NFP Says Minority Government Could Be Good
5 July 2016 at 5:12 pm
Not for Profit Anglicare Australia has argued that minority government could be a good thing.
The peak social advocacy organisation argued on Tuesday that the political parties should use the current negotiating period as an opportunity to focus on governing for a more inclusive society.
Anglicare Australia executive director Kasy Chambers said there was nothing “inherently unstable” about minority government, it just needed “to be conducted in a collaborative way”.
“The uncertainty of this week might prove to be a positive outcome,” Chambers said.
“Just for a few days, all bets are off, and the leaders of our major political parties are honour bound to listen to the voters and the range of senators and local members they have elected.”
Research released by the organisation a year ago pointed to the declining living standards for people on the lowest incomes.
Chambers said the election result reflected the fact the changing economy was leaving people behind.
“New governments often promise to govern for all Australians. That is as it should be. But that’s a hollow trope if a particular commitment is not made to govern for those who are doing it tough,” Chambers said.
“During the election campaign Anglicare Australia highlighted the importance of affordable housing, an adequate income and secure work; and pointed to the interdependence of these things.
“Living standards of those on the lowest incomes are falling further behind and basic necessities are more difficult to attain.
“This finely balanced election result, and the possibility of minority government, is an opportunity for a more thoughtful and inclusive approach to governing.”
It comes as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he was still confident the coalition would get the numbers to secure majority government.
Speaking alongside Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce in Sydney, Turnbull said he accepted full responsibility for the Coalition’s campaign.
Meanwhile opposition leader Bill Shorten announced at a media conference on Tuesday there was a “very real chance” Turnbull was considering to call a snap election in attempt to quell problems in his party.
Earlier today the electoral commission officials began counting more than one million postal votes.
At the time of publishing the Coalition held 67 seats while Labor held 71. Six seats are not yet determined.
