BREAKING NEWS Major setback for the Greens as Adam Bandt falls behind in the vote count once again - and how he could lose his seat in parliament
Greens leader Adam Bandt is at risk of losing his seat after again falling behind in the vote count following Saturday's federal election.
Bandt has held the seat of Melbourne for more than a decade, but it could be taken by Labor's Sarah Witty, leaving the Greens without their leader in Parliament.
It would be a devastating blow for the party with two other high-profile Greens MPs, Stephen Bates and housing spokesperson Max Chandler-Mather, having both conceded defeat last night.
Ms Witty was ahead of Bandt with 52 per cent of votes compared to 48 per cent as of 10am AEST on Monday morning, with about two-thirds of ballots counted.
This represents an 8.6 per cent swing to Labor since the last election in 2022.
Preferences in postal votes are flowing 75.9 per cent to Labor and 24.1 per cent to the Greens in a particularly worrying sign for Bandt.
The Greens are facing the prospect of having no MPs in the lower house after Bates' and Chandler-Mather's departures and the remaining seats they have a shot at are far from assured.
The party is faring better in the Senate with it looking likely to claim 11 spots.
Bandt released a statement pointing to the Greens' highest ever general vote as a victory late on Election night, despite the potential wipe out in the lower house.
'We have secured the biggest national vote in our history. And together we have kicked Dutton out.'
He said at that point he was confident of retaining his own seat and of picking up three more.
'We'll retain all our Senators, Melbourne and we're looking good in Ryan, Wills and Richmond – we'll know more soon.
'While our national vote has increased, the collapse in the Liberal vote means that Labor will win the seats of Griffith with Liberal preferences, and Brisbane too.'
Firebrand Griffith MP Chandler-Mather lost following a huge 16 per cent swing to Labor candidate Renee Coffey.
Chandler-Mather had been called Anthony Albanese's nemesis after butting heads with him about Labor's housing policy, claiming the Labor government was abandoning renters behind during the cost of living crisis.
He previously said in Parliament he would have to drag Labor 'kicking and screaming to taking meaningful action' on the rental crisis.
'If we praise the Labor party for offering crumbs, that's all we'll get.'
Bandt said following his concession speech that: 'There's never been a first term MP who has had the impact of Max Chandler-Mather.
'He put the rental crisis firmly in the spotlight. He secured billions of dollars for social housing. He fed his local community with his own money. This is not the last we've seen of him.'
Brisbane Greens MP Stephen Bates also conceded defeat to Labor's Madonna Jarrett, finishing third behind the major parties.
They are both one-term wonders, despite the minor party's primary vote holding up.
Bandt said that 'Stephen Bates has been an incredible voice for Brisbane'.
'He has delivered 20,000 meals and holding more than 200 events in his community.
'He went from a retail worker into the halls of Parliament, to holding big corporations accountable for three years.
Bandt also gloated about keeping Peter Dutton out of Parliament.
The Opposition leader's political career looks set to be over after he lost his Queensland seat of Dickson to Labor's Ali France.
'Congratulations to Prime Minister Albanese and Labor on their campaign to keep Dutton out.
'The Greens are set to be a powerful force in the next Parliament, as part of a strong progressive crossbench and holding the balance of power in the Senate, pushing for more action on the climate, housing and cost of living crises.'
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