With margins in some inner-city seats as tight as a thick, close-fitting wool collar, the Greens leader Richard Di Natale has floated the idea of one day forming government with the Liberal party, but says “it’s much more likely the opportunity rests with Labor”.
The former physician, now senator, told an upcoming issue of GQ the prospect of a Greens-Liberal alliance was “unlikely” but his political mantra was to “never say never”.
Well, almost never. Di Natale also told the magazine it was “a question for the party, but I think it’s never going to happen”.
“I don’t see a time when we can form a coalition with the Liberal party, particularly this Liberal party, because our views are so far apart,” he said.
Not a sandal or hemp shirt was in sight for the accompanying fashion photoshoot, for which Di Natale posed in clothing by designers Acne, Balenciaga, Christian Louboutin and Hugo Boss.
One shot has already been released showing the Victorian senator in a sleek black turtleneck, drawing comparisons to Daniel Craig, Steve Jobs, Sinead O’Connor and former wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Pleased to see @RichardDiNatale joining the ranks of those respecting the tactical potential of the turtleneck. pic.twitter.com/582jijaVis
— Dan Smith (@0DanSmith) March 8, 2016
Live Green and Prosper
— Richard Di Natale (@RichardDiNatale) March 9, 2016
h/t @DrCCunningham pic.twitter.com/ikacvaOswh
Di Natale’s pragmatism has been on show in the 10 months since he was elected unopposed to succeed Christine Milne. The Greens have backed the government on pension cuts, corporate tax transparency measures and, last week, on changes to Senate voting rules.
“It’s true that there are some people who say we should never do anything with the Liberal party,” Di Natale told the magazine.
“But it’s my view and the view of my party room, that you have to put the policy first and then the politics looks after itself.”
Separated At Birth pic.twitter.com/iDITrwp1lM
— Alice Workman (@workmanalice) March 8, 2016
Richard Di Natale channeling that henchman guy in Under Siege #auspol #greens pic.twitter.com/mj8frtuufL
— pinky grusovin (@pinkygruso) March 8, 2016
In the interview, out on 14 March, Di Natale also discusses his relationships with Turnbull and Tony Abbott, as well as taking on some in his party on the issue of genetically modified foods.
“It’s about changing the conversation,” he said about genetic modification.
“With a position like GM foods, you’re boxed into a pro-science or anti-science camp. It’s actually more nuanced that that.”
