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CATHY McGowan (MHR, Indi) says putting Indi communities at the heart of decisions she might make on legislation presented to a future parliament will not prevent a government from governing.

Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals’ federal leader Barnaby Joyce on Monday used a visit to Beechworth to challenge the Independent incumbent again to make clear whether she would support the Coalition or Labor to form a government if Saturday’s 2016 election outcome hangs on a knife-edge.

“Once the election’s over and I’ve won the seat – and that’s a hypothetical – and if there’s a hung parliament – and that’s also a hypothetical – I will consider all matters on their merits and do it exactly as it impacts on Indi,” Ms McGowan responded.

“That won’t stop the government from governing.”

But Mr Joyce told the Wangaratta Chronicle he wanted “something to come back” in return for government funding – and used mobile telephone coverage as an example.

He claimed a “Green-Labor-Independent alliance” in the 2010-2013 government had “never put a cent on the table” to fix mobile black spots in country communities.

“We have now delivered funding and remember the (Rural Communications) Minister who is responsible for this – Fiona Nash, a National,” he said.

This post is part of the thread: 2016 Federal Election – an ongoing story on this site. View the thread timeline for more context on this post.



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