MPs get down and dirty

Talk of political punches and dirty deals are hitting the nation’s airwaves as Federal politicians struggle to put together a stable minority government, for the next three years.

Bob Katter, one of the three rural independents who will hold the balance of power in the new Parliament, at first accused the National Party leader Warren Truss  of throwing a punch at him, then boasted that he had responded by sending “10 back.”

However Mr Katter later issued a statement saying that he had only been speaking figuratively about comments Mr Truss had made about him, on election night – and that no punches had actually been thrown.

Another rural independent, Alby Schultz, who represents the New South Wales seat of Hume, attacked the new West Australian National Party member, Tony Crook, over a deal he said Mr Crook had done with the Labor party to defeat the veteran Liberal MP, Wilson Tuckey. He described Mr Crook’s tactics as “the absolute pits.”

Meanwhile another Liberal Senator Bill Heffernan, admitted that he had telephoned the home of another of the independents, Rob Oakeshott last weekend, and introduced himself, to Mr Oakeshott’s wife as “the devil.”

Mr Heffernan apologised yesterday for his action.

Mr Oakeshott has told the Liberal leader, Tony Abbott, that Coalition MP’s have been conducting a smear campaign against him.

Observers said these developments reflect the pressures that have arisen, as MPs from all sides try to put together a stable minority government, that can  govern Australia for the next three years.

Mr Oakeshott, Mr Katter and a  third independent, Tony Windsor are conducting a series of  meetings this week with the Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Mr Abbott.

So far, they have not indicated which leader they would support in a minority government.

A fourth independent, Andrew Wilkie has  had separate meetings, with the major party leaders.

He also said that he, too, is still undecided.

“I had said I’d hoped to make an announcement about my decision as early as tomorrow,” Mr Wilkie said.

“That may be the case, it may take a little longer.

“I’m well aware the Australian people need an answer quicksmart,” Mr Wilkie added.

“And I would hope this is resolved before the end of the week.”

However he said a decision is definitely closer.

“I feel very optimistic. I think the Australian community can feel quite optimistic that a resolution is coming closer,” Mr Wilkie said.