MELBOURNE, 17 November 2022: With the Victorian election ten days away, and pre-polling on, the Greens have announced their priorities if Labor is not able to get a majority. Daniel Andrews is striving for a majority government and refusing to have a deal with the Greens.
The Greens feel they could have five lower house seats in the next parliament: hold Melbourne, Brunswick, and Prahran, and gain Northcote and Richmond. Some reports indicate another two in Ascot Wale and Albert Park.
They are confident of holding Samantha Ratnam’s MLC position in the Northern Metropolitan contest, as well as possibly picking up a Southern Metropolitan position where Katherine Copsey could benefit from the progressive party preferences voting block.
A greens media release posted on their site says:
“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
Quotes attributable to Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam MLC:
“We’re heading into what could be a 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.
Source- Based on the Greens media release, 16 November 2022.
