Scott Morrison has backing to resist push for an early election

Scott Morrison’s control over parliament will become a day-to-day proposition if the Liberals’ loss of Wentworth is confirmed.

Dr Kerryn Phelps, independent voice for Wentworth out and about in Rose Bay, with Independent Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie. Picture: Jenny Evans

Scott Morrison’s control over parliament will become a day-to-day proposition if the Liberals’ loss of Wentworth is confirmed, ­although it is likely the Prime Minister will have the numbers to block a vote of no confidence in his government.

Six key crossbenchers yesterday indicated they were unlikely to back any push for an early election, but it was less clear the government could prevent Peter Dutton being referred to the High Court.

The Prime Minister yesterday sent a rallying call to all Coalition MPs after the Wentworth by-election result, declaring they must “cop it on the chin” but also urging them not let it “dent” their commitment or give up, as former Liberal founder Robert Menzies said, “until the bell rings”.

The Prime Minister texted his colleagues in the morning saying they could always expect him to “show up on the hard days and the good days to take us forward”.

“The result in Wentworth is a tough one but not unexpected. We knew it was coming,” he said.

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But he emphasised that, “we’re not in denial about the result”.

Kerryn Phelps, who was ahead in counting in Wentworth last night, said she believed governments should go full term unless there were exceptional circumstances and pledged to work responsibly with the government on its agenda.

Centre Alliance’s Rebekha Sharkie said she would not hold Mr Morrison “to ransom”, but wanted to sit down with the Prime Minister for “a conversation about what the government should look like”.

North Queensland MP Bob Katter said he would seize on the hung parliament to push his agenda, which included more dams, easier commercial fishing and market gardens for indigenous communities afflicted by diabetes.

“I haven’t been able to put these ideas in front of ministers because the Nationals ministers hate me so much,” Mr Katter said.

“I like being a bull in the china shop, and I’m really going to be burned up if market gardens are not put into my cousin-brothers’ community areas.”

Independent Andrew Wilkie would not guarantee confidence in the government, while Greens MP Adam Bandt was openly hostile, declaring “we need to go to an election”.

Victorian independent Cathy McGowan refused to comment until the result in Wentworth was confirmed, but she has previously guaranteed support for the ­government on confidence, ­warning against “disruption” of the parliament.

Nationals MP Kevin Hogan, who moved to the crossbench after the Liberal leadership drama, has guaranteed confidence but could vote against government bills.

If the government were reduced to 75 votes with the loss of Wentworth, it would need support from at least one crossbencher to fend off a no-confidence vote.

The last motion to refer Mr Dutton to the High Court, to examine whether he was eligible to sit in parliament under section 44 of the Constitution, was defeated 69 votes to 68.

Mr Katter, who is often absent from parliament and missed the vote, yesterday said he would not support such a “sneaky” tactic.

The Prime Minister played down the prospect of parliamentary chaos under a minority government, after warning before the by-election that minority government would put at risk the economy and the national interest.

Mr Morrison said he had been in “pretty regular contact” with Ms McGowan, and met Mr Katter last week. He said minority government was “obviously more challenging” but noted Labor ruled for three years with only 72 seats, compared with his likely 75.

Dr Phelps said she wanted to work with the government on its agenda, and would look at every bill on its merits.