Can the minor parties or independents form government?

If minor parties and independents have the support of more than half – at least 76 – of the members in the House of Representatives, they could form government by agreeing to work together. They could also agree to form a coalition with one of the major parties to form government.

However, it is more likely that minor party members and independents would provide support to – not join with – a major party or coalition of parties to allow them to form government. This can be the case when a federal election results in a hung parliament – no party or coalition of parties has enough seats to form government.