http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/greens-will-supersede-alp-bob-brown/story-fn59niix-1226085967764

With the ALP relying on the greens preferences and support to cling to power, Bob Brown is claiming responsibility for all Juliar's new policies, and my understanding is ramping up the cost of the new carbon tax to the point where it will ruin Labor's chances in 2013.

Already the Greens have 1/2 Labor's first preference votes, and look to over take in 5 to 10 years.

Life is better when the grass is greener.
Tony Abbott would be delirious if the Greens in the Senate
would support the Opposition policies. Unfortunately, they're
not economical or practical for the long term and few
believe in them.

The Greens really fouled up the last time when the ETS reached
the Senate. If they continue to show tantrums this time around
their future is guaranteed for the dust bin.

I feel quite confident that in due course
the carbon tax which will evolve into the ETS will
pass in the Senate.
No matter what the Opposition expounds on the
topic has gone beyond the patience of most voters.

It appears that the Greens have reached the peak
of their achievement and from now on
unless they maintain a sensible working relationship with the government, their future will be limited.

Interesting that their opponents are always saying that the Greens have peaked, when they're only just starting to get going. A few more years and a few more elections will see more Greens in Parliament and greater maturity in those that are there now.

I read an interesting article in today's 'Age' that speculated whether we've actually seen the last majority Labor government, given the trends in the ALP first preference vote in Federal elections this century. The author raised the likely need for the ALP to formalise their coalition with the Greens in order to be electable, in much the same way that the Liberal and National parties traditionally have.

One big problem I can see for Labor in such a scenario is that it's by no means a sure thing that Greens grassroots members would support a formal coalition with the ALP, and unlike the other parties the Greens are bound by a consensus approach to such matters. An overwhelming majority of ordinary Greens members would have to approve such a major move, for which there would need to be extensive work at branch level to have a hope of succeeding.

And I daresay that there many in the ALP who would be even more intransigent.

Shadow minister you are always good for a laugh, and if I was still in the work force I would print your posts and drop them on every lunchroom table.
To prove much of what is being said is rubbish.
On forming your party the man we now know as Sir Robert Menzies, started a long partnership with another party.
Country party, those who remember history know at times the leader of that party seemed in control.
Black Jack John McQuewan for a start.
Far from those two,no statesman ,no leader, your little fella,a reference to his vision and worth not size,BARGAINED and lost.
He offered Greens every one, the world, to support him.
Greens are inthe house they have made a choice,that choice is your problem, is it not?
I am anti green,have handed out their HTV for the last time think/know they are a danger to Australian Politics.
Bob Brown turned me that way,he alone screamed at me.
You however should rejoice, if you understand politics you would.
Gillard with the greens in tow, because of Bob Brown fracturing of the left of center vote.

Will see Conservative government for generations.
Unless Labor gets its wanted out comes and calls a double election .
Australia will suffer a vote for the greens is a vote for conservatives.

The greens have evolved from a environmentalist movement to absorbing those from the hard left. This deeply socialist bent appeals to the union movement and is sucking the support from Labor's left.

With the rapid increase in personal wealth across the classes, and with unemployment below 5% the need for big government to create jobs has passed. Most of politics has moved towards the conservative ability to protect wealth, and labor's attempt to gain the centre ground has left its socialist members stranded. Labor is forced to continue this tactic, as they still get green preferences.

This has left an ample recruiting ground for the new greens, who not actually being responsible for policy are free to espouse principles free of compromise. Which makes the greens very uncomfortable partners especially when they hold the balance of power.

This lack of compromise, however, will prevent the greens in their present format from gaining government. IF they are to make serious in roads to Labor they will need to go for their union base, which will require a flexibility they have so far not shown.

Well congratulations is in order for the Honorable Bob Brown. Finally commonsense stands between the pillars greed/corruption. While the rest of the world burns the candle at both ends like there's No tomorrow, The greens along with supporters of a great and sustainable future, hold the very key that keeps Australia together for the long haul, and not for the sort term, that will prove disastrous at the currant rate that human-beings that are eating this planet alive.

Think of the people after you, if you can.......and the earth that needs a place for the youth/plants/animals to have the same chance and advantage that you had.

http://bob-brown.greensmps.org.au/

Its the old that don't give a toss, and why should they, when they know their time is almost up.

The 60% of people that reject the carbon tax are over 55 years.

And all they want is whats best for their own greedy selves. Well No surprise on that one, is there.

http://greens.org.au/content/bob-brown-visits-darling-downs

LEAP