Australian Greens head Bob Brown reaped praises Friday from outgoing Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner even as his party sets eye on the Melbourne seat, long held by the Labour Party since 1904, which would be vacated by Mr Tanner following his decision on Thursday to quit politics.

Senator Brown said that Mr Tanner rendered an honourable service to Australia which would be hard to replicate but he is confident that come election day, the Greens could field a candidate that would suit well for Melbourne's modern and progressive electorate.

The Greens would require a swing vote of 4.7 percent in order to snatch the seat from Labour and they are banking on Barrister Adam Bandt to ably do the job for the party.

Senator Brown endorsed Mr Bandt as "very optimistic and intelligent fellow, who would be a good representative in parliament."

On the other hand, Health Minister Nicola Roxon said that Mr Tanner played a key role in the government especially during the height of the global financial crisis as Australia successfully dodged threats of recession when much of the world economies succumbed to financial meltdowns.

Ms Roxon said that the finance minister will be missed and he should not be judged on his decision to quit politics and spend more time with his family.

She said that everyone must respect Mr Tanner's decision as she added that she was deeply moved "when Lindsay was explaining that for him the point has come where he wants to be able to spend more time with his four children, two of whom are very young."