Opinion polls show the opposition Liberal-National coalition led by Tony Abbott well ahead of Labor, which formed a minority government after the last elections in 2010 with the support of independents and the Greens.

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Democrats credit a lot of their success in the last few years to the ability to gain the support of independents in recent elections.

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About 41% of people under the age of 29 identify themselves as independents, according to a Gallup poll last year.

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Last month's poll produced a hung parliament, forcing Ms Gillard to seek the backing of independents and Greens to form a government.

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