Mr Wilkie said he believed Labor would deliver more stable government One of four key independent lawmakers has pledged support for Prime Minister Julia Gillard, leaving her just two seats short of the majority needed to form the next Australian government.
Andrew Wilkie, who represents Denison in Tasmania, said Ms Gillard’s Labor party was most likely to deliver stable government.
Three other independents have yet to decide who to back.
They have been in talks with both Ms Gillard and her rival, Tony Abbott.
Almost two weeks after the 21 August elections, neither the ruling Labor party or the Liberal-led coalition have managed to form a government.
After Mr Wilkie’s decision Labor can now count on support from 74 of the 76 seats needed, with the coalition narrowly behind on 73.
“I have judged that it is the Australian Labor Party that best meets my criteria that the next government must be stable, must be competent and must be ethical,” Mr Wilkie told journalists.
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