The Australian Democrats say the Greens/Labor preference deal is a message to voters that if they want a genuine balance of power party in the Senate they won’t get it if they vote for the Greens.
Australian Democrats National President, Julia Melland, said that The Greens have shown this bias for many years, but it is time the spotlight was really shone it.
“Voters must know that if they vote 1 for The Greens their preferences will go to Labor whether they like it or not.
“It reveals that The Greens are fundamentally a left-based party.
“The Australian Democrats have always encouraged voters to make up their own minds and we intend to maintain that approach in this election.
“We have almost always registered a split ticket with the Electoral Commission, and our how to vote cards clearly advise voters that they can make their own choices.
“This grubby deal shows that if voters want a party that will consider legislation on its merits to represent them in the Senate then the Australian Democrats, as the progressive centre of Australian politics, should be their choice,” Ms Melland said.
