Election's over - now negotiations begin

Independent MP Bob Katter. Photo / Getty Images

Australia's two potential premiers have started talks with the three men who may well determine their fate.

The three 'kingmaker' independents - Bob Katter, Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott - have entered into confidential negotiations with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition leader Tony Abbott.

The independents have promised to support whoever best offers stable government, but say a final deal cannot be struck until after the election's final vote count, which is not expected for several days.

Mr Oakeshott stressed the seriousness of the situation when asked about betting on the outcome of the talks.

"This is not the moment for that," he said.

"This is a time for members of parliament to fulfil their obligations, media to fulfil their obligations.

"We've already been out supposedly backing sides and taking ministries, that is rubbish, this is a time for everyone, betting agencies as well, to fulfil the responsibility to this country."

Mr Windsor said they wanted to know as a first step where the budget bottom line is.

"What we are actually talking about here is in terms of the promises that were made during the election campaign by both sides," he said.

"We need a starting point of the finances of the nation."

Mr Oakeshott said while he was uncomfortable with the word "bloc", the three independents have agreed to stand "shoulder to shoulder" to make sure they get the process right.

A possible fourth independent, Andrew Wilkie of the Tasmanian seat of Denison, says he won't form a bloc with the other three.

Mr Oakeshott said they would be encouraging Mr Wilkie to think about joining the group "to make sure we are committed to the national interest, stable government, working our way through this in a sensible manner".

"Don't worry, in a couple of months time, when policies start hitting the floor in whatever form, we'll all be fighting like cats and dogs like everyone else in the parliament could be and should be."

Mr Katter said an early election would not be of their choosing.

"We have resolved very, very strongly that we want undertakings of the strongest possible manner that there's not just party games played for 10 minutes and then they go out at their opportunity to do what they want to do," he said.

"The people of Australia have spoken and they have decided that other people are going to have a say here. It's no longer a Coles-Woolworths democracy any more."

Mr Oakeshott said the independents were aiming towards the end of next week for actual negotiations.

By that stage, all election counting will have been completed and results in.

"In all the requests for papers that we have put to Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott, they are framed around that - heading towards the end of next week for the start of a discussion and negotiations, if necessary," he said.

Mr Windsor said they were trying to pre-empt the possible circumstances.

"If we were to wait to the end of next week and then start this process, everybody would be saying, look this is dragging on," he said.

"We are assuming we could be required, or some of us could be required, for the formation of government and we are starting that process. Hopefully we are not required."

Mr Oakeshott said the three of them would return to Canberra on Monday and stay as long as it took.

- AAP