Greens announce party leader after Bandt’s shock defeat
Queensland senator Larissa Waters has been chosen to lead the Greens in federal parliament, replacing Adam Bandt after his unexpected election loss.
Larissa Waters has been appointed to lead the Greens after the minor party lost three seats and its captain at the federal election.
The Queensland senator triumphed over South Australian Sarah Hanson-Young and Mehreen Faruqi from NSW.
Adam Bandt, who had led the Greens since 2020, lost his seat of Melbourne to Labor at the May 3 poll.
The shock defeat ended Bandt’s 15-year career in federal parliament.
Greens leader Adam Bandt lost his seat of Melbourne. Photo: Joel Carrett / AAP
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His colleagues met in Melbourne on Thursday as they began to pick up the pieces.
The Greens lost three lower house seats and failed to pick up any extras at the election.
However, they are confident of wielding influence in the Senate, where the party holds the balance of power.
Tim Read, who represents the Greens in the Victorian parliament, wants to focus on the positives.
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He was encouraged by a close result in the seat of Wills, which the Greens tried to snatch from Labor.
“That gives me confidence that there is growing support for the Greens,” he told AAP.
“I’m also impressed by our increased Senate vote.
“The fact that the Greens senators have proven to retain their popularity and increased it, shows we’ll do well whoever is chosen.”
The Greens are left with the Queensland seat of Ryan and 11 senators following the election.
The news comes amid a factional dispute among the SA Greens, with legislative councillor Tammy Franks leaving the party earlier this week.
Labor has at least 28 seats in the Senate and with the support of the Greens has the numbers to get legislation through the upper house.
