Prime Minister Scott Morrison has ruled out striking a deal with independents in order to form government, despite declining to do so just a day earlier.
All polling indicates the May 21 poll will be a tight contest and that could result in the major parties needing the support of independents to govern.
But a day after he refused to explicitly rule it out, Mr Morrison stamped out any confusion.
“I won’t be doing any deals with independents,” he told reporters in Perth.
Asked if he would prefer to be in opposition over minority government, Mr Morrison danced around the question.
“Well, that is the choice that Australians have to make,” he said.
“Do they want a Liberal National government that has taken Australia through one of the most difficult times this country has seen since the Second World War and the Great Depression who has a clear economic plan … Or a Labor Opposition supported by the Greens whose views change from one day to the next?”
Earlier, Labor leader Anthony Albanese issued his own emphatic rejection he would seek out negotiations with independents in order to form government.
“There will be no deal with the independents and crossbenchers. I’m seeking to form a government in my own right,” he told Brisbane’s 4BC.
“I’m the only person running for prime minister who can form a government in their own right.”
While Labor maintains a lead over the Coalition in the latest Newspoll – 53 to 47 on a two party preferred basis – primary votes for the two major parties have kept the reality of a hung parliament in play.
Labor’s primary vote has dropped to 36 per cent, falling one point from the previous poll and down from 41 per cent just a few weeks ago.
However, the Coalition also took a hit, declining to 35 per cent.
Australia’s last hung parliament was in 2010 when Julia Gillard negotiated a supply and confidence arrangement with the crossbench, despite Labor winning one less seat txjmtzywhan the Coalition.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was also asked several times on Tuesday if he would be willing to negotiate with the “teal” independents.
The Coalition is under pressure in several blue ribbon seats across the country from challengers with links to the Climate 200 movement, such as Allegra Spender and Monique Ryan.
Many use a teal colour palette – hence the name ‘teal independents’ – and are demanding greater action on climate change and a federal anti-corruption commission.
But Mr Joyce declined to respond to the question, insisting he would “not go down a hypothetical path” on the issue.
But the Energy Minister has ruled out a cut to Australia’s coal and gas industry to stay in power.
“We have been very clear on our policies in this area,” Angus Taylor told 4BC.
“We will not be cutting off those major projects in order to reduce our emissions.”
