[4] He was suspected of links with the Democratic Labor Party,[5] and had declared that "the friends of the Communists intend to try and silence me".
[6] The Executive's actions prompted ALP leader Gough Whitlam, who had supported Harradine, to resign and seek a renewed mandate from the caucus.
Then, after the March 1996 election and the resignation from the Labor Party by the disgraced Colston, Harradine's and Colston's votes were sufficient to pass Coalition legislation, notably the Native Title Amendment Act 1998 (also known as the "Wik ten-point plan") and the partial privatisation of Telstra.
[10] He secured $350 million in communications and environmental funding for Tasmania in return for backing the Telstra legislation.
[13] He secured a ministerial veto on importation of the abortifacient RU486, and a prohibition on Australian overseas aid financing family planning that included abortion advice.
[13] Prime Minister Tony Abbott offered Harradine's family a state funeral, which was accepted.