Former Greens leader Bob Brown is urging his party to ditch preference deals and run open tickets across the country at the July 2 election, in a move that would make it harder for Labor to win government.

The progressive party's elder statesman says open tickets are more democratic and ALP candidates should "get out and work for votes" rather than relying on Greens preferences to get them elected in marginal seats.

Former Greens leader Bob Brown with current leader Richard Di Natale. Credit:Pat Scala

"I think open tickets are the best because they do leave it up to the voters," Mr Brown told Fairfax Media in an interview this week. "They minimise the party influence and maximise the voter's choice."