Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Gillard looking at changes to Parliament

Updated at 8:33 pm on 31 August 2010

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she is looking at changes to the way Parliament operates.

Ms Gillard set out her case for a Labor government on Tuesday in an address to the National Press Club in Canberra, 10 days after the federal election failed to deliver a decisive result.

Both Labor and the Coalition failed to win the 76 seats necessary to govern alone.

Ms Gillard says there is no need for a new election and wants to find a way to make the hung parliament work, the ABC reports.

Labor has put a detailed discussion paper to independent MPs Rob Oakeshott, Tony Windsor and Bob Katter, who are currently negotiating with Labor and the Coalition over who will form a minority government.

Ms Gillard is reluctant to provide specific details. However, she has put time limits on questions, an independent Speaker and more power for backbenchers and independents to examine ministers and vote on private members' bills.

Ms Gillard has promised that any negotiations with the cross-benchers will not result in extra costs to the budget. Negotiations might take until next week.

Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand