In a surprising turn during Australia's 2025 federal election, Labor's Sarah Witty has reportedly unseated long-standing Greens leader Adam Bandt in the Melbourne seat. This development signals a notable shift in the nation's political dynamics.
Sarah Witty's journey to Parliament is rooted in community service. A Richmond resident, she has worn many hats: foster carer, CEO of the Nappy Collective charity, ballet studio manager, Subway franchise owner, and finance professional. Her diverse experiences have shaped her commitment to social advocacy, notably raising $110 million for community housing through Homes for Homes.
Adam Bandt, the first Greens MP elected to the House of Representatives in 2010, transformed Melbourne into a Greens bastion over 15 years. His leadership saw the party's influence grow, especially among progressive urban voters. However, the 2025 election results indicate a waning grip, with the Greens' representation in the lower house potentially reduced to a single seat.
With almost 70 percent of votes counted, Witty holds 52.7 percent of the vote on a two-party basis, equating to an 8.28 percent swing towards Labor. Bandt, on the other hand, received 47 percent of the vote. Recent boundary changes meant the electorate lost left-leaning voters in the north to Wills and gained typical Labor voters to the south, in South Yarra and Prahran. The Greens are yet to concede defeat in the seat.
Several elements contributed to this political upheaval:
- Labor's Strategic Campaigning: Witty's campaign, bolstered by senior Labor figures like Penny Wong, resonated with voters seeking change.
- Community Engagement: Witty's deep-rooted involvement in local initiatives and her personal narrative of resilience appealed to constituents.
- Shifting Voter Priorities: Concerns over rising living costs, housing affordability, and healthcare may have swayed voters towards Labor's platform.
Witty's victory is emblematic of a broader trend where Labor candidates have made significant inroads into traditional Greens territories, particularly in inner-city areas. This shift underscores changing voter sentiments and the dynamic nature of Australia's political landscape.
While Witty's ascent marks a new chapter, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young continues to be a prominent figure in Australian politics. Known for her advocacy on environmental issues, media diversity, and social justice, Hanson-Young's initiatives, such as introducing a bill to close fracking loopholes and supporting the Indigenous voice campaign, highlight the Greens' ongoing commitment to progressive causes.
In another crushing blow to the Greens Party, it appears that leader Adam Bandt could be losing his Melbourne seat to Labor’s Sarah Witty, leaving the minority party without a leader. While most of us have been indulging in the disastrous federal election results of the Liberal Party — which saw Peter Dutton kicked out of the race for both PM and his seat of Dickson — it appears that the Greens have also been having a nightmare of a time.
Bandt's defeat will come as a shock to the minority party, with ABC News reporting that the leader was confident he would be locked in for Melbourne as recently as Tuesday. At the time of writing, the Greens have retained the lower house seat of Ryan, with Elizabeth Watson-Brown holding it down for the party. Earlier on, the Greens also lost its seats in Brisbane, with both Stephen Bates and Max Chandler-Mather losing their spots in this year’s bloodbath of an election.
The party's presence in the House of Representatives now rests on the shoulders of Ryan MP Elizabeth Watson-Brown, who leads the vote count in Brisbane's leafy western suburbs. The party has a much more promising future in the Senate, with all upper-house members facing the vote re-elected, making for 11 representatives in total.
Witty's projected win over Bandt signifies more than just a seat change; it reflects evolving political currents and the electorate's desire for renewed representation. As the final votes are tallied, this development will undoubtedly shape future political strategies and discourse in Australia.
Witty is not the only female Labor candidate to knock out a Greens MP this election, with two Queensland women winning seats from the minor party in Brisbane’s inner north and south: Madonna Jarrett unseating Stephen Bates in Brisbane and Renee Coffey defeating Max Chandler-Mather in Griffith. Witty is also the second Labor candidate to defeat a party leader this election, after Ali France made history unseating the Liberal leader, Peter Dutton, in her third attempt at Dickson in Brisbane’s west.
As Witty reflects on her journey, she shared in a video posted on social media how her experience as a foster carer has shaped her worldview. After 13 unsuccessful rounds of IVF, she and her partner began fostering, a decision that she credits to her mother’s advice. “At the time, I must admit it was hard to hear, but she said, ‘Maybe you need to be a mum for all children,’” Witty recalled. “I thought she was ridiculous, first of all, and then I thought, ‘Hang on a minute, maybe foster care might be the right place for me to be.’”
With a campaign that emphasizes addressing social disadvantages and a commitment to community engagement, Witty's story resonates with many voters who seek change. Her victory could pave the way for more Labor successes in traditionally Green areas, marking a significant shift in Australian politics.
