SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard pledged on Tuesday to work towards a minority government and rejected a quick return to the polls after national elections failed to produce a clear winner.

Gillard, in her first major speech since the August 21 election weekend, outlined a "new political landscape" shaped by the first hung parliament since 1940.

"Some say this situation is all too difficult and we should just return to the polls. I disagree," she said. "The Australian people have voted for this parliament and our job is to make it work."

As final vote-counting continues, neither Gillard`s left-leaning Labor party nor the conservative coalition led by Tony Abbott are able to reach the 76 seats needed for a majority, with both relying on the support of six cross-benchers.

"Australia`s new political landscape requires a government that can find new ways to develop policy and establish consensus around the major issues that come before the next parliament," Gillard said.

"Because if the new government doesn`t find new ways to establish consensus and parliamentary support then we will have gridlock and we will quickly look more like Washington than Westminster."

BDST: 0910 HRS, August 31, 2010