The Victorian Greens have announced what they plan to put on the table in the event that Labor is not able to form a majority government in the next term of parliament.
Current analysis indicates the Greens could have five lower house seats in the next parliament: hold Melbourne, Brunswick and Prahran, and gain Northcote and Richmond.
The Greens are also strong contenders in Albert Park and Pascoe Vale where the incumbents, Martin Foley and Lizzie Blandthorn, are not recontesting.
The Greens are confident of holding Samantha Ratnam’s MLC position in the Northern Metropolitan contest, as well as picking up a Southern Metropolitan position where Katherine Copsey will benefit from the progressive party preferences voting block.
In the event of a reduced majority Labor government or a minority parliament, the Greens’ priorities for the next parliament would be:
- Banning onshore and offshore gas exploration and production
- Capping rent increases in line with wages and building more public & affordable housing
- Passing the Greens’ Strengthening Integrity Bill
- Raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14
- Ending native forest logging across the state in 2023
As stated by Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam MLC:
“We’re heading into what could be an historic state election.
“It’s clear more and more Victorians are moving away from the major parties and indicating they intend to vote Greens this year.
“This is because they’re fed up with the two-party system and want a strong, progressive cross-bench that can hold the next Government to account.
“If Labor isn’t able to form a majority government in the next term of parliament, they will more than likely need to work with the Greens to ensure progressive reform.
“We’re very open to working with a Labor Government next year and will be making sure climate action and housing affordability are a key part of those negotiations, as well as integrity and First Nations justice.”
