Greens leader Adam Bandt addressed the media acknowledging the challenging position of his party following the recent federal elections in Australia. Despite the looming threat of losing all four of their parliamentary seats—three in Queensland and one in Victoria—Bandt remained optimistic about retaining his seat in Melbourne and expressed hope for victories in Wills and Richmond.
The Greens conceded defeats in Griffith and Brisbane to the Labor Party, while races in Melbourne and Ryan remain too close to call. Bandt faces strong competition from Labor’s Sarah Witty in Melbourne, and incumbent Elizabeth Watson-Brown is struggling against Coalition candidate Maggie Forrest in Ryan.
While Bandt is currently confident about the potential for Greens representation, he noted that the shift from Liberal to Labor votes posed a formidable challenge. He remarked that in several electorates, Labor candidates might only succeed due to preferences from Liberal supporters, which complicates the Greens’ position.
Nonetheless, Bandt highlighted the party’s “record high” representation in the Senate, capturing nearly 14 per cent, thus placing the Greens in a position of sole balance of power in that chamber. He underscored that this strength allows the government to no longer deflect responsibility for legislative gridlock onto smaller party members.
Moving forward, Bandt asserted that the Greens stand ready to advocate for progressive policies, pointing out that key issues such as dental care inclusion in Medicare and free childcare hinge on Labor’s decisions in parliament. He conveyed a firm stance that the obstacles to advancing significant reforms rest with Labor, suggesting that it falls upon the Greens to push for a more progressive legislative agenda.
Despite the setbacks faced in the House of Representatives, Bandt expressed determination to maintain his leadership and ensure the party does not depend on external preferences to secure votes. He acknowledged the need to win seats independently and recognised the efforts of Liberal and Labor in collaborating on preferences to challenge the Greens, stating their unique position as a genuine alternative political choice.
In summary, Adam Bandt remains hopeful about the Greens’ future while acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, striving to solidify their role in Australian politics as advocates for progressive change.