Teal MPs invited to The Lodge for first time by Anthony Albanese as minority government looms
Teal and independent MPs received last-minute invitations for 6.30pm drinks at the Prime Minister’s residence on Monday and Tuesday, marking the first time that the teals have travelled to the Lodge since the 2022 election | WATCH
Anthony Albanese – who faces the prospect of having to broker a deal with crossbenchers to form minority government after the election – has hosted teal and independent MPs at The Lodge in what could be the final parliamentary sitting week before Australians head to the polls.
The Australian can reveal teal and independent MPs received last-minute invitations for 6.30pm drinks at the Prime Minister’s residence on Monday and Tuesday, marking the first time that the Teals have travelled to The Lodge since the 2022 election.
It is understood the Independent MPs were surprised by the invitations on what could be their second last night in Canberra if Mr Albanese calls a pre-May election. Teal and Independent MPs who attended the Lodge drinks included Kate Cheney, Zoe Daniel, Allegra Spender, Zali Steggall, Kylea Tink, Sophie Scamps, Monique Ryan, Dai Lei, Helen Haines and Rebekha Sharkie.
Calare MP Andrew Gee – who left the Nationals over his support for the failed voice referendum – also attended.
With Mr Albanese desperate to avoid having to form a minority government with Adam Bandt’s Greens, the drinks event will likely be seized upon by Peter Dutton as evidence that the Labor leader is nurturing support from teals and Independents ahead of what is expected to be a tight election. Mr Albanese’s close ally and Leader of the House Tony Burke arrived at the Lodge for the drinks event in a red Tesla.
After the 2022 election, Teal and independent MPs were irate with Mr Albanese after he slashed their staff allocation. Despite their anger, Mr Albanese has never reversed the decision. The Australian understands some of the Independent MPs accepted the Prime Minister’s invitation out of respect for the Prime Minister’s office, and are understood to be open to any similar offer made by Mr Dutton.
Ms Daniel, whose Melbourne seat of Goldstein is being targeted by the Liberals, said “genuine good faith engagement with both sides is really important … it’s been important for the last three years, it will continue to be important”.
Ms Steggall said the crossbench was “fairly values-aligned, in terms of process in wanting integrity and accountability”.
“Where we land in terms of the merits of an issue will differ depending on priorities and feedback from our electorates. But that’s a sign of a healthy democracy, where you can have differences of where you land on an issue in terms of merit,” the Warringah MP said.
Ms Ryan, who is also being targeted by the Liberals in Josh Frydenberg’s former seat of Kooyong, said she was there to discuss “future plans” with Mr Albanese.
Ms Lei, who is being heavily targeted by Labor in her Sydney seat of Fowler, said “I was the last to be invited”.
Ms Sharkie told The Australian she attended the Lodge after “an invitation from the Prime Minister”. “You don’t say no to the Prime Minister (when invited)”.
Ms Haines said “I’m keen to know what he’s got on the menu”.
Polling across the board is indicating a tight election, with Mr Albanese potentially having to cobble together crossbench support in the event he cannot form majority government.
When asked if she was running late after she arrived behind many of her crossbenchers, Ms Spender said: “Someone has to speak in the house”.
Former Nationals MP Andrew Gee, who moved to the crossbench over his support for the Indigenous voice to parliament, was also seen entering the Lodge.
Teal MP Kylie Tink, whose seat of North Sydney being absorbed in a redrawing of electorates, did not respond to questions on if the Lodge gathering was in her honour. She said the crossbench had been focused on “reaching consensus” and working “from a place of respect”.
“I think us being here tonight actually just shows we have respect for the process,” she said.
Mr Albanese said in his National Press Club address last month to open the election year that he will “not enter into any coalitions” with the Greens or crossbenchers should he fail to win a majority at the next election, which is due by May 17.
But Mr Albanese has not ruled out any less formal deals post-election to ensure a Labor minority government can lock down confidence and supply in the House of Representatives.
“I’m someone who though has always given respect across the board. My door is open to Liberals, Nationals, to a range of people. If Crossbenchers want to see me, I think that’s important as well,” he said in January.
“But as far as agreements are done, the only coalition sits on the other side.”
Peter Dutton has openly said he is willing to work with independents in a hung parliament, and has only ruled out negotiating with the Greens.
“We want to form a majority government. If we’re not able to form a majority government, then you’re in a position where you have to negotiate with the independents, and that’s just being honest with the Australian public,” the Opposition Leader said last month.
Labor will lose its majority in parliament if it loses just three seats at the upcoming election.
The Coalition will need to win 18 seats to win government and overcome its losses to the ALP, the Teal independents, and the Greens at the 2022 federal poll.
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