After weeks of debates and negotiations behind closed doors, the negotiations are finally over and the three independent MPs that have held the fate of the nation in their hands have finally come forward to announce who will form the minority government and the winner is Julia Gillard.

Bob Katter split from the ranks to announce several hours earlier that he would be supporting the coalition only to be trumped in the endplay with Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor revealing their vote had gone with Labor.

With Gillard now ensconced in the seat of power, the moment of truth will arrive for the LGBT community. Will Green leader Bob Brown stay true to his word to fight for LGBT marraige rights and will Gillard bow to community pressure?

Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie has also put a request for a conscience vote on same-sex marriage on his list of priorities…