Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Federal election

Dr RATNAM (Northern Metropolitan) (12:41): I am so proud to be part of a movement that saw a historic Greens-slide towards stronger action on climate change at the weekend’s election. More people voted Greens than ever before, helping to keep the Liberals out. They voted for action on climate, for a phase-out out of coal and gas and for tackling inequality.

Congratulations to Adam Bandt and Greens around the country—a phenomenal result with at least three and maybe up to five lower house seats and the balance of power in the Senate with a record 12 senators. In Victoria more people voted Green than anywhere else in the country. Lidia Thorpe was re-elected on our biggest Senate vote ever. We saw strong swings across the state, particularly in seats like Macnamara, which is still in contention, and Cooper.

The decline in both the Liberal and Labor vote in Victoria shows voters want representatives who will push for faster action on climate, address inequality and bring integrity back to Parliament. It is clear that people across the country are moving away from the outdated two-party system and want to see more diverse and independent voices representing them. Our amazing people-powered movement is ready to take the momentum of this incredible Greens campaign into November to see even more Greens elected in Victoria to push the next government to go further and faster on phasing out coal and gas and tackling inequality, which in Victoria means fixing the housing crisis.