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Malcolm Turnbull meets crossbenchers as Coalition pulls ahead in key seats Malcolm Turnbull meets crossbenchers as Coalition pulls ahead in key seats
(35 minutes later)
Malcolm Turnbull has held face-to-face talks with Nick Xenophon, and will meet on Thursday with Bob Katter, as contingency planning continues for potential minority government scenarios.Malcolm Turnbull has held face-to-face talks with Nick Xenophon, and will meet on Thursday with Bob Katter, as contingency planning continues for potential minority government scenarios.
The prime minister met Xenophon in Sydney on Wednesday, and was likely to go to Brisbane to meet Katter on Thursday. The potential parliamentary kingmakers were also coordinating among themselves as the election count on Wednesday seemed to be firming in the Coalition’s favour.The prime minister met Xenophon in Sydney on Wednesday, and was likely to go to Brisbane to meet Katter on Thursday. The potential parliamentary kingmakers were also coordinating among themselves as the election count on Wednesday seemed to be firming in the Coalition’s favour.
The most recent seat-by-seat updates available on Wednesday afternoon showed the Coalition had pulled slightly ahead of Labor in three crucial electorates, putting it closer to the 76 seats needed to form majority government.The most recent seat-by-seat updates available on Wednesday afternoon showed the Coalition had pulled slightly ahead of Labor in three crucial electorates, putting it closer to the 76 seats needed to form majority government.
Related: Why is it taking so long to get a result in the Australian election?Related: Why is it taking so long to get a result in the Australian election?
Both Xenophon and Katter had left open the prospect of entering formal minority agreements with the Coalition – unlike Cathy McGowan and Andrew Wilkie, who said they would approach a hung parliament vote by vote.Both Xenophon and Katter had left open the prospect of entering formal minority agreements with the Coalition – unlike Cathy McGowan and Andrew Wilkie, who said they would approach a hung parliament vote by vote.
Even if the Coalition gets the seats to govern in its own right, given the slender nature of the likely majority, the prime minister needs to invest in crossbench relationships for the new parliament, with Xenophon a major Senate player.Even if the Coalition gets the seats to govern in its own right, given the slender nature of the likely majority, the prime minister needs to invest in crossbench relationships for the new parliament, with Xenophon a major Senate player.
Turnbull’s talks with Xenophon in Sydney on Wednesday centred on the fate of steelmaker Arrium. Xenophon had been lobbying for the Coalition to increase the level of assistance for the troubled company, but the crossbencher said it was “still early days”.Turnbull’s talks with Xenophon in Sydney on Wednesday centred on the fate of steelmaker Arrium. Xenophon had been lobbying for the Coalition to increase the level of assistance for the troubled company, but the crossbencher said it was “still early days”.
Katter was understood to be still formulating his agenda for the conversation on Thursday.Katter was understood to be still formulating his agenda for the conversation on Thursday.
Despite the rolling recriminations within the Coalition about the recent campaign, the prime minister was pushing on with normal business, also meeting both the treasurer, Scott Morrison, and the Reserve Bank governor for a briefing about the economic outlook and the bank’s interest rate decision.Despite the rolling recriminations within the Coalition about the recent campaign, the prime minister was pushing on with normal business, also meeting both the treasurer, Scott Morrison, and the Reserve Bank governor for a briefing about the economic outlook and the bank’s interest rate decision.
The trend of the count was favouring the Coalition. The Coalition entered Wednesday sitting on 70 seats, but according to the ABC’s election analyst, Antony Green, it could claim at least 73 seats.The trend of the count was favouring the Coalition. The Coalition entered Wednesday sitting on 70 seats, but according to the ABC’s election analyst, Antony Green, it could claim at least 73 seats.
The Coalition had a very strong chance of picking up the seats of Gilmore and Chisholm, Green said. He called Dunkley for the Liberals late on Wednesday afternoon.The Coalition had a very strong chance of picking up the seats of Gilmore and Chisholm, Green said. He called Dunkley for the Liberals late on Wednesday afternoon.
The other two seats had not been officially called by the ABC’s election calculator but the changes would put the Coalition on 73 seats, with Labor remaining on 67 seats.The other two seats had not been officially called by the ABC’s election calculator but the changes would put the Coalition on 73 seats, with Labor remaining on 67 seats.
Eight crucial seats remain under the spotlight: Seven crucial seats remain under the spotlight:
Related: Backroom deals: we can't govern the nation on a wink and a nod | Ben OquistRelated: Backroom deals: we can't govern the nation on a wink and a nod | Ben Oquist
The seat of Forde has moved to Coalition hands, from Labor’s, with a tiny margin of 94 votes. Labor’s lead has been cut to 167 in the South Australian seat of Hindmarsh. The seat of Forde has moved to Coalition hands, from Labor’s, with a tiny margin of 130 votes. Labor’s lead has been cut to 140 in the South Australian seat of Hindmarsh.
Labor expects to pick up Cowan.Labor expects to pick up Cowan.
According to the Australian Electoral Commission, four seats too close to call are Herbert, Hindmarsh, Forde and Gilmore.According to the Australian Electoral Commission, four seats too close to call are Herbert, Hindmarsh, Forde and Gilmore.
Overnight, Guardian Australia psephologist and election blogger Ben Raue said the Coalition could reach a 76-seat majority by winning four out of five of Flynn, Capricornia, Forde, Gilmore and Herbert. Guardian Australia psephologist and election blogger Ben Raue said the Coalition could reach a 76-seat majority by winning four out of five of Flynn, Capricornia, Forde, Gilmore and Herbert.