'Disgraceful': Labor points fingers as clock ticks down

The blame game has begun as Labor struggles to clear a logjam of legislation before the federal election.

With 30 or so bills still before parliament and just one sitting week left in 2024, the Albanese government has taken aim at the Greens for stalling legislation.

The minor party's objection to the Help to Buy shared equity scheme and incentives for build-to-rent have ignited Labor's ire as the government prepares to bring the bills for a final vote in the Senate in the upcoming days.

"The Greens are going to the next election either as an effective party of protest, that has blocked and delayed action on things they say are important to them, or as a party that lets the government get on with addressing the housing needs of Australia," Housing Minister Clare O'Neil told ABC Radio on Monday.

The two housing bills have struggled to attract the support of the opposition or the Greens, with Labor knocking back fresh demands from the minor party.

Central to the Greens' updated position is funding for 25,000 "shovel-ready" homes not given the go-ahead under the first round of the Housing Australia Future Fund.

Greens housing spokesman Max Chandler-Mather said his party had designed "a compromise offer that is popular, achievable and easy to accept, it requires no new legislation and sits broadly within government policy".

Labor insists the demand is unlawful and would result in the construction of million-dollar homes that are not value for money and could try push through the bill without support from the Greens.

"The time for this negotiation and conversation was six months ago," Ms O'Neil said.

The federal government's attack on the Greens follows the Queensland state election.

The minor party lost a seat in the October contest, bolstering hopes for a Labor resurgence in the state at the upcoming federal election.

Meanwhile, the federal government will try court the opposition's support for its migration bill, which could result in the deportation of more than 80,000 people.

A friendless crackdown on misinformation and disinformation has been shelved and gambling reforms have been pushed into 2025.

Other proposals to establish an environment protection agency and cap the number of foreign student arrivals have reached a stalemate and cabinet minister have continued to point fingers.

"You have populist, vote-grabbing parties like the Greens and the coalition," Resources Minister Madeleine King told ABC Radio.

"We're trying to do the right thing for the Australian community, whereas they want to block this to be able to put out another TikTok.

"It's absolutely disgraceful."

To Labor's relief, the government is expecting wins on its aged care reforms and its social media age limit, with the former expected to attract opposition support.

Under world-first legislation, Australians younger than 16 will be banned from social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit and X.

Labor will also be spruiking its Future Made in Australia plan, with its hydrogen and critical minerals production tax incentives to be introduced to parliament on Monday.

The federal election is due to be held by May 17.