AUSTRALIA LOOKS FORWARD TO A NEW GOVERNMENT

After more than two weeks of waiting, Australians are likely to know who their next government will be today.

Independent MPs Rob Oakeshott, Tony Windsor and Bob Katter are finalising their negotiations with both sides of politics and are expected to announce today if they will back Labor or the Coalition.

Last night on ABC 1's Q & A program, Mr Katter said he was still waiting on some answers from the party leaders, but said it would not stop him making a decision today.

Yesterday the independents secured bipartisan support for parliamentary reforms including an independent speaker, time limits on questions and answers and an”"acknowledgment of country” at the start of every parliamentary sitting day.

Mr Oakeshott wanted the parliamentary reform deal struck before he would announce his position on which party should form government, and Mr Windsor has indicated the agreement brings that next step closer.

Shortly after the men made the reform announcement, West Australian Nationals M-P Tony Crook confirmed he would side with the Coalition in response to demands that he publicly declare who he will back to form government.

In a released statement, Mr Crook said he would support the Coalition in matters of supply, but will sit on the cross benches.

Last week Labor secured the vote of both Melbourne Greens MP Adam Bandt and Tasmanian independent Andrew Wilkie.

If the three independents back the Coalition, Tony Abbott would have the minimum 76 votes he would need in parliament.

If they support Labor, Julia Gillard would have 77 votes.

The three men have said they will try to work together to avoid a 75-75 stalemate.