Greens offer ALP alliance to keep Andrews in power

The Victorian Greens have urged Labor to form a coalition with them if the major party falls short in the upcoming state election.

Leader of the Victorian Greens party, Samantha Ratnam.

The Victorian Greens have urged Labor to consider forming a coalition with them if the major party falls short of a majority in the upcoming state election.

The Greens have ruled out any such deal with the Victorian Coalition, citing frustration at its resistance to renewable energy and failure to act on climate change.

The Victorian Greens yesterday unveiled an election platform promising free ambulance cover for all Victorians, alongside promises to pour more cash into school upgrades and to create a Great Forest National Park and end logging in the state’s Central Highlands if elected. But the party, which counts three lower house MPs and five in the upper house and is now seriously targeting Brunswick and Richmond, believes it could be on track to hold the balance of power in both chambers of parliament after next month’s poll. At the party’s campaign launch yesterday, leader Samantha Ratnam said the party was receptive to the idea of entering into a coalition with Victorian Labor.

“If the people of Victoria do vote us into the balance of power, I think it would be wise of Premier Andrews to talk to the Greens,” she said.

The party followed the statement with a tweet that reiterated its keenness to co-operate with Labor if necessary to form a majority government.

“If Andrews doesn’t have a majority after the election, he can work with us or the Liberals. We reckon you want a smart, stable government that improves our schools, transport, clean energy and housing.

“We’re ready to work with Labor to make that happen,” the tweet said.

Premier Daniel Andrews has so far resisted the Greens advances.