Australians can count... but s l o w l y

The Australian General Elections held on the 21 August, 2010 would not have the complete results, probably in weeks, according to political analysts. As at noon 23rd, August, the Australian Elections Commission has confirmed that Labour and the Liberal Coalition each had won 71 seats; 4 other seats were won by 3 independents and one Green party. There were still 4 seats undecided as counting was still on going as only 79% of the total votes have been counted, after more than 72 hours.
No wonder Paul Henry, the anchor of Breakfast NZ asked, "Is Australia a 3rd world country?"
14 million Australians have registered to vote (compulsory in Australia) for the 1198 candidates from 25 parties to the 150 Parliament seats.
Australians must have thought the May UK elections which produced a Hung Parliament was a fanciful thing to emulate down under too!?
In the last Parliament, Labour had 83 seats whilst the Liberal Coalition, 59.
The Elections were called by Julia Gillard, the current Prime Minister from Labour, who had earlier outsted Kevin Rudd as the PM through an internal party struggle.
Australian Governor General, Ms Quentin Bryce who has a very boring constitutional and ceremonial role, was recently becoming a little bit high profile in the "official sacking" of Kevin Rudd and the swelling-in of Julia Gillard. The lastest high profile news on her is that she is seeking legal advice on her role in the formation of the coming Government as her daughter is married to a winning Labour candidate in Victoria. Life must be a little bit exciting in the comfort of her Admiralty House in Sydney.
In the meantime, the Australian sun continues to rise and the miners are busy mining away!

p/s as at 26th August, it all boils down to Tony,Tony, Rob, Bob & Julia.