The Shooters and Fishers Party will revive its push for expanded hunting in national parks in the next Parliament, potentially forcing the government into fractious upper-house negotiations if it hopes to pass its broad reform agenda.
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At the close of counting on Sunday it appeared the government had secured at least nine upper-house spots, with Labor on seven and the Greens on two.
The Christian Democratic Party and Shooters and Fishers Party appeared set to gain one seat each.
A final spot hangs in the balance. Each of the three parties claim they are in with a chance, but others say it is more likely to go to a micro party – either the Animal Justice Party or No Land Tax.
If the government wins nine seats, it would theoretically only need support from the CDP to pass legislation, including its signature power privatisation plan.
But should the CDP block any laws, the government would be forced into negotiations with other crossbenchers.
Shooters and Fishers MP Robert Borsak said he was confident of being re-elected, and there had been a small swing towards the party.
He said Rev Nile's CDP "is not going to have an absolute balance of power".
"On poles and wires [policy] he certainly would, because we said we'll oppose it and we're not going to change our position," Mr Borsak said.
"But there will be a lot of other things happen in the next four years that I'm sure … the CDP will not be willing to negotiate on, and the government will have to come and talk to us."
The Shooters and Fishers struck a deal with former Premier Barry O'Farrell to introduce hunting into national parks. However the relationship soured when, according to Mr Borsak, Mr O'Farrell restricted the program to "a tiny little trial that was not hunting at all … it's some controlled culling".
He wants hunting expanded to 72 regional and remote national parks.
But a senior government source said voters had delivered the Liberal-Nationals a mandate based on the policies they took to the election, including hunting in national parks, and the coalition was unlikely to meet the Shooters and Fishers' demands.
A senior Labor source said the party still held out hope of snaring an eighth seat based on preference flows.
But the party won nine spots in 2007 – so even if Labor secures eight spots this time, its numbers would still be diminished.
Greens MP John Kaye said his party may win a third seat. If not, Greens preferences would go to the Animal Justice Party, however "nobody is preferencing No Land Tax," he said.
Despite this, No Land Tax lead candidate Peter Jones said his party was "quietly confident" of gaining a seat.
The upper house, or Legislative Council, comprises 42 MPs who serve eight-year terms. At each election, 21 MPs face election.
