James Massola, National affairs editor, and Paul Sakkal, federal political correspondent, dive into the evolving landscape of the Greens party in Australia. They discuss the party's hardline stance on international issues and their focus on affordable housing. The pair explore internal controversies and leadership challenges, revealing tensions between radical ideas and mainstream appeal. They also analyze how the Greens are redefining their identity amid scrutiny and potential leadership changes, all while navigating a tricky media narrative.
The Greens' recent decline in primary votes and Adam Bandt's low likability highlight challenges in appealing to voters despite strong policy proposals.
By broadening their agenda to include socio-economic issues, the Greens aim to attract younger voters while navigating significant internal and external challenges.
Deep dives
Greens' Polling Insights
Recent polling indicates that the Greens have experienced a slight decline in their primary vote, with party leader Adam Bandt receiving a notably low likability rating of negative 50. This positions him as one of the least popular politicians in Australia, raising questions about the party's overall appeal to voters. Interestingly, while certain policy proposals, such as incorporating dental and psychological care into Medicare, garnered significant support, this popularity has not translated into increased support for the Greens or Bandt himself. Furthermore, the party's stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict has not resonated as strongly with the electorate as hoped, suggesting a disconnect between their advocacy and public perception.
Broadened Policy Focus
The Greens have expanded their focus beyond environmental issues to address a broader range of socio-economic topics, including inequality, housing affordability, and social justice. Historical leaders like Bob Brown and Christine Milne acknowledged the growing significance of economic justice, especially in light of crises that have highlighted social disparities since the global financial crisis. Policies addressing tax reform, negative gearing, and housing affordability are increasingly prominent within the Greens' agenda, with key figures like Max Chandler-Mather emerging as influential spokespersons. This shift reflects the party's attempt to distinguish itself from Labor by prioritizing these pressing social issues that resonate with younger voters seeking more ambitious political solutions.
Internal Challenges and Branding Issues
The Greens face significant internal challenges that have contributed to damaging their public brand, particularly surrounding leadership accountability and staff turnover in Senator Dorinda Cox's office. Reports of a hostile work environment and allegations of bullying leading to high staff attrition have cast doubt on the party's internal culture under Adam Bandt's leadership. Additionally, controversies such as the party's alignment with pro-Palestinian activism and involvement in CFMEU rallies have raised questions among moderate supporters about the party's platform and direction. These issues, compounded by criticisms of their uncompromising stance on housing policies, suggest that the Greens must navigate a complex landscape of public perception and internal cohesion as they prepare for upcoming elections.
Hi there, I’m Jacqueline Maley, the host of Inside Politics, The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald’s weekly politics podcast.
We’re bringing you the best episodes of 2024, before we return in early February for the election year.
Last year was a big one for the Greens, often called the third party of Australian politics.
They took what was seen as a hardline stance backing Palestinians in the war with Israel, owned the issue of affordable housing, and controversially came to the defence of the CFMEU in the wake of revelations the union had been infiltrated by criminals.
National affairs editor James Massola and federal political correspondent Paul Sakkal bring you this episode today, on January 10.