Pipsqueak or potato? Tough choice in a hung parliament

The wait was agonising. Seventeen minutes that seemed to stretch into hours. Some gave up and left the room. Those who remained implored the speaker to cut to the chase and deliver the punchline so we - and the country - could get on with our lives.

It was September 7, 2010, the speaker: independent MP Rob Oakeshott on whose shoulders rested the fate of the nation. Finally, after sharing in excruciating detail how he arrived at his decision, he delivered it. He'd back in Julia Gillard as prime minister in the hung parliament the electorate had delivered.

With polls suggesting another hung parliament is the likely outcome of this year's election, here's a plea to the crossbench who'll decide whether the country endures a pipsqueak or a potato as PM for the next three years: do not do an Oakeshott when you announce your decision. Make it brief.

We're going to hear a lot about the perils of minority government from both major parties over the next few months so it's worth taking a look back at Gillard's truncated term.

There was, of course, the broken promise on the carbon tax, necessary to win the Greens' support to form government. The tax came in but the sky didn't fall, just as it didn't when John Howard's never-ever GST was introduced a few years earlier.

But there was also an impressive record on getting legislation passed - up there with Bob Hawke's government or Malcolm Fraser's before it. Not bad for a government which had to negotiate every bill with the crossbench. If legislation passed is a measure of a government's effectiveness, Gillard's term was impressive.

But all that was lost in the noise and chaos of Labor's revolving door factional politics - a diseased baton it passed to the Coalition when it came to power in 2013. Like Gillard, Tony Abbott didn't last the full term. Unlike Gillard, he continues to yell from the sidelines in his post-politics life while gets on with her work with quiet dignity.

Would a minority Labor government in 2025 be able to match Gillard's legislative record? I say Labor because it's unlikely the Greens would back in Dutton and the Coalition. There would have to be some rapprochement because Labor has been at war with the Greens for most of this term. Can obstinate Albo stomach the humble pie this would involve? Probably. It's amazing just how quickly a politician will swallow their own words if it means clinging to power.

Should a minority government come to pass, there'll have to be less combat and more co-operation if it's going to get stuff done. It will involve the change to the way politics is done that Albanese promised when elected but largely failed to deliver.

It might just be what the country needs if faith in the political system is to survive. As long as it's not delivered via a 17-minute speech.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you think we'll end up with a minority government after the federal election? Is there a chance such an outcome might improve our politics? Will you voting for the major parties or seeking out an independent? Email us: echidna@theechidna.com.au

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THEY SAID IT: "A good compromise, a good piece of legislation, is like a good sentence; or a good piece of music. Everybody can recognise it. They say, 'Huh. It works. It makes sense.'" - Barack Obama

YOU SAID IT: Tired of Trump and his rapid-fire imperial proclamations? That's just the way he wants it.

"I have been an avid Trump watcher (and reader) for the last 10 years or so," writes Rob. "As a phenomenon, he and his cult have fascinated me. It's a bit like watching a train wreck. I am now exhausted, I am considering canceling the US news subscriptions I have 'enjoyed' for the last decade. No longer can I maintain my outrage at his performative chaos. It has become just too bizarre and just plain frightening."

Brad writes: "I am in the 'Deploy the Mute' Group. Trump-Musk and puppets are right up there with MAFS and gambling ads on my list of items that are denied sound unless I'm flicking to streaming/recorded alternatives. My overarching concern is the impact of this junk on the functioning of our political system because we lack any sense of independence at an international level."

"Don's modus operandi is to make extreme statements and appoint extremists in key positions to get outcomes he actually wants," writes Paul. "It's a bully tactic, but so far he is getting away with it. It will take a few people to call his bluff, before the tactic starts to fail. His tactic won't work with China and Russia - the fallout over Taiwan in the former case will be the first nail in his MO coffin."

Chas writes: "Enjoyed The Echidna view on the Trump shenanigans. Only in America, as I saw written somewhere. On a similar topic, my recent online investment arrived yesterday: my MAGA cap with the subscript Make Albo Go Away, which I will proudly wear for the next few months."

"I prefer 'potentially prophetic' rather than 'mournful' when referring to Robert Reich," writes Old Donald. "Among those few who have their fingers on the pulse, he seems for me to be pretty near the facts. Being right doesn't disqualify a journo."

Monica writes: "We probably should ignore all his crazy brain-fart executive orders he pumps out daily and instead focus on trying to figure out the really dangerous democracy destroying and people controlling measures that are being cooked up in the background with Musk."

"Trump is definitely a worry," writes Peter. "In the 1930s, there was a man who was going to make Germany great again and look how that ended up. Now, regrettably for the world, we have a very similar character who is going to make America great again ... but at whose expense? Since President Trump's inauguration, there has been an endless stream of congratulation and arse kissing by other national leaders paying homage. He's loving it because he thinks he's a world emperor and, in his own view, a peacemaker. On a personal level, I've had enough of Trump with the daily media saturation of every move he makes. And, of course, all this attention is what he craves!"

Ros writes: "I cannot stand the sound of Trump's voice - I mute the TV as soon as he starts speaking. I agree, we all need a break from the relentless coverage of all the Trumpian diktats."

"We are slowly becoming inured to Trump, as programmed by Bannon," writes Bill. "But I am reminded of an old joke: a sinner arrives in hell, to be greeted by the devil and lots of resident sinners standing waist-deep in shit. Men are drinking grog, smoking cigars, eating caviar. The devil explains this is normal. Gee, this is not as bad as anticipated, says the newbie. Suddenly, a bell rings. A large ugly man cracks a whip and yells: "OK, smokos over, heads under again." I think Trump has a few more levels to announce. You might need a Trump-free month, not a week."

Mike writes: "A well-earned Trump detox - now that's a self-care regimen I can get behind! A week without the circus, the clowns, and the ever-present Sharpie proclamations must have felt like stepping out of a smoky pub into fresh mountain air. But alas, the floodgates of nonsense are never closed for long. Here's to keeping our heads above water, our chook feed rationed, and our sanity intact. Cheers to fresh air-both meteorological and editorial."

"Why did you take only one week off?" asks Christopher. "The name of the scoundrel heading up the United States of Insanity is not mentioned in my house. There are seriously dark days ahead for vulnerable people everywhere."