Election 2022: Senate threat to energy projects

Greens leader Adam Bandt says he will demand a Labor government ban all new coal and gas projects, putting a question mark on Labor’s ability to pass legislation through the Senate.

With the major parties primary vote crashing across Australia, the Greens are poised to pick up three senators. Picture: Adam Head

Greens leader Adam Bandt says he will demand a Labor government ban all new coal and gas projects, putting a question mark on Anthony Albanese’s ability to pass legislation through the Senate, given his pledge to support fossil fuel exports.

With Labor needing the Greens’ support – who appear likely to hold 12 Senate seat – Mr Bandt indicated his support would be predicated on putting a moratorium on new fossil fuel projects across the nation.

He said he expected Labor’s support for opening new coal and gas mines will be “something we need to talk about” in this parliament, adding it could prove to be a sticking point ­between the parties.

“But on the question of climate, the big issue is coal and gas. And we were clear about that during the course of the election, and we said to tackle the climate crisis we can’t open up more coal and gas mines now,” Mr Bandt told Radio National on Monday.

“And Labor went to the election saying they backed the Liberals in opening more coal and gas mines. That is going to be something we were going to need to talk about … We can’t put the fire out while we’re pouring petrol on it.”

Labor has previously supported public funding for the Beetaloo Basin gas field project in the Northern Territory, and when asked during the election campaign, Mr Albanese said he would welcome new coal mines if they passed the environment impact test.

With the major parties primary vote crashing across Australia, the Adam Bandt-led “Greenslide” has left the party poised to pick up three senators and strengthen its bargaining position in the upper house.

Requiring 39 votes in the upper house to pass legislation, Labor – appearing to have 25 senators – will need the Greens’ bloc of votes and two others to ensure the passage of Labor’s legislative agenda.

The Greens’ unexpected performance has the party set to win a Senate seat in each state, dumping Liberal senator Amanda Stoker in Queensland and ­independent Rex Patrick in South Australia. The Coalition will hold 30 seats if the current situation remains unchanged.

Riding high behind the Greens’ shock victories in the Brisbane seats of the Labor-held Griffith and Liberal-held Ryan, Mr Bandt asserted the party could end up with six seats in the lower house if voting in Macnamara (Melbourne) and Richmond (NSW) broke their way.

Mr Bandt said on Sunday that his party would use the balance of power to push for greater commitment on climate change.

“This result is a mandate for action on climate and inequality,” he said.

“We put an alternative to people and people liked what they saw. A record number of people voted Greens for the first time at this election.”

Mr Albanese has reiterated he will not budge from his party’s 43 per cent midterm emissions reduction target. But in order to limit global warming to 1.5C, the Greens have called for a 75 per cent cut by 2030 – well exceeding Labor’s pledge.

In addition to support from the Greens, Labor will need ­either Jacqui Lambie and her Senate candidate Tammy Tyrrell (likely to hold onto Tasmania’s sixth spot) or two votes from elsewhere to form an absolute majority.