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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Body found
Police have found the body of a 15-year-old Sydney teenager who went missing in the New South Wales Snowy Mountains yesterday. (photos)
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Strike force to probe NRL betting
A strike force of specialist detectives has been formed to investigate suspicious betting activity surrounding last month's Canterbury-North Queensland NRL match.
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