Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Greens question motive behind policy costing rejection

Updated at 6:29 am on 27 August 2010

Australian Green Party leader Bob Brown says he believes Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is trying to force Australia back to the polls.

Saturday's election was inconclusive, leaving Australia with a hung parliament.

As of Friday morning, Labor and the Coaltion had 72 seats each, the Greens had one and independents four.

The three confirmed independents who will decide who forms the next Government - Rob Oakeshott, Tony Windsor and Bob Katter - have asked both Labor and the Coaltion to submit their policies to Treasury for costing.

Mr Abbott has refused to meet that request until the source of a Treasury leak is found.

Mr Brown says Mr Abbott's motives are suspicious.

He says Mr Abbott either wants the MPs to surrender their independence or to set in motion a new election.

Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand