Greens leader Adam Bandt loses seat in Melbourne

Greens leader Adam Bandt ousted in Melbourne, leaving party without a leader after unexpected election defeat.

Adam Bandt, the leader of the Greens, has lost his seat in Melbourne following a close count that revealed a 4.4 per cent drop in his primary vote.

The outcome was unexpected for the party, as Bandt assured supporters he would retain his position just days before.

With his defeat, the Greens are now without a leader and must begin the search for a successor. Labor’s Sarah Witty is projected to succeed him after the recent elections resulted in significant losses for the Greens, including the defeat of other candidates such as Max Chandler-Mather.

Bandt has been a prominent figure in the Greens since 2010 when he became the first candidate from the party to win a federal seat. Throughout his tenure, he has focused on climate change and social issues, including housing and dental services within Medicare. He also played a significant role during a minority government formed by Julia Gillard.

His unexpected loss alongside significant Labor gains is viewed as a crucial turning point for the party. Potential candidates to take over his leadership include Senators Sarah Hanson-Young and Mehreen Faruqi.

Despite setbacks, the Greens are expected to maintain influence in the Senate. Adam Bandt’s political journey began with a call for climate action, and his departure marks a notable shift for the Greens party.