Australians could be in for a return of a “ruthless” opposition as the likelihood of a minority government grows.
With voters turning against Labor and the coalition, the upcoming federal election is expected to create a hung parliament and turn crossbenchers into kingmakers in an echo of the 2010 poll.
Veteran politicians who were part of Julia Gillard’s minority government, such as Greens leader Adam Bandt, remember it as a productive period that had one of the highest work rates of any Australian parliament, passing more than 500 pieces of legislation.
While he welcomes the prospect of another power-sharing parliament, Mr Bandt has learnt from his experience.
“What took everyone by surprise back then was how willing the Liberals were to be utterly ruthless, to even trade in their own principles to try and tear the parliament down,” he told AAP.
“We need to be better prepared.”
Independent MP Tony Windsor helped Labor form government under Julia Gillard. (Alan Porritt/AAP PHOTOS)
Then-opposition leader Tony Abbott was frequently accused of mindlessly obstructing legislation and former independent New England MP Tony Windsor, who played a pivotal role in the 43rd parliament, says coalition leader Peter Dutton could do the same.
“Abbott played his politics like a game of rugby … to him it was about incremental gain – the objective is to push the other guy out of the way,” he told AAP.
“So when they don’t have a majority, they don’t know how to operate because they’re not interested in the parliament actually doing its work.
“Dutton is very good at this game as well – (Anthony) Albanese is not out of it either – but Dutton is just a replay.”
But the political landscape has changed since 2010.
Former opposition leader Tony Abbott has been accused of treating parliament like a game of rugby. (Alan Porritt/AAP PHOTOS)
The crossbench was almost four times larger and compounding challenges had created the pressure needed for change, Mr Bandt said.
“The climate crisis has gotten worse, the housing and rental crisis has gotten worse – I think there’s greater public appetite for serious reforms,” he said.
“Minority government is the only way to tackle the big challenges, because the major parties are too timid.”
The Greens have prepared their bargaining chips in the event of a hung parliament, with the election to be held no later than May 17.
During the 2010 minority government, the party successfully pushed to include children’s dental services under Medicare, allowing more than three million kids to access free care.
Now, the minor party wants to expand this for all Australians, make it free to see a GP, address the housing crisis and take action on climate change by increasing taxes on corporations.
Australian Greens Leader Adam Bandt wants to make health care more accessible for Australians. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has repeatedly ruled out making a deal with the Greens, insisting that Labor will govern in its own right.
But if Australians vote for a parliament with different voices, then Mr Albanese must respect that, Mr Bandt said.
Tasmanian independent Andrew Wilkie has said he would not enter any formal deals with the federal government after his experience in Ms Gillard’s parliament.
Though the Greens will not work with Mr Dutton, Mr Bandt is committed to entering discussions with an open mind.
“There’s obviously things that we couldn’t support, like opening more coal and gas mines but I think it is possible to find a landing point,” he said.
Mr Dutton’s office was contacted for comment.