Ludwig, those 12 agreements will benefit all Aussies. Nothing "appalling" about them at all. Mr Brown is a principled man, regardless of your spin. You clearly don't understand how politics works in this country; it's not about demanding 100% capitulation in return for support. Mr brown knows that type of bullying arrogance is counterproductive in both the short and long term.
Your agenda wasn't satisfied. Neither was Mr Brown's. The difference is that you now chuck a hissy fit over it, whereas Mr Brown continues to work for his agenda with knowledge of how the political system works in Australia. Someone like Mr Brown will achieve results for sustainability to a far greater degree than someone like you who seems to chuck tantrums when he doesn't get his own way. God bless Bob Brown; he's an honourable man.

<< … if Gillard manages to form a government, the Greens will have one MP out of 73 in it. That's not exactly a mandate to push Green policies… >>

CJ, in the circumstances the one MP out of 73 is not the important point, it is the significance of the one Green MP supporting Labor in order for them to win government.

This is HUGE! Consequently, the Greens had enormous bargaining power. They could have pushed for or demanded much more.

It was the most amazing opportunity for the Greens to push their policies. In fact, for them to not do so just makes me wonder about how committed they are to some of their supposed policies.

<< … which would undoubtedly be portrayed by a hostile media as 'holding the country to ransom' or some other such negative spin >>

No matter what they do, the hostile elements of the media will put a negative spin on it. The Green shouldn’t be afraid of that.

<< I think they've gained about as many concessions from Labor as they reasonably can at this point, mostly around the general area of better governance. >>

What’s the point of slightly improving the methodology of our government if it is going to continue to take us very strongly in the wrong direction – down the same old oil- and growth-addicted road to ruin?

<< Once the new Senators take up their seats next year, I think we'll see the Greens exercising their influence more significantly >>

Yes. But at this stage, their influence doesn’t seem as though it is going to count for much.

<< While I agree with you in principle, once again your impassioned idealism is out of step with realpolitik. >>

Glad you agree. So which needs to change? The political setup needs to change. We should not fail to act for the fear that our actions might be out of step with political reality!

<< From the tenor of your post, I would deduce that you would have been satisfied with nothing less than the introduction of the complete Green agenda. >>

I’m not sure what you envisage as the complete Green agenda Pericles, but yes I would not have been satisfied unless there had been the all-important basics included in the Greens-Labor agreement, as I outlined in the opening post.

Again, what an extraordinary opportunity the Greens had been given to really take the green cause forward. Well, I suppose the Greens would actually have to be green to do it, instead of proverbially being some baby-chunder greenish brownish yellow colour! Ooow ( :>|

Gillard will say or do anything to retain government, as Banjo says. So she WOULD have agreed with a stronger set of Green demands.

At any rate, Gillard has quite independently of any Green influence expressed concerns about population growth and a sustainable society, and she would surely not be averse to seriously addressing our oil addiction.

So there you have it – the essential basics of a real green philosophy are NOT things that Gillard or Labor would vehemently oppose if it came to the crunch.

Those things should have been enshrined in some detail in this agreement. The failure to do this will probably mean that no significant action will ensue within the next term of government, if Labor governs....and certainly none if the Libnats form government.

The trouble with the weak set of agreements that have been signed off on is that we’ll get a weak amount of action on all of them, to the point where there just won’t be a significant difference, in all probability. To that end, you could argue that Labor has struck a very good deal, because it is not likely to significantly affect their way of doing things….and the Greens have capitulated….or perhaps shown their true Labor colours.

I knew it would be you Ludwig.
Now do not get me wrong I have a reputation for saying it as I find it, and I in fact like you.
I'm aware you do not much like me.
This post however underlines you lack understanding of the politics involved.
At the start of the campaign you,,,look again at your posts,,,, seemed to support Gillard.
Do you understand in this election spin was 90% of the campaign?
Do you know IF Abbott got the three independents HE WITH NO DOUBT, would try to get the very same deal out of the greens, HE HAS TO!
both SIDES must DEAL WITH THE GREENS.
Greens must deal with one or both to get ANY OUT COMES.
So surely Ludwig you understand maths is the reality nothing get past any house without consensus and I see nothing to fear in the agreement as it stands.
Yes I remain grumpy about the greens getting protest vote, and yes I want Labor to lead but we, all of us, are better for the hung Parliament.
My mob got what they deserved but just maybe are about to get a chance to fix it.

Come Banjo ,no fan of Gillard but she is not a lefty, in fact she would be Martian if she needed to to remain in power but she sold the left out long ago.
Now lets not overlook Abbott the rabbott wanted to GIVE ONE BILLION to just one hospital!
Good grief what has he offered to the three amigos.
Julia said, one hour ago Labors policy's are staying.
The deal is no sell out in fact it is a gain for us all well done C J M you old Greene you, talking some rubbish arnt they, must be fear.

Another Independent has given his support to
Labor. Wilkie in Tasmania. And who can blame him,
with Treasury finding a gaping big hole in the
Coalition's costings (7 to 11 billion) and they
offered Wilkie 1 billion for hospitals in Tassie...

Brown's Greens haven't blown it - the Coalition
has!