SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Greens open to coalition with Labor

Australian Greens leader Richard Di Natale says his party would be open to accepting cabinet posts in a future minority Labor government.

Federal Greens leader Richard Di Natale.
The Greens have flagged they would be open to serving in a future coalition government with Labor. (AAP)

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

The Greens have flagged they would be open to serving in a future coalition government with Labor.

Leader Richard Di Natale, a qualified medical practitioner, says he would relish the opportunity to be health minister.

"We should be open to cabinet posts, we have done that already in Tasmania and the ACT," he told Fairfax Media on Friday.

Senator Di Natale believes it would be a mistake to enter into a formal, permanent alliance like the coalition between the Liberals and Nationals.

But the minor party could enter into an arrangement with Labor to support them in government in the same way it did after the 2010 election.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"You offer confidence and ask for key policy outcomes and you do that election-by-election," he said.

A spokesman for Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said if Senator Di Natale wanted to serve in a Labor government, he should join the ALP.

Senator Di Natale held his first formal meeting with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Thursday.

"I think we are poles apart on many issues but there is some common ground that we will be able to work with the government on," he said.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world