Three independent politicians who will likely decide which party governs Australia said today they plan to demand details of how much competing election promises would cost the nation over the next three years.

Leaders of Australia’s two major political parties lobbied for support from independent MPs today to stitch together the nation’s first minority government since the war.

LEADERS of Australia’s two major political parties lobbied for support from independent lawmakers yesterday to stitch together the nation’s first minority government since World War II after the closest election in almost 50 years.

The leaders of Australia’s two major political parties began negotiating power deals with independent lawmakers today after the nation’s closest election in decades failed to deliver a clear mandate to govern.

Prime minister Julia Gillard said today no major party had won a majority of parliamentary seats in Australia’s general election and she had started negotiating with independent MPs in an effort to cling to power.

It could take more than a week to learn who will govern Australia after a cliffhanger election – the closest in nearly 50 years – and the winner may have to woo the support of a handful of independent lawmakers in order to assume power.

Australia’s second-longest serving prime minister John Howard officially lost his Sydney seat today following his government’s defeat at elections last month.

The Labour Party candidate who ousted former Australian Prime Minister John Howard from his Sydney constituency after 33 years formally declared victory today.

Australians entered a new political era today after electing their first new prime minister in more than a decade, and handing four-term leader John Howard a humiliating loss.

Australia’s outgoing Prime Minister John Howard said it is “very likely” he will lose his seat in Parliament, minutes after he conceded defeat in the national election.

Labour Party leader Kevin Rudd appeared set for a sweeping victory in Australia’s elections today, ending a conservative era and ushering in major changes to policies on global warming and the Iraq war.

Final counting of votes in Australia’s October 9 election showed today that Prime Minister John Howard has won control of both the upper and lower houses of parliament.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard appeared to be heading for a historic fourth-term victory in his country’s federal election today, in a vote that will ensure the country keeps its troops in Iraq.