Bandt says Labor-Greens power share would bring ‘golden era’ and confirms goal is to stop Dutton
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Exclusive: Greens leader also says two parties have a chance to stop a US-style shift to the political right in Australia. Adam Bandt says a Greens-Labor power-sharing parliament could see a “golden era of progressive reform” that banishes conservatives to the political wilderness, as he confirms that stopping Peter Dutton becoming prime minister is now his party’s main election focus.
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In an exclusive interview with Guardian Australia, Bandt said the Greens and Labor had a chance to prevent a US-style shift to the political right in Australia by implementing progressive policies that “make people’s lives better” – like adding dental to Medicare.
The Greens leader claimed Labor wouldn’t act “unless they were pushed”, meaning it could only occur in a hung parliament with the Greens holding the balance of power. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email. “There’s a real opportunity in the next parliament, with all of the commentators predicting a minority government, to have a golden era of progressive reform,” he said.
“A minority parliament can keep Peter Dutton out and get those progressive reforms that I think will set the country up for generations.”. Bandt’s laser-focus on Dutton is the latest sign of a strategic shift from the Greens, which spent much of 2024 locked in bitter fights with Labor on housing and recognition of Palestine.
