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Greens leader Adam Bandt believes Australians will get a minority government after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called an election for 3 May.
“The election is on. Minority government is coming,” he told reporters in a press conference today after .
“And with the major parties offering about as attractive as a dead fish, you can see why.”
The comment appeared to be a reference to Greens criticism of Labor’s salmon farming legislation. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Youngto highlight her party’s opposition to the legislation.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young waved a dead salmon wrapped in plastic during a debate in the Senate on Wednesday. Source: Supplied
When asked whether the Greens would seek ministerial positions if they were part of a minority government, Bandt said: “The answer is no and no. Ministerial position is not our priority.”
“What the Greens want at this election is to keep [Liberal leader] Peter Dutton out and get Labor to act. This is a real chance … to get some real outcomes for people. Like enough of the tinkering around the edges.”
He said the party’s priority is to “deliver real change for people”.
“Last time there was a minority parliament, we got dental into Medicare for kids. That’s meant over three million families around the country have been able to use their Medicare card at the dentist thanks to the Greens,” he said.
“That’s the kind of change we’re pushing for.”
Bandt described the election as a “once in a generation” opportunity.
“Now, it is crystal clear after this week, where the major parties found time to get together to gut our environment and climate laws, but they couldn’t manage to pass laws to wipe student debt or make it free to see the GP, that we can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result,” he said.
“Nothing changes if nothing changes. And with a minority government on the cards this election, this is a once-in-a-generation chance to keep Peter Dutton out and get Labor to act on the housing crisis, the cost-of-living crisis and the climate and environment crisis.”
