SYDNEY (Reuters) – Tighter regulation of Australia’s $10 billion slot-machine industry could become an issue in determining the nation’s next government, after a pivotal independent lawmaker called on Friday for gambling reform.

Andrew Wilkie is one of five cross-bench lawmakers who will determine which of Australia’s two major political parties form a minority government after an inconclusive weekend election.

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australian shares and the local currency are set for a sell-off on Monday after a weekend election appeared to have realized investors’ worst fears — a minority government and big swing of votes toward Green MPs.

Following are likely impacts on the Australian dollar, the local share market and domestic interest rates on Monday:

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia’s two major parties began wooing independent lawmakers on Sunday after an inconclusive election left the nation facing its first hung parliament since 1940, the worst possible outcome for markets.

The Australian dollar and shares are likely to face a sell-off when trading resumes on Monday, analysts said, with the vote count threatening to drag on for days and both the ruling Labor party and opposition seemingly unable to win a majority.

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia’s two major parties began wooing independent lawmakers Sunday after an inconclusive election left the nation facing its first hung parliament since 1940, the worst possible outcome for markets.

The Australian dollar and shares are likely to face a sell-off when trading resumes Monday, analysts said, with the vote count threatening to drag on for days and both the ruling Labour party and opposition seemingly unable to win a majority.

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia’s two major parties began wooing independent lawmakers on Sunday after an inconclusive election left the nation facing its first hung parliament since 1940, the worst possible outcome for markets.

The Australian dollar and shares are likely to face a sell-off when trading resumes on Monday, analysts said, with the vote count threatening to drag on for days and both the ruling Labour party and opposition seemingly unable to win a majority.

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia could have its first minority government in 70 years, a worst-case scenario for investors, with an election-eve poll showing the ruling Labor party drawing level with the conservative opposition.

The vote looks so close, the result may have nothing to do with policy but simply come down to which leader, Prime Minister Julia Gillard or the opposition’s Tony Abbott, voters like best.

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia could have its first minority government in 70 years and a worst-case scenario for investors, with an election-eve poll showing the ruling Labor draw level with the conservative opposition.

Assistant Treasurer Chris Bowen, a senior party strategist, said the election was so tight that a hung parliament was just a likely as either a re-elected Labor government or a victory for the conservative coalition.

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is heading for a shock defeat at elections on August 21, a new opinion poll showed Saturday, as government infighting and damaging cabinet leaks threatened to derail her campaign.

Defeat for Gillard, though still considered unlikely by most other opinion polls and political experts, would sink her plans to slap a 30 percent tax on iron ore and coal mines, to introduce carbon-trading and to build a $33 billion-plus broadband network.

SYDNEY, June 30 (Reuters) – Hopes for a truce in
Australia’s row over a planned new mining-profits tax could be
realised soon, with new Prime Minister Julia Gillard keen to
defuse the issue ahead of elections to be held within the next
few months.

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