Greenies rule OK.
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 2:19 am
Bum Boy Bob aint a bad chap, though I wonder what extra "green" legislation will be forced though now.The Australian Greens have taken control of the balance of power in the upper house of Parliament this morning.
Four new Greens senators have been sworn in at Parliament House, boosting the party's contingent to nine.
The government hopes a less hostile Senate will allow it to push legislation through Parliament more quickly and with fewer changes.
The Greens will hold sway in the upper house whenever there is a disagreement between the Gillard government and the Coalition opposition.
It also means the government will be tempted to try again with legislation previously stymied by the Senate, including its twice-thwarted bid to impose a means test on the 30 per cent private health insurance rebate.
One piece of legislation unlikely to win Senate approval is Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's bid to have Australians vote in a plebiscite on a carbon tax.
A private bill failed to get backing, even in the old Senate, where the Coalition needed the votes of just two crossbenchers.
With three fewer senators, the Coalition now needs the support of the Greens as well.
That is not going to happen.
Mr Abbott said yesterday that the Greens were already flexing their muscles.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/greens-t ... z1R6CZSczQ
