Queensland election 2017: Labor may form coalition with Greens

QUEENSLAND Labor could form minority government with the Greens, who want to take tasers off police, ban coal exports and decriminalise drugs.

Greens candidate for South Brisbane Amy MacMahon (centre) at the election ballet draw. Picture: Mark Cranitch

ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk could form minority government with the Greens, who want to take tasers off police, ban coal exports and decriminalise drugs.

The Premier yesterday refused to rule out a coalition with the Queensland Greens who have already announced a policy to introduce four extra public holidays a year.

It comes as the Greens today plan to announce a Robin Hood-style policy to penalise investors who leave their properties vacant. They would be taxed 5 per cent a year to raise money to build affordable housing for low income earners.

TAKE TODAY’S POLL QUESTION

Ms Palaszczuk yesterday dodged questions on whether she would be willing to form a minority government with the Greens or Labor defector Margaret Strelow if necessary to retain power.

“We are not going to be entering into any deals with One Nation,” she said.

“I have made it very clear that I want to see a majority.

“That’s what I’ll be asking Queenslanders (for) between now and the election.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at the Kumbia Race Club on Melbourne Cup Day where she ducked questions on whether she would form government with the Greens if she had to. Picture: Darren England/AAP

Last month Ms Palaszczuk ruled out holding power with support from One Nation or Katter’s Australia Party.

In the 2015 campaign she emphatically ruled out any deals with independents or minor parties, but went on to do just that.

Similarly, Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls has repeatedly refused to rule out a deal with One Nation, only saying he would not form a formal coalition or give them a place in Cabinet.

While she was campaigning at the South Burnett town of Kumbia, where she attended a race day, the Premier was confronted by a farmer who accused her of chasing Greens votes.

Beef cattle farmer Jim Hancock confronted Ms Palaszczuk over Labor’s controversial land clearing restrictions.

“What I can’t understand is why the hell we have a bureaucrat telling a farmer what to do,” he said.

“She’s worried about losing Green votes and Green votes don’t want you to cut down trees.

“But Green votes won’t produce the clothes you’re wearing or the food you’re eating.”

Greens candidate Amy MacMahon is contesting one of Labor’s most vulnerable seats, South Brisbane, held by Deputy Premier Jackie Trad. Picture: Mark Cranitch

Ms Palaszczuk also did not rule out a deal with Rockhampton Mayor Margaret Strelow, a former Labor member who was expelled from the party after her shock decision this week to run as an independent against the party’s candidate Barry O’Rourke.

“I want Barry to be the next Member for Rockhampton, I cannot be any clearer,” she said.

Existing Greens policies include using civil penalties for personal use of illegal drugs, instead of criminal convictions and taking tasers off police except for a special squad.

Today Greens McConnel candidate Kirsten Lovejoy will announce that houses and apartments deliberately left vacant should be taxed at 5 per cent, which she says will raise $800 million over five years.

She said it would encourage property developers sitting on stock to sell or rent, while the money raised would go towards building affordable housing.

“The vacancy tax will be targeted at a small number of wealthy investors who deliberately leave properties empty, with a generous list of exemptions to include properties on the rental market, second homes for workers flying into Brisbane, and deceased estates,” she said.

Originally published as Queensland election 2017: Labor may form coalition with Greens