Cathy McGowan sat down with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Friday, looked him in the eye, and came to an arrangement which could help end the deadlock in the federal election.
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The result was an agreement – and Ms McGowan has insisted not “a deal” – to support a Coalition government on matters of supply and confidence.
After the Indi MP had beaten two Coalition candidates to retain the seat, her support was vital in ensuring the public did not have to go back to the polls.
She said Mr Turnbull understood she did not want to go into the meeting with a list of demands for Indi, nor would she support him unconditionally.
“That’s why I was actually keen to meet with him because we’ve been talking on the phone, but I wanted to eyeball him,” Ms McGowan said.
“The Prime Minister and I had a really productive talk about how we work together … I’m not a defacto Liberal, I’m standing up for the electorate.”
The decision was made to help create a “stable and settled government” so that voters could get on with their lives.
Ms McGowan said she would maintain her independence when choosing how to vote on individual bills in Parliament.
“I asked for goodwill, I asked for regular being in touch with each other, I asked for good governance and stability,” she said.
“My discussion was with the Prime Minister, if circumstances change, that would probably make a difference.
“Our discussion was two people, two professionals, working together.”
The pair did not discuss individual policies but Mr Turnbull asked questions about the campaign run by the volunteer army.
“There was a choice that the people of Indi had – they had government people running and clearly the people of Indi chose me as an independent,” Ms McGowan said.
“Unlike some people, I think having a competitive democracy and having the numbers tight in Parliament will deliver us a really good result.
“People will have to really work in the house, really work in the Senate.”
Mr Turnbull said he and Ms McGowan always had a good relationship, especially when he was communications minister.
“She’s thoroughly independent, but she recognises the importance of a stable Parliament and she can provide support, consistent with what’s she’s done in the past,” Mr Turnbull said.
