With the final Senate seat in Queensland looking to be between the Greens and Labor, the result will be determined by postal and below-the-line votes which are expected to take up to three weeks to count. Traditionally the Greens poll strongly in below-the-line votes, so it will be a very close result.

“I am delighted with yesterday’s result, and very proud that Queenslanders have voted for a fairer and more sustainable future by strongly supporting the Greens,” said lead Senate candidate for Queensland Larissa Waters.

In the last federal election, the Greens in Queensland polled 5.4% in the Senate and 5.1% in the House of Representatives. With 75% of the vote counted, the Greens have increased those figures with a 2.04% swing in the Senate and a 0.5% swing in the House of Representatives.

“Given the very strong support for Labor in Queensland, and the mood to simply vote to remove the Coalition, the increased Green vote is an endorsement of our strong policies on climate change, fair rights at work, protection for human rights, and decent funding for public hospitals and schools. We are hopeful that we will elect our first Greens Senator for Queensland once all the votes have been counted,” said Ms Waters.

Nationally, the Coalition look to have lost their majority in the Senate, but on current figures they could still block Rudd’s changes with the support of Family First’s lone Senator. If current figures hold, Labor would need the support of the Greens, Independent Nick Xenophon and Family First to pass legislation through the Senate.

“It is on knife edge for the Greens in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. If we pick up those three Senate seats, we would hold the balance of power in the Senate. If not, Family First and Nick Xenophon will share the balance of power, meaning a very uncertain future for Kevin Rudd’s plans.”

“The Greens in the balance of power in the Senate would keep the government accountable. We would review legislation to make it better and fairer, as we’ve done responsibly in State Parliaments for over 20 years in the balance of power. We would work with Kevin Rudd to get rapid action on climate change, to abolish WorkChoices and to get a $30 a week increase for Australia's 2 million aged pensioners.”

Support for other minor parties in Queensland was down in the Senate, with Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett likely to lose his seat after polling 1.95%, and Family First dropping more than 1% to 2.32%.

“I would like to pay tribute to Senator Andrew Bartlett, who has worked tirelessly on social justice and environmental issues in Queensland over the last decade. It is very sad to see his intelligence and compassion lost from our Parliament. I wish him and his family well, and hope to see him continue his good work for the community in another role.”

In the House of Representatives, Greens Brisbane candidate Elizabeth Guthrie increased the vote by an impressive 2.52% up to 11.85%, the strongest Green lower house vote. In the seat of Wide Bay, where the proposed Traveston Dam and Council amalgamations have angered residents, candidate Katherine Webb led a swing of 1.35% to the Greens, to 8.36%. The Greens also had solid swings in Lilley, Moreton and Leichhardt, where Greens first-time candidates polled strongly.

“I extend my congratulations and my thanks to our outstanding candidates, who have so successfully brought the Green message of fairness and sustainability to their communities and who have worked so hard over the last few months,” said Ms Waters.

For comment:

Larissa Waters

Australian Greens lead Senate candidate for Queensland

larissa.waters@qld.greens.org.au