Tony Abbott's Senate nightmare: independents and minor parties
If the government wants to successfully pass legislation it needs six of the eight crossbenchers to be onside if neither the Greens or the Labor Party want to cooperate.
The Coalition has 33 Senate seats, the ALP has 26 and the Greens remain on nine.
Leader of the government in the Senate, Eric Abetz, said the Coalition would be negotiating with all parties and all crossbenchers on key legislation.
"Everybody has been elected fair and square under the rules and they are entitled to be treated with the same respect and consideration as every other member of parliament," Senator Abetz said.
Mr Abbott's office would not provide fresh comment on the results yesterday, simply referring News Corp to an interview last week where the Prime Minister mentioned negotiations with all parliamentarians.
