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SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will meet with independent legislators on Monday to strengthen support for his government as he is on the verge of losing his single parliamentary majority.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks at the Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games at the Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia on October 20, 2018. REUTERS / Phil Noble
The ruling Liberal party was defeated at 20% in a by-election in Sydney, leaving the government dependent on the support of five independents to survive.
To date, several independent legislators have offered only qualified support to Morrison to continue, warning that their support would be contingent on policy changes.
Cathy McGowan, a member of the ruling government who resigned to sit as an independent, said he expected a meeting between the five legislators and Prime Minister on Monday.
"Ideally, I would like to see the government come to the end of its mandate, but we, opposition members, have these discussions today with the Prime Minister, the treasurer and the government. various other ministers, "McGowan told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Morrison is expected to return to the polls by May 2019.
Sources close to the projects of other independent legislators told Reuters that no meeting had yet been scheduled while discussions were underway. A spokesman for Morrison declined to comment.
Morrison's decision to meet independent legislators comes as his Liberal candidate maintains a slim chance of victory in the Wentworth electorate.
Independent candidate Kerryn Phelps has an advance of more than 1,600 votes, although several thousand votes by correspondence are still counted.
Morrison returned Saturday his seat, vacated by former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull after his retirement from politics after his dismissal in August, though he admitted later that he had perhaps conceded too soon.
The vote was propelled into international prominence after Morrison's latest attempt to gain the support of Jewish voters, who represent 13 percent of Wentworth's electorate, by suggesting that Australia recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. and move his embassy from Tel Aviv.
Report by Colin Packham; Edited by Daniel Wallis
