New South Wales

Top news stories, features and analysis filed by the ABC's network of journalists around the State.

Labor clings to power

Independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott have broken Australia's political deadlock by agreeing to back Julia Gillard in a Labor minority government.

After more than a fortnight of suspense, Mr Oakeshott and Mr Windsor today revealed their intention to give Labor their crucial votes, meaning it has secured the 76 seats needed to rule.

Their decision came hot on the heels of Bob Katter, who earlier confirmed he would back the Coalition, putting it on 74 votes.

Mr Oakeshott's and Mr Windsor's decision to swing behind Labor is a bitter blow for Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, who came closer than anyone expected to winning the election. In recent days he pleaded with the country trio not to forget their conservative roots.

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Tags: government-and-politics, elections, federal-elections, australia, qld

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Stateline

with Quentin Dempster

Choose your region

  1. An Apple iPod sits on a table Headphone danger

    A pedestrian group is warning that listening to loud music while crossing roads, could be fatal.

  2. Sports ground goes under in Vic floods Wild weather gallery

    Rain and wind batter south-eastern Australia, wreaking havoc across several states.

  3. Locust Locust attack

    Scientists say conditions are ripe for millions of locust eggs to hatch in parts of Australia's south-east.

  4. Same-sex couple holding a baby Gay adoption

    Mhairi McClymont explains why, as an adopted person, she thinks NSW must allow adoption by gay couples.

  5. Sydney remembers the Olympics Olympic reunion

    Thousands of people are expected to mark the tenth anniversary of the 2000 Olympic Games.

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Albury

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Bega

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Broken Hill

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Canberra

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Coffs Harbour

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Dubbo

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Lismore

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Newcastle

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Sydney

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Tamworth

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Wagga Wagga

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Wollongong

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