Greens Leader Issues Apology Over Secret Liberal Negotiations
ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury has formally apologised to his party's rank-and-file members for the controversial handling of confidential power-sharing discussions with the Canberra Liberals. The apology came during a lengthy and tense meeting that reportedly left the fundamental issue unresolved, highlighting significant internal divisions within the Greens.
Confidentiality Agreements Spark Member Outrage
Members learned for the first time that a hand-picked group within the Greens had signed confidentiality agreements to advise on whether the party should more broadly explore a potential governing deal with the Liberals. This revelation, shared by people familiar with the meeting's proceedings, has caused considerable consternation among grassroots members.
The selection process for this advisory group broke with long-standing party precedents that require direct election of representatives to internal decision-making bodies. Furthermore, members were deliberately blocked from discovering the identities of those involved in the secretive group during Thursday night's meeting.
Lengthy Meeting Fails to Resolve Core Issues
The gathering, held at the party's Northbourne Avenue office, lasted more than two and a half hours and attracted over 100 participants, including some joining online. Despite the extended discussion, not all questions were answered, and the prospect of retaliatory action against Greens MLAs involved in the talks was explicitly flagged.
The advisory group reportedly met and rejected terms of reference for further consideration of a potential deal with the Canberra Liberals. All four Greens members in the Legislative Assembly were said to have been involved in the negotiations, though specific details remain scarce.
Leadership Under Pressure Despite Brown's Support
Mr Rattenbury appears set to continue as leader despite growing disquiet within the party about his handling of the talks. This persistence comes even though grassroots Greens members retain the power to force a meeting that could spill the party's parliamentary leadership positions.
The ACT Greens leader received public support from former Australian Greens leader Bob Brown, who defended him in a letter to The Canberra Times. During the meeting, Mr Rattenbury reportedly apologised to members and faced persistent questioning for more detailed information about the negotiations.
Official Communications Frustrate Membership
Members were informed that Labor's behaviour and performance in government had raised concerns, prompting the Greens to consider alternative pathways forward. However, the lack of detail in official party communications has reportedly frustrated many members.
An email sent to Greens members more than a week after The Canberra Times first reported rumours of a power-sharing deal confirmed the party had engaged in policy talks and explored parliamentary options with the Liberals. Multiple sources familiar with the email's contents said it blamed Labor for how the so-called policy talks had been portrayed in the media.
European Politics Cited as Precedent
Mr Rattenbury confirmed on Tuesday that his party's discussions with the Liberals considered "a possible change of government" and pointed to European politics as demonstrating ways for political parties to work together across traditional ideological divides.
The Greens leader revealed he had sat down with Canberra Liberals leader Mark Parton after Mr Parton was elected by his party room to lead the opposition in November. "Those conversations have progressed to some degree," Mr Rattenbury told ABC radio.
"The focus has really been on the frustrations we hear from the Canberra community about the things that are not being fixed, the complacency of the government in a range of areas and how you might approach them differently," he explained. "So, it's very much been about how do we get better outcomes for the community."
Internal Shock Over Right-Wing Alliance Prospect
Privately, Greens members have expressed a mixture of shock and anger about the prospect of their party, which emerged from the Australian environmental movement, potentially helping the right-wing Canberra Liberals into power. This ideological discomfort has intensified internal tensions.
The Greens' management committee and other elected decision-making bodies within the party are expected to meet soon to consider the full ramifications and nature of the talks with the Liberals. A notice to members had promised the meeting would "provide an opportunity for both the Assembly team and management committee to provide detailed information on what has happened so far, and where we now stand, regarding dialogue between the ACT Greens and Canberra Liberals."
