The pure raw delight that Golden Hill manages to conjure pretty much immediately is testament to author Francis Spufford’s love of the 18th century novel and his ability to create a Manhattan Island pulsing with energy and danger.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard will lead Australia’s first minority government in 67 years after two independent politicians threw their support behind her centre-left Labour Party today.

Three “kingmaker” independent MPs had final meetings with Australia’s rival political leaders today before they decide who to elect prime minister of the nation’s first minority government in nearly 70 years.

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.