Warning over Greens’ minority dysfunction ahead of hung parliament

The Federal Election race has tightened, with business leaders pleading with voters to avoid the “worst outcome”.

Flight Centre boss Graham Turner has led a chorus of business leaders warning that a Labor Greens minority government would be the “worst outcome” at next month’s election.

Polling suggests that neither major party was likely to win outright, leaving the Greens as a potential kingmaker unless voters swing behind either the Liberal or Labor parties.

Newspoll has the Liberals edging out Labor 51-49 on a two-party preferred basis, while a rival YouGov poll has the Labor Party on 75 seats, one short of a majority.

The Greens are likely to pick up two seats, while a string of independents including Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie and South Australian MP Rebekha Sharkie were also expected to hold key votes in a deadlock.

Some analysts suggest that Labor was likely to lose up between five and 10 seats, while the Coalition needs 19 seats to win government in its own right.

Flight Centre CEO Graham Turner. Pics Tara Croser

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the campaign trail on Monday. Picture: Jason Edwards.

Mr Turner, who runs the $3 billion Flight Centre global travel group, said businesses wanted certainty.

“The general consensus is that it’s looking like a Labor minority government with the Greens. That would be the worst outcome,” he said.

“With the Teals it’s a bit hard to say how they would go.

“With the Greens it’s not the sustainability or environmental issues that are the problem, it’s some of their radical ideas.”

The threat of a minority government has raised the spectre of the dysfunction when Labor leader Julia Gillard signed a deal with Greens leader Bob Brown in 2010.

Ms Gillard’s reign, which was only formed after further negotiation with independents Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor, was the first minority government since World War II.

Sources close to some of Australia’s most influential people have raised serious concerns about the Greens holding the balance of power.

Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus has warned voters angry at the cost-of-living against a protest vote at the May 3 election.

GWS Giants chairman Tony Shepherd, who has been a tireless advocate for Sydney’s west, said a minority Labor Government would slow the nation’s economy.

“It would be bad for business because the extreme left will have far too much power,” he said. “By definition they are bad for business.”

Australian Industry Group chief Innes Willox said: “The best outcome would undoubtedly be a clear election result rather than pitching the country into a protracted period of government by negotiation.”

Bill Lang, executive director at Small Business Australia, said there were urgent long-term decisions that “needed to be made to secure a reliable and cheap energy future, which would be derailed if there was a minority government where the Greens and Teals are wagging the dog.”

Greens leader Adam Bandt.

ACTU Secretary Sally McManus.

Victorian Chamber chief executive Paul Guerra said a minority government “risks instability, delays and compromises” which could hold back the business world.

Greens leader Adam Bandt said this week that Labor was already adopting many of its policies, including a supermarket crackdown and cheaper GP visits.

Mr Bandt said “with a minority government looming” the Greens would be able to introduce rent caps, get dental and mental health into Medicare and stop new coal and gas.

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Originally published as Warning over Greens’ minority dysfunction ahead of hung parliament