Australia’s Election Deadlock

The result of the Australian 2010 election is a hung parliament, which means that Australia will remain in a period of continuing uncertainty in relation to migration policy. A hung parliament means that neither party (Liberal or Labour) can pass laws without gaining support from other parties or independent members of the House. This outcome is that the Green party and Independent’s have increased power.

Perhaps the most interesting debate may be on population and immigration issues, with an interesting overlap of views between the independents and the Greens on repopulating rural Australia.

It is hard to see a quick resolution of the many outstanding migration issues. Whatever governing coalition is cobbled together will not have any mandate for a new productivity agenda or new policy disciplines, particularly with the Greens holding the Senate balance of power.

On a positive note, Australia's strong democratic traditions mean this political uncertainty should be manageable