Independent MP offers support to Gillard

SYDNEY - Independent MP from Tasmania, Andrew Wilkie decided Thursday to support the Labor Party, giving incumbent Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard 74 seats in her bid to form a minority government.

Wilkie, who won the Denison seat, however, said his support to a returned Gillard government would only extend to not voting for “unwarranted no-confidence” motions, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

His support adds up to 74 seats for a Labor majority, who Wednesday signed a formal agreement with the Australian Greens, meaning the party needs the backing of two of the three rural independent MPs to reach a 76-seat majority in the House of Representatives.

Wilkie said he believed that “one, or two, or three” of the trio of rural independent MPS would join him in supporting Labor.

He, however, remained concerned at Labor’s policy agenda, including their treatment of refugees, but would use the parliamentary term to champion appropriate reforms.

Labor held the best chance of forming a stable government for the next three years, he said.

“I have decided to support the ALP (Australian Labor Party). A future Gillard Labor government would have my vote,” he said.