance of power to a handful of independents. The two sides are now wrangling to secure enough support from independent MPs to form a minority government.

(Reporting by Rob Taylor; Editing by Ed Davies)