Federal election 2025: Bandt has big plans to block Woodside’s LNG production, but Albo says there’s no deal

Adam Bandt has scoffed at Anthony Albanese’s insistence he doesn’t do deals with the Greens — as Woodside’s plan to continue LNG production in WA’s north west looms as a key bargaining chip in the fight for power in Canberra.

Speaking in Perth on Tuesday, the Greens leader said knocking back Woodside’s plan to continue LNG production in WA’s north west will be amongst his party’s list of demands to form a minority government with Anthony Albanese if needed after the May 3 Federal election.

Mr Bandt dismissed Mr Albanese’s tough talk declaring he does not negotiate with the Greens — pointing out his party had successfully negotiated outcomes with Labor before.

With Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek now set to make a decision on the Woodside extension after the election, Mr Bandt is demanding the proposal is knocked back.

“We’re going to put forward some really clear propositions on the table as the starting point for (any minority government) discussions,” Mr Bandt said.

“It will be getting dental and mental health into Medicare, being able to see the GP for free, capping rents and building homes that people can genuinely afford, ending native forest logging and stopping the opening of new coal and gas mines.

“We will say no gas mines — including this decision (on the Woodside extension).

“That’s what we will put on the table . . . Let’s see how the discussions go.”

Polling is showing a close race for The Lodge, with a minority Labor government the most likely result.

Mr Albanese is adamant he won’t do a deal with the Greens to form government.

It means he would need to turn to independents, like the Teal’s Kate Chaney in Curtin who also says she has grave concerns about the Woodside extension to 2070.

Mr Bandt pointed out that during the Albanese Government’s three-year-tenure, the Greens had on several occasions successfully negotiated with Labor and got what they wanted.

“The Prime Minister must have mis-spoken when he says he doesn’t negotiate with the Greens,” Mr Bandt said.

“During the course of this Parliament, the Greens have secured people the right to disconnect after working hours, we’ve got billions of dollars for public and community housing, and improved protections for water and our environment.

“All of that has been widely reported at the time.”

The Greens are targeting Labor federal MP Patrick Gorman this election — running Sophie Greer as their candidate.

Mr Bandt was adamant the Greens can win the seat of Perth, claiming Mr Gorman was a “patsy for the gas corporations”.

“If fewer than one in 10 people shift their vote to the Greens, then Sophie Greer can be the next Member for Perth.”

Mr Gorman hit back, saying the Greens leader only came to WA when there was an election on.

“He spends all of his energy and all of his supporters energy, attacking Perth from the east coast. I’m not surprised that he’s doing name calling,” he said.

“That seems to be his MO. I think that says more about him than it says about anyone else.”

Mr Gorman also faced questions after asking Ms Plibersek — the architect of Labor’s failed anti-WA nature positive regime — to launch his campaign last month, denying on Tuesday he had done so because he felt under pressure from the Greens.

“Tanya Plibersek and I have been good friends for a long time,” he said.

“I back all of my colleagues, and I back Western Australia.

“I want to see laws get faster approvals that are better for business and get better outcomes for our environment. I believe we can do that by consulting with state governments, Premier Cook, industry and others.”