Australia’s Greens Eye Logging Ban in Role as Election Kingmaker

(Bloomberg) -- Australia’s Greens will demand the end of logging in native forests if upcoming federal elections finish without a clear winner and the party is invited to join the Labor government.

Under the Greens’ plan, the federal government would pay regional administrations A$500 million ($310 million) annually over 20 years to halt the practice, the party said. Ending the logging of indigenous woodlands and land clearing could cut emissions by 37.5 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, or 8.5% of the national total, it said in a statement. 

An election is due by May 17, with polls indicating opposition leader Peter Dutton’s Liberal-National Coalition has edged ahead of Labor. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government holds power by just two seats, meaning the loss of even a few districts would force him to negotiate with minor parties and independent lawmakers to hold on to power.

“With experts predicting minority Parliament, the Greens will keep Peter Dutton out and get Labor to act,” Greens leader Adam Bandt said. “This election offers a once-in-a-generation chance to protect our forests and environment.”

The Greens currently hold four seats in the 151-member House of Representatives. The value of the log harvest from native forests was A$296 million in the 12 months through June 2023, government data show. That compares with A$2.15 billion from commercial plantations. 

©2025 Bloomberg L.P.