Australian PM secures slender majority

SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s conservative coalition secured enough seats to govern according to Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) projections on Monday. The results were confirmed after a cliffhanger July 2 election.

Turnbull’s Liberal-Nationals are expected to win 76 seats, the minimum for a majority. Meanwhile the opposition Labor party is predicted to win 69 seats, said ABC.

Counting is continuing in some closely fought contests and a final declaration may take several more days.

Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said the coalition had a clear mandate to deliver on its election promises. “Whether you win a grand final by one goal or six goals, a win is a win is a win,” Pyne told ABC radio.

The make-up of the Senate, where the government requires support for legislative changes, is still unclear.

However, small parties run by far-right politicians are on track to win several positions.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 12^th, 2016.