Oz Liberal-National coalition pulls ahead in election race

Melbourne, Aug 24(ANI): Australia's Liberal-National coalition's chances of forming a minority government have taken a dramatic change for the better following counting of votes in two key seats.

Analysts have given the crucial Tasmanian seat of Denison to the independent Andrew Wilkie after he drew 1375 votes ahead of Labor's Jonathan Jackson.

If Wilkie wins the seat it will push the number of independents in the new parliament to four, adding confusion to an already complex situation.

Neither the coalition nor Labor will reach the 76 lower house seats needed to govern in their own right.

Instead, both will have to negotiate support for a minority government with a crossbench that could include six MPs.

According to The Age, the coalition is in the box seat with 72 seats so far to Labor's 71.

Meanwhile, Labor's chances in Hasluck (WA) have been dealt a blow with the first batch of postal votes breaking the way of the Liberals' Ken Wyatt.

Wyatt has extended his lead over sitting MP Sharryn Jackson to 533 votes, giving the coalition hope it will finish poll counting with 73 seats. (ANI)