Australia's two major political parties are trying to win over independent lawmakers following an inconclusive election that resulted in the nation facing its first hung parliament since 1940. This has caused uncertainty in the financial markets, with analysts predicting a drop in the Australian dollar and shares when trading resumes on Monday. The vote count is expected to be prolonged, with neither the ruling Labor party nor the opposition able to secure a majority. Economist Craig James of Commsec warned that the uncertainty could have a negative impact on financial markets, with the Australian dollar potentially falling by at least one cent. A hung parliament is the most likely outcome, with two potential scenarios for a minority government: a conservative administration supported by rural independents or a Labor government supported by Green or environmentally conscious MPs. The latter option is concerning for many investors, as Prime Minister Julia Gillard has indicated that she is open to discussing the policies of this diverse group of lawmakers. Gillard stated that she intends to negotiate in good faith to create a successful government agreement, emphasizing that her Labor party is more capable of providing stable government since they received more votes than the conservatives. Conservative leader Tony Abbott also spoke with some crossbench MPs, expressing his intention to be pragmatic while staying within the policy boundaries discussed during the election. Abbott mentioned that he had brief discussions with the three current independents and looks forward to further talks in the coming days. Lawmakers from the Greens party and two independents elected in the recent election have different priorities, such as higher taxes and more open government. The Greens, expected to hold the balance of power in the Senate, are focused on addressing climate change, while Labor and conservatives have differing views on carbon pricing. Greens leader Bob Brown is advocating for immediate action on climate change, proposing a fixed carbon price as an interim measure. Treasurer Wayne Swan is working to ensure stability in the government until a new administration is formed. He stated that Australia's economy is one of the strongest in the world, with a stable financial system and top-notch regulators who have effectively worked with both political parties. UBS chief strategist David Cassidy mentioned that investors would prefer a minority conservative administration over a Labor-Green coalition, as conservative leader Abbott has promised to eliminate Labor's proposed 30 percent mining tax. This tax has negatively impacted mining stocks and the Australian dollar. UBS's Cassidy stated that the market would not react well to uncertainty and predicted moderate selling. He also noted that markets would be uneasy with a Labor government receiving support from the Greens. The leader of the Greens, Brown, had a meeting with Gillard, who removed Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister in June, for initial discussions on Sunday. Brown later mentioned that no agreements were made, no policies were talked about, and no demands were put forward. He expressed readiness to meet Abbott and emphasized their responsible approach in working with larger parties for positive outcomes in a position of balance of power. Analysts predicted that both Labor and the opposition were unlikely to win enough seats to govern independently, leading them to rely on independents and a Green MP. One independent candidate, Wilkie, who aligns with the Greens and center-left, stated that he had spoken to Gillard but did not reveal which major party he would support. Wilkie mentioned that he is open-minded and would support the party that can ensure a stable and ethical government. Another independent, Bob Katter, a maverick from the outback who wears a stetson hat, stated that he would back the political party that he believed would prioritize the needs of rural communities and uphold their freedom to engage in activities like fishing, camping, hunting, and shooting. Independent Tony Windsor expressed willingness to engage in discussions with any party once the election results were finalized, according to local media reports. Some of these independent candidates hold protectionist beliefs and openly voice concerns about Chinese investment in Australian resources.