Greens leadership battle unfolds with ‘big shoes' to fill after Adam Bandt failed to be re-elected in formerly safe Melbourne seat
The Greens have begun preparing for a three-way leadership race after former leader Adam Bandt failed to be re-elected in his formerly safe seat of Melbourne.
The party lost three of its four lower house seats after three years of scandals, including antisemitism allegations, workplace complaints and support for the CFMEU.
Following the electoral wipeout in the lower house, Greens Senator David Shoebridge denied that the party had lost its way since being founded on environmental issues.
"Yes, we lost those three seats. No one's going to pretend otherwise. (But) we now have the sole balance of power in the senate," he told Sky News Sunday Agenda.
"Our core vote held, and indeed, it strengthened into electorates and places we haven't seen before."
The Greens must now elect a new leader, as a three-way contest emerges between Senators Mehreen Faruqi, Sarah Sarah Hanson-Young and Larissa Waters.
Mr Shoebridge said it was "time for a woman" to lead the Greens, with just four men in the party's 12 elected representatives.
All three female leadership contenders hold senior roles within the party and represent its progressive heartland.
Ms Hanson-Young, a prominent South Australian senator, has been a loud voice on climate and refugee issues.
Ms Faruqi, the party's deputy leader and the first Muslim woman in Australian parliament, has pushed issues on education and the war in Gaza.
She raised eyebrows in the 47th Parliament of Australia when she wore a keffiyeh to the senate and shouted "free Palestine" in the chamber.
Ms Waters, a former co-deputy leader from Queensland, has represented the party on women's issues, mining and resources.
'We haven't seen final nominations… I'm not going to give you a running commentary on who I would be supporting as leader,' Mr Shoebridge said.
'My hope is that we, and I see this happening, we will come together as collegiately as we can and first of all try and make a consensus decision.
'Whoever is chosen to do that is going to have a job to bring the party together and put forward a positive platform for the next three years.'
Mr Shoebridge ruled out running for the leadership position, but did not deny the possibility of running to become deputy leader.
'The bulk of our party room are women and I think it's time… it would be good to see a woman lead the Greens.'
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