Greens leader Adam Bandt has conceded the seat of Melbourne, leaving a gaping hole in the party’s leadership.
Bandt on Thursday called Labor candidate Sarah Witty to congratulate her on securing the electorate he has held since 2010.
“It’s been a joy to represent you and I hope I’ve made you proud,” he said.
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“I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved as leader.”
Despite the Greens receiving the most primary votes in his electorates, Bandt said it was not enough to prevent Labor getting over the line with the help of right-wing preferences from One Nation and the Liberals.
He described the Liberals, Labor and One Nation as “an Everest we’ve climbed a few times now, but this time we fell just short”.
Bandt listed his work driving marriage equality, getting dental onto Medicare for children and helping legislate stronger climate protections as some of his proudest achievements in office.
The Greens leader joins Griffith MP Max Chandler-Mather and member for Brisbane Stephen Bates in heading for the exit and leaves the party in need of a new captain.
Peter Dutton, who lost the election and his Queensland seat, took aim at Bandt on social media site X.
“No spin by Adam Bandt can change the reality that he, and other Green members, lost their seats because of their appalling treatment of the Jewish community,” he said.
“We were proud to preference the Greens last, helping to ensure Adam Bandt’s loss.”
Fellow Queenslander Elizabeth Watson-Brown is expected to retain the seat of Ryan to be the sole Greens MP in the House of Representatives.
Deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi and manager of business in the Senate Sarah Hanson-Young are early frontrunners to take over the leadership.
Greens Senate leader Larissa Waters is another contender, as is high-profile senator David Shoebridge.
The Greens, who campaigned heavily on housing and the war in Gaza, have faced criticism for straying from their core principles of advocating for action on climate change and environmental protections.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who spearheaded Labor’s dominant victory at Saturday’s federal election, said the Greens lost their way during the last term, holding up legislation boosting public housing and environmental protections.
“It’s pretty hard to see that they have a reason for any joy arising out of this election,” he told Sky News.
‘Deeply anxious’
Faruqi blamed the swing against the Greens on voters switching to Labor to avoid the prospect of a Peter Dutton-led government.
“A lot of progressive Australians were deeply anxious about a Dutton government, and I think that was a factor in some of the lower house seats,” she told ABC Radio.
While the Greens have been wounded by the loss of their leader, their power in shaping legislation has arguably increased.
Despite having four lower house MPs in the last parliament, Labor’s majority in the House of Representatives essentially made them redundant.
But with Labor increasing its Senate numbers and the Greens holding onto 11 seats in the upper house, the minor party now boasts sole balance of power.
Labor can pass legislation opposed by the coalition with only the support of the Greens and without needing the help of independent senators such as David Pocock or Jacqui Lambie.
- With AAP
