"Not about parties any more"

"Not about parties any more" Earlier today, Mr Oakeshott said the trio wanted to reach an agreement that guaranteed stable government, but added: "If we can't get that, let's go back to the ballot box."Mr Oakeshott laughed off suggestions he had been offered a ministry in return for supporting a minority Labor government.

"Only very much jokingly, nothing formal," he told ABC Radio.Mr Oakeshott said the hung parliament dilemma was "not about political parties any more".

"If this stays about political parties, about an either-or choice about the red tribe or the blue tribe, it won't work and we will have to go back to the ballot box," he said.

Now was not the time for "personal wants or wishes"."This is not a time for offers."Mr Oakeshott said he had spoken to Ms Gillard or Mr Abbott.

The independent MPS were trying to finalise a timetable for negotiations by the end of today, he said.But it could be two weeks before anything was clear.