Federal election 2025: PM’s tongue twister moment on campaign trail revives claims of a Green danger ahead

Anthony Albanese has insisted he doesn’t negotiate with the Greens, immediately after appearing to rule in the option of a coalition while being asked to rule it out.

The Prime Minister was on the campaign trail in Perth when he was asked about a possible preference deal, as opinion polls point towards a likely minority government.

“In spite of the 385 times that I have said we will not govern in coalition with anyone, including the Greens,” he said.

“I rule out, just to be really clear again, if you ask me, do you rule out governing in coalition with the Greens? The answer is no, no I don’t.”

The Coalition seized on the double-negative and demanded Mr Albanese clarify whether it was a mistake.

“The PM unequivocally ruled out a deal with the Greens today and every day for the last three years,” a Labor statement said.

In the same press conference, Mr Albanese had maintained his only focus is to win a majority.

“I don’t negotiate with the Greens, my campaign team in Grayndler is about campaigning against the Greens,” he said.

“I’m pretty confident that I can deliver a majority of Labor members of the House of Representatives to govern the nation.”

But WA Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash claimed the slip-up should serve as a warning to voters.

“Mr Albanese in the Senate negotiates with the Greens on a daily basis,” she said.

“Whether or not he says it was a slip of the tongue, it is irrelevant. We know exactly what the next Government is going to look like. If it is an Albanese Government, it will be an Albanese Government run by the Australian Greens.”

Mr Albanese arrived in Perth as the latest Newspoll showed him edging in front of Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and on track for a 51 - 49 two-party preferred victory.

The result would still produce a hung Parliament, but would have the Government closer to a majority in its own right.

Mr Albanese also recorded a rise in his net approval — after a week of a sales pitch over his Budget and officially calling the election on Friday — to -9 per cent.

Mr Dutton’s net approval dropped to -18 per cent.