Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie has decided to support Labor, giving Julia Gillard 74 seats in her bid to form a minority government.
Mr Wilkie, who took the seat of Denison from Labor, said his support of a returned Gillard government would only extend to not voting for "unwarranted no-confidence" motions.
He would also pass supply motions - and believed it likely "one, or two, or three" of the trio of rural independents would join him in supporting Labor.
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He said he remained concerned at many parts of Labor's policy agenda, including its treatment of refugees, but he would use the parliamentary term to champion appropriate reforms.
Mr Wilkie said he believed Labor held the best chance of forming a stable government for the next three years.
"I have decided to support the ALP. A future Gillard Labor government would have my vote," he told reporters.
"I will approach every policy on its merits."
Mr Wilkie's support effectively gives Labor, which yesterday signed a formal agreement with the Greens, 74 seats - meaning it need the backing of only two of the three rural independent MPs to reach a 76-seat majority in the House of Representatives.
The Coalition has 73 seats, and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott now needs to convince all three independents to support him to reach 76 seats and form government.
The trio, Bob Katter, Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor, are still receiving briefings from departmental officials.
Mr Wilkie said he hoped the trio would support his decision, and indicated the revelation last night by Treasury of a discrepancy of up to $10 billion on the Coalition's costings, might have been a persuasive influence on those talks.
‘‘It’s now more likely that the ALP will get the numbers and perhaps even have a buffer to be able to provide stable government for the next three years,’’ he said.
One of Mr Wilkie’s priorities in negotiations was poker machine reform, in particular the introduction of uniform ‘‘pre-commitment’’ smart card technology.
Mr Wilkie said he had a commitment in writing from Ms Gillard that she would ask state governments to adjust their gaming laws to make the changes.
‘‘If states did not agree, she would look for a legislative way to force them," he said,
‘‘This is unprecedented in this country.
He said he had expressed concerns about the public health care system in southern Tasmania and the state of the Royal Hobart Hospital in particular.
‘‘But it would be reckless of me only to have been involved in a negotiation of money for that one hospital,’’ he said.
He said if Mr Abbott did get the numbers to form a government he would not be obstructive and he would work with whoever was the next prime minister.
‘‘Mr Abbott made a number of commitments to me to get my support, some which were very generous,’’ Mr Wilkie said.
For instance, Mr Abbott offered $1 billion to Tasmania to build a new hospital. He said this was an ‘‘extraordinarily generous offer’’, three times the amount of money Tasmania would probably get through a new round of health and hospital funding.
- Staff Reporters with AAP
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