The Gillard government has won the support of the Greens for its $1.8 billion flood levy after agreeing to restore $100 million in funding for solar power programs.
However the government must still secure the support of at least one more crossbencher in the lower house and another crossbencher in the Senate if it is to implement the controversial levy to pay for flood reconstruction.
“We’ll be supporting the package in the House of Representatives and the Senate,” Greens leader Bob Brown announced in Canberra today.
Senator Brown said he had held intensive negotiations with Julia Gillard on the issue of cuts to climate programs, some of which had been deferred by the government to raise cash for flood rebuilding.
“The solar flagships program has had the $60 million restored for the current program and $40 million which was to be put beyond the forward estimates brought back,” he said.
As well as Greens MP Adam Bandt, the government now has support for the levy from West Australian Nationals MP Tony Crook and independent Bob Katter.
But it needs the backing of at least one of three three remaining independent MPs - Rob Oakeshott, Tony Windsor and Andrew Wilkie - to get the levy through the lower house.
All three have yet to declare their position ahead of parliamentary debate next week.
The government also needs the backing of all seven crossbenchers in the Senate to have parliament approve the levy.
While the Greens and Family First’s Steve Fielding have been won over, independent Nick Xenophon remains uncommitted.
Mr Oakeshott was today giving nothing away about his voting intentions.
“I’m not holding out, I’m using the time that we’ve got on the government’s agenda to talk to as many people as possible,” he told Sky News.
MPs will debate the levy legislation on Tuesday and Wednesday.
