It is not a position he asked to be in, but the heavy burden of responsibility now upon him is one of the scenarios independents or minor parties face when the voters can’t determine a clear electoral outcome.

Some will argue independents are the cause of the current problem. They would claim if the independents were, in fact, members of party A or B we would now have a functioning government. The reality, however, is that independents and minor parties are part of the political landscape, always will be, and that the democratic process no longer just involves two sides of politics.

To many, Mr Windsor and the other independents simply have to decide to support one side of politics or the other.

There are plenty of impatient people who want that decision made yesterday. There is no shortage of advice on what they should do, and they all now have many new friends who wish to assert some influence.

But let’s get serious. Serious business deserves serious consideration. Mr Windsor is right to ask for patience. It is proper that the Australian Electoral Commission receives the time it needs to determine the final make-up of the next parliament. After all, the outcome will have an influence on the decisions ahead. In recent days we have seen the projected results change. But this issue stretches beyond Labor or Liberal.

Mr Windsor and his fellow independents are not mugs.

The argument that Mr Windsor, a conservative, should follow the wishes of his electorate is understandable but shallow. His decision will be based on what he believes is in the best interests of the nation, not just New England. He is being asked to make a national decision, not a New England decision.

That decision may not involve either of the two major parties. Mr Windsor has reserved his right to walk away from the negotiation table if the best interests of the people are not served.