The rise of green power

Political commentators were almost certain that the Australian Greens would hold the balance of power in the Senate in the lead up to election day.

In NSW, Greens candidate Lee Rhiannon continued her campaign right up until the final votes were cast.

“We always knew that NSW was going to be a hard seat to win,” Ms Rhiannon said.

While the final result of the election still remains up in the air, Greens leader Bob Brown was quick to call the party’s victory. Picking up seats in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and NSW, Mr Brown declared just a day after the election that with nine senators the Greens would have the balance of power.

A balance of power in the Senate puts the Greens in a stronger position to negotiate their policies and exert political power in the next term of government.

Ms Rhiannon said she was confident the Greens could meet its campaign targets.

“The Greens have been around for 18 years and in that time we have been able to earn the respect of voters,” she said.

Ms Rhiannon said the Greens will continue to hold a strong position on expanding public transport services, investment in public education, targeting climate change and seeking further electoral reform in the coming years.

Having been a member of NSW parliament for 10 years, Ms Rhiannon has led the charge in reforming policies such as political donations and freedom of information legislation.

She said the shift from State to Federal politics will be challenging, but her approach to politics will be quite similar. Ms Rhiannon said the Greens share common values across all of the states.

“We’re a confederation of parties that have different histories and constitutions, but we all work together to meet the core values of the Greens. Electoral reform is a main focus of the Greens and will remain that way,” she said.

While many people are speculating about succession in the Greens, – with many people expecting Bob Brown to hand over the role of leader – Ms Rhiannon has publicly denied that she is looking to lead the party.

“I ruled it out when it was first put to me,” she said.

Ms Rhiannon said she believes the Greens will be able to act constructively with other parties without compromising their principles.