FED:Minority govt nothing new for states

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2010
FED:Minority govt nothing new for states

Some minority governments in Australia's history



Federal

1940-41 Sir Robert Menzies forms conservative minority government with two Victorian
MPs, which collapses after he is forced to resign and independents support a no-confidence
vote.



States and Territories

Tasmania

1989-90 ALP forms government with five Greens, combining to throw out the incumbent
Liberal Party through a no-confidence vote.



1996-98 Liberals under Tony Rundle form minority government with Greens support.



2010 - onwards. Labor under David Bartlett forms minority government with Greens support.



NSW

1991-95 Coalition forms minority government with support of independents, including
Tony Windsor, who in 2010 is set to be one of those brokering a federal minority government.



Queensland

1996-98 Nationals Borbidge minority government formed with support of one independent.

After a first term plagued by scandal and a One Nation preferencing controversy, the government
is ousted in 1998.



1998-2001 Labor takes power from Borbidge government with its own minority government
under Peter Beattie, with the support of one independent.



ACT

1998-2001 Liberals form minority government with support of independent Michael Moore,
who is made a cabinet minister.



2008-onwards Labor's Stanhope government retains power, forming a minority government
relying on Greens support.



Victoria

1999-2002 Labor Party under Steve Bracks takes power from coalition Kennett government,
with the support of three independents.



South Australia

1989-1993 Labor Party forms minority government with two "Independent Labor" members,
but loses power to Liberals in 1993.



1997-2002 After a swing against it the Liberal Party retains power forming minority
government, with support of one National MP and two independents.



2002-06 Labor Party under Mike Rann forms minority government with independent Peter
Lewis, who is made Speaker of the House.



West Australia

2008 - onwards. Under Colin Barnett, the Liberal Party forms minority government with
support of four National MPs and independent, Elizabeth Constable, who is made a minister
and with loose support from two other independents.



Northern Territory

2009 - onwards. Labor signs Parliamentary Agreement with independent Gerry Wood to
form a minority government. Mr Wood cites "stability of government" as his motivation
for signing.



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