dodasam
Greens Leader’s Reaction
Adam Bandt, leader of the Greens, has described being targeted by the conservative lobby group Advance Australia as a “badge of honour” as Australia approaches its next federal election. Bandt’s comment reflects his belief that the Greens’ growing influence is evident in the group’s intensified campaign against them.
Advance Australia’s Campaign Focus
Advance Australia, which previously celebrated its role in defeating the voice to parliament referendum, has recently revealed that its new campaign will focus on “exposing” the Greens. According to Advance, the Greens are deemed Australia’s “biggest threat to freedom, security, and prosperity.” The group aims to sway swing voters and discourage them from supporting the Greens at the polls.
Bandt’s Perspective
In response to this new campaign, Bandt welcomed the attention, interpreting it as confirmation of the Greens’ impact. He remarked, “We are clearly hitting a nerve.” Bandt highlighted the party’s commitment to both economic issues and environmental protection, which he believes has contributed to its growing support.
Historical Context
At the 2022 federal election, the Greens secured 12.3% of the vote on first preferences, translating to approximately 1.8 million votes. The party gained three lower house seats and six Senate seats, raising its federal parliamentary representation to 16 members. Following Lidia Thorpe’s exit, the Greens now have 15 members across both houses.
Advance Australia’s Critique
Matthew Sheahan, executive director of Advance Australia, expressed dissatisfaction with the Greens’ growing popularity. He criticized the Greens as a “toxic” and “anti-capitalist” party, claiming their strong brand is misleading. Sheahan suggested that the Greens’ environmental focus, once genuine, has evolved into something he views as damaging.
Strategic Approach of Advance
Advance Australia plans to start its campaign with “soft” tactics, aiming to inform voters about the Greens’ broader policies beyond climate action. Sheahan indicated that the group would target women aged 33 to 49 to shift perceptions of the Greens. The goal is to reduce the Greens’ vote share in the lower house by 2% and in the Senate by 4%.
Greens’ Electoral Strategy
The Greens are targeting several key seats in the upcoming election, including inner-city areas held by Labor MPs such as Wills and Macnamara in Melbourne. They are also eyeing Sturt in Adelaide and the Perth electorate. In northern NSW, they are focusing on Richmond, where despite a strong preference vote for the Greens, Labor holds a significant margin.
Polling and Analysis
Recent polling suggests that Labor might secure another win with support from teal and Green MPs. Election analyst Ben Raue noted that major parties are winning more seats than their share of the vote. He pointed out that while major parties still hold significant margins, the Greens are making inroads.
Bandt’s Strategic Insight
Bandt believes that Advance’s focus on the Greens could inadvertently increase voter awareness of the party’s policies, potentially having the opposite effect of what Advance intends. He noted that dissatisfaction with current politicians and urgent issues like economic hardship and climate change are driving more voters toward the Greens.
Advance’s Campaign Financing
Advance Australia is working to build a substantial campaign fund, with reports indicating they have raised $1.5 million towards their $5 million target. Despite limited success in previous federal elections, Sheahan is confident that targeted messaging will impact Greens and teal voters in key seats.
Criticisms of Advance’s Approach
Not everyone is convinced that Advance Australia’s strategy will succeed. Kos Samaras, a former Victorian Labor campaigner, and polling expert, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of a conservative group targeting Greens voters. Similarly, Raue questioned whether enough left-leaning voters could be persuaded to shift their allegiance to right-leaning candidates.
Federal election
As the federal election approaches, the Greens face a concerted effort from Advance Australia to undermine their support. While Bandt views this as a sign of the party’s growing influence, critics and analysts remain divided on the potential impact of such campaigns. The outcome will depend on how effectively both sides can mobilize their supporters and address key issues facing voters.
