By Jacob Shteyman in Canberra

Labor has poured cold water on a Greens proposal to agree on the next parliament’s priorities, in case Labor falls short of forming a majority government at the next election.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt pitched the idea on Tuesday, arguing there “would be merit” in knowing what reforms a hung parliament would prioritise.

“I think the priority for us in that situation, if that is what the Australian people choose, and many commentators say it is very likely, is that it should be a stable, effective and progressive parliament,” he told ABC TV.

“I think working that out in advance, working out what the benefits will actually be for people and knowing how then the next three years would map out, that is probably the priority.”

Asked if she would consider a formal power-sharing arrangement with the Greens, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher was dismissive.

“I think, again, we’ve seen Adam Bandt get ahead of himself a number of times in the last year,” she told ABC TV on Wednesday.

“We are campaigning for majority government. We think that’s what brings stability and certainty to the parliament.

“We’ll campaign on our record and on the policies we want to do, and really, I think, continue to ignore some of this commentary from the side, from Adam Bandt.”

Mr Bandt has conceded a coalition governance arrangement was very unlikely.

“But the onus would be on all of us to make sure that it is stable, effective and progressive and really delivers and keeps (Opposition Leader) Peter Dutton out, and I think we can do that,” he said.

The comments align with a more conciliatory tack taken by the Greens in the final weeks of parliament, when they dropped demands on housing, RBA reforms and several other pieces of legislation to help the government pass large parts of its stalled agenda.

The Greens change in approach follows criticism of the party for standing in the way of reforms amid fears of a coalition government prevailing at the election, due by May.

Mr Bandt said the Greens would look to rekindle their approach from the shared-power parliament elected in 2010, when they helped get dental for children included in Medicare.

“As we go to the next election, the Greens’ position will be keep Peter Dutton out and push the next government to act on things like health and housing and climate and environment,” he said.

Mr Bandt dismissed a suggestion the Greens would tie their support to Anthony Albanese continuing as Labor leader.

“The Labor Party gets to choose their leader and we deal with whoever they choose, and so presuming that’s who they choose, we would of course continue to work with him as the prime minister in good faith and reach some outcomes I hope.”