Q&A;: Bowen adamantly rejects Greens alliance
Chris Bowen rejects the idea of a Greens coalition in no uncertain terms on Monday night's Q&A.
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Labor has again ruled out collaborating with the Greens, despite a cliffhanger election result which leaves both major parties with the possibility of forming minority government.
Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen rubbished any possible collaboration on the ABC's Q&A on Monday night, in a terse exchange with Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
![Sarah Hanson-Young examinesChris Bowen amid a terse exchange.](/web/20160707070758im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/y/h/y/v/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gpyhnf.png/1467696409528.png)
Sarah Hanson-Young examinesChris Bowen amid a terse exchange. Photo: ABC
In response to a questioner who asked if Labor should "stop being so bloody-minded" and "join hands" with the Greens, with whom they share ideological similarities, Bowen said he did not agree.
"We said before the election, it was a firm commitment, no deals, concessions, agreements with any minor party. Greens, Xenophon, anybody else," Bowen said, as Sarah Hanson-Young laughed incredulously.
"That was our position before the election, it's our position right now. People questioned it and said 'surely if it's a hung parliament you'll try to get office'. That's our position.
![Josh Frydenberg named several Independents the Coalition would be willing to work with.](/web/20160707070758im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/y/h/y/u/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gpyhnf.png/1467696409528.png)
Josh Frydenberg named several Independents the Coalition would be willing to work with. Photo: ABC
"What happens next is firstly a matter for Malcolm Turnbull. He's the incumbent Prime Minister, he gets the first opportunity to form a government in consultation with the crossbench.
"Labor governs alone or not at all. It's a principle that John Curtin outlined, it's a principle that I believe in, and it's a principle that I think is important for who we stand for, who we are."
He said Julia Gillard's co-operation with the Greens in the past was "in hindsight, an error".
![Chris Bowen ruled out any collaborations with the Greens, in a move criticised as "arrogant".](/web/20160707070758im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/y/h/y/o/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gpyhnf.png/1467696409528.png)
Chris Bowen ruled out any collaborations with the Greens, in a move criticised as "arrogant". Photo: ABC
"It's not a criticism I made at the time. I look back and say we didn't need to do that, and we shouldn't do it again."
Ms Hanson-Young called for unity, saying the Australian public had voted for "a variety of different voices" so those voices had to work together.
"Our job now, as parliamentarians, whatever colour we wear, is to roll up our sleeves and work out how we can actually work together," she said. "The winner-takes-all attitude is what has been shunned by the Australian people. They've had enough of it."
Bowen responded that was "not going to happen" and denied his attitude of refusing to negotiate was "arrogant".
"You can put your case, but it takes two to tango, we're not on the dance floor," Bowen said.
"It's not arrogant, it's a statement of fact. We went to the election with policies, if we form a government, we want to implement those policies. Not Greens policies."
Hanson-Young responded: "But you haven't won Chris. You haven't been able to do that."
Bowen's steadfast views contrasted with earlier comments from Liberal MP Josh Frydenberg, who said the Coalition was willing operate as a minority government by partnering with independents from conservative backgrounds such as Nick Xenophon, Cathy McGowan or Bob Katter.
"A government that wins the confidence on the floor of the house is the government of the day," Frydenberg said.
"I think we all have an interest – Chris and myself, as representatives of the two major parties – to make the government work, because that's what the Australian people want from an election."
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