The Greens plan to introduce legislation barring the banks from lifting interest rates beyond official rate rises for two years.

That would also require the banks to promptly follow Reserve Bank rate cuts.

Greens leader Bob Brown challenged the government and opposition to back their rhetoric on the banks with action.

‘‘I put a direct challenge to Joe Hockey and to Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to support the Greens in preventing the banks from doing it again,’’ he told the Nine Network today.

‘‘Sound and fury is not good enough. This is hurting people.