Greens Party reveals key policies ahead of Victorian election

Dan Andrews has repeatedly ruled out making deals with the Greens but the minor party says it stands ready to work with a Labor minority.

Raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 will be one of the key demands sought by the Greens if they are needed to help support a minority Labor government.

With the polls suggesting a tightening race to the election, which could see Labor fail to retain enough seats to hold on to a majority government, the Victorian Greens have unveiled their main focus areas.

Daniel Andrews has repeatedly ruled out making any deals with the Greens or independent candidates, but the minor party says it stands ready to work with a Labor minority.

But the progressive party said it will demand support for key policies — based around climate action, housing affordability, integrity and First Nations justice — in return for a vote to pass key legislation through the lower house.

The Greens agenda would cap rent increases in line with wages and the eventual government would be pressured to build more public and affordable housing.

Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam. Picture: David Crosling

Native forest logging would also be ended statewide next year, and all onshore and offshore gas exploration and production would be banned.

The Greens’ Strengthening Integrity Bill - which would hand greater licence to the corruption watchdog to investigate MPs, Ministers, parliamentary secretaries and lobbyists - would also need to be passed through parliament.

And the age of criminal responsibility in Victoria, currently just 10 years old, would be increased to 14.

It comes as new party analysis has officials confidents the Greens could pick up an extra two seats while also retaining current held electorates.

At the 2018 election, the party won three lower house seats (Sam Hibbins in Prahran, Tim Read in Brunswick and Ellen Sandell in Melbourne) and one upper house seat (party leader Samantha Ratnam).

The party said it’s confident it will gain the Labor held seats of Northcote and Richmond, while also being a strong contender to steal Albert Park and Pascoe Vale - where incumbent members, Martin Foley and Lizzie Blandthorn, aren’t recontesting - off Labor.

Premier Daniel Andrews has ruled out making any deals with the Greens. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

The party is also hopeful it will hold leader Samantha Ratnam’s seat in the northern metropolitan contest, and picking up an extra seat in the upper house from the southern metropolitan electorate.

Ms Ratnam said the Greens are “very open” to working with a Labor government next year but will ensure their policies are a key part of those negotiations.

“We’re heading into what could be a historic state election,” she said.

“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 crossbench 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.”