Australian vote:

New Parliament meets Sept 28

AUSTRALIA: Australia winning Labour Party Thursday held first caucus meeting in Canberra since the August 21 general election, with its leader announced to recall Parliament September 28.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard used the meeting to reveal her intention to recall Parliament September 28 in the first formal test of the nation’s hung Parliament. At the meeting, Gillard confirmed a “serious review” of the result of the election, following which the Australian Labour Party has formed a minority Government with the help of independents.

Labour MPs were encouraged to raise issues and constructive criticism, with Gillard urging a new spirit of engagement and inclusiveness.

Australian new federal Parliament will be the first in 70 years that a Government will not have an absolute majority in the lower house.

Labour has 72 of the chamber’s 150 seats and needs the support of at least four cross-benchers to have its legislation approved by the lower house.

Canberra, Thursday, Xinhua