2022-05-22
Greens Leader Adam Bandt has joined two QLD Green MPs-elect Elizabeth Watson-Brown and Max Chandler-Mather from Ryan and Griffith and new QLD Senator-elect Penny Allman-Payne in Brisbane today to celebrate last night’s electoral Greenslide. Mr Bandt said the Greenslide could continue in the coming days with the seats of Brisbane, Macanama and Richmond still to be decided and the Greens in a very strong position.
Mr Bandt also announced that all sitting Greens Senators would be returned and that three new Senators would be elected taking the number of Greens to 12 and balance of power in the Senate as Liberal Senate losses across States and Territories are pushing the Greens closer into sole balance of power.
Mr Bandt said it was too early to know if Labor would gain a majority or need to govern in minority with as many as eleven seats still in doubt and that Anthony Albanese would need to work with the Greens to ensure stable government and pass legislation through the Parliament. With a record breaking number of postal ballots still entirely uncounted, Labor vs Liberal seats unsettled include Bass, Bennelong, Casey. Deakin, Dickson, Gilmore, Lingiari, Lyons, Menzies, Moore and Sturt.
Quotes attributable to Adam Bandt MP:
“We have five new MPs and Senators and the Greenslide is set to grow in the coming days.”
“People have delivered a mandate for action on climate and inequality.
“A record number of people have voted for the Greens and we will be in the balance of power in the Senate and possibly the House. The Greens are the most powerful third party in the Parliament.”
“Voters have made it clear they want the Greens to push the Albanese Government to go further and faster on climate change and inequality.”
“We want to work with Anthony Albanese to deliver the stable, effective, progressive government that Australians have voted for, but he will need to work constructively with the Greens and the rest of the crossbench.”