OPPOSITION leader, Tony Abbott says the Greens will be in the driving seat of any new Labor Government, following the announcement a deal had been reached between Labor and the Greens to help form a stable Government.
Mr Abbott said the deal with the Greens would inevitably mean a carbon and mining tax.
He said there were now two coalitions in Australian politics – the existing Liberal-National coalition, and now a Labor-Greens coalition.
He said only one would be good for regional Australia and he was confident the existing Coalition arrangements could always get a better deal for the bush over Labor and the Greens.
Mr Abbott said he was disappointed the Greens did not hold any serious discussions with the Coalition, and said he would pursue further negotiations with the three country independents throughout the rest of the week.
Listen to Tony Abbott's response here
Earlier today Greens leader Bob Brown announced the Greens and the Labor Party had signed an agreement to ensure stability for Labor in Government.
The deal will give Labor an edge in forming Government because of the stability offered by this deal, particularly in the Senate, he said.
Mr Brown said the Greens would ensure supply and oppose any motion of no confidence in the Government from other parties or MPs.
"Labor will work with the Greens to deliver improved transparency and integrity to Parliament and pursue policies that promote the national interest and address climate change," Mr Brown said.
"As part of the agreement there will be regular meetings between the Prime Minister and Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown and newly-elected Lower House MP Adam Bandt.
"There will be a Climate Change Committee resourced as a Cabinet Committee, an investment in dental health care in the next budget and completion of a $20 million study into High Speed Rail by July 2011," Mr Brown said.
The agreement includes a wide range of measures, including:
• A Climate Change Committee;
• A full parliamentary debate on Afghanistan;
• A commitment to work with the Greens on dental health care investment;
• Completion of a $20 million High Speed Rail study by July 2011;
• Legislating for truth in political advertising;
• A Leaders’ Debate Commission;
• Establishing a Parliamentary Integrity Commissioner;
• Establishing a Parliamentary Budget Office;
• Restrictions on political donations;
• A move toward full three year governments;
• Specially allocated time for debate and voting on private members bills and a fixed and fair allocation of questions for independent and minor party members in Question Time;
• Referenda for constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians and Local Government;
• A commitment for reform to provide above the line voting in the Senate;
• Better processes for the release of documents in the public interest in both Houses of Parliament; and
• Access to relevant departments, including Treasury and Finance and Deregulation for Greens election policies.
Email a friend