Turnbull set to form govt in Australia

Turnbull, 61, wrote to Cosgrove saying Opposition leader Bill Shorten had conceded defeat and the coalition had at least 74 seats in addition to the support from two independents.

“In these circumstances I advise you that I am in a position to form a ministry that has the confidence of the House of Representatives,” Turnbull wrote.

Noting Tunbull’s advice, Cosgrove wrote back accepting the advice.“I accept your advice that you are in a position to form a ministry that has the confidence of the House of Representatives,” Cosgrove said.

“And I await your further advice on proposed changes to the ministry and related administrative arrangements,” he said. Cosgrove is currently overseas.

The Prime Minister met with secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Martin Parkinson in Canberra. As counting continues, three contests remain close - Hindmarsh, Capricornia and Herbert - but the coalition is confident of having 76 seats in the 150-seat lower house.

The Nationals’ 22 MPs, led by Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, will meet on Tuesday to discuss any changes to the agreement, which is essential to forming government.

Joyce will then meet with the Prime Minister on Wednesday.There is pressure on the Liberal leader to give the Nationals an extra frontbench role, after the party gained an extra seat in the election, and conservative Liberals are seeking a stronger position in the ministry line-up.

Turnbull called an early election partly to establish a new mandate for his government after ousting unpopular Tony Abbott as conservative leader 10 months ago.

Shorten on Sunday called Turnbull to congratulate him and conceded electoral defeat even as the vote counting was underway, according to media reports here.

“Whilst counting has not concluded in a number of very close seats, it is clear that Turnbull and his coalition will form a government,” Shorten had said.

 “I respect that our democracy has spoken, I respect that Turnbull has won the election. I hope for our nation’s sake the Coalition does a good job; I hope they run a good government,” he said.