Oz ruling party inches closer to re-electionCANBERRA, Australia--Australia's government appeared increasing likely to retain power after a knife-edge election, with a third independent lawmaker on Friday offering support to the ruling coalition if it falls short of a majority. The Australian Electoral Commission put the coalition ahead in 74 seats, Labor in 71, and the minor parties and independents in five. ABC election analysts — considered among the most reliable — were forecasting that the coalition had 73 seats, Labor 66, with minor parties and independents leading in five seats. Another independent, Bob Katter, said Thursday that he would also back Turnbull's coalition — meaning the government has the support of three of the five independent and minor party lawmakers in the chamber. But the opposition warned that while the conservative Liberal Party-led coalition was likely to cling to power, the government would not survive a year.

Source: The China Post July 08, 2016 16:18 UTC