Mr Morris was the choice of the three independents when they met the Opposition leader, Tony Abbott yesterday.

Mr Abbott asked Mr Morris if he would accept the role and he agreed.

''I'll be a sounding board,'' Mr Morris told the Herald.

''They just want somebody from the Liberal side of politics."

The independents asked Julia Gillard if Labor strategist Bruce Hawker would do the same and she agreed. Mr Hawker, who is a cousin of one of the independents, Tony Windsor, has accepted the role and already floated the idea of non-elected luminaries being included in cabinet.

"I think there's a lot to be said for bringing people from outside the Government into the Cabinet or into the Ministry," Mr Hawker said.

He said not all the best brains were in parliament.

Parliamentary reform is one of the seven demands the independents have put to both leaders and it included the involvement of Mr Hawker and Mr Morris.

''We seek a commitment to explore all options from both sides in regard to "consensus options" for the next three years, and a willingness to at least explore all options to reach a majority greater than 76 for the next three years,'' the independents requested.

''Included in these considerations is advice on how relationships between the House of Representatives and the Senate can be improved, and a proposed timetable for this to happen.''

Phillip Coorey is the chief political correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald.