Since the 1980s, the Greens have been an important part of the Australian political landscape. By the end of that decade, the party held the balance of power in Tasmania, where they worked with the ALP on ensuring sound environmental policies. In 1990 Jo Vallentine became the party’s first federal Senator representing the newly formed Greens WA. Later in the early 90’s the balance of power in the senate was held by West Australian Green senators Dee Margetts and Christobel Chamarette.

Since 2000, the Greens have gone from strength to strength in parliamentary representation, with Senator Christine Milne now championing the party's position at the national level. The 2001 federal election saw Bob Brown joined in the senate by Kerry Nettle of New South Wales. In 2004, the Greens increased their Senate representation to four when Bob and Kerry were joined by Christine Milne (Tasmania) and Rachel Siewert (WA). At the 2007 Federal election, more than a million Australians voted Green. Bob Brown was resoundingly re-elected, but Kerry Nettle was not, despite an increase in her vote. Sarah Hanson-Young (SA) and Scott Ludlam (WA) joined Bob, Christine and Rachel in the Senate in July 2008.

The 2010 federal election saw the Green's first member of the House of Representitives with Adam Bandt winning the seat of Melbourne. Penny Wright (SA), Larissa Waters (QLD) and Lee Rhiannon (NSW) all won Senate seats giving the Greens 9 Senators and the balance of power in the Senate. After Bob resigned Senator Peter Whish-Wilson took over as a Senator from Tasmania.

At state level, the Greens now have twenty-two elected members of parliament: five in Tasmania, four in New South Wales, four in the ACT, four in Western Australia, three in Victoria, two in South Australia and one in the Queensland. More than 100 Greens have been elected to local councils around the country.

Greens Senators

Senators Portfolios