The recent Queensland election has sent ripples through the Australian political landscape, with the Liberal National Party (LNP) achieving its first majority victory in almost a decade. Key losses for Labor in regional Queensland, especially in its heartland areas, and the Greens’ failure to secure several inner Brisbane seats have highlighted a starkly polarized political environment. This outcome has prompted Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather to urge the federal Labor Party to reconsider its “hostility” toward the Greens, warning that maintaining the current combative stance could risk Labor’s success in next year’s federal elections.
The Queensland election has reignited discussions about strategic alliances and political compromises as both major and minor parties evaluate their paths forward. With the Prime Minister’s stark comments about the Greens’ role in parliament, and the Greens’ criticism of Labor’s approach, the political tone for the upcoming federal election appears set for contention rather than cooperation.
The LNP’s victory in Queensland was marked by significant gains in regional areas, reclaiming seats that had traditionally been Labor strongholds in central and northern Queensland. Labor’s losses have been attributed to a range of factors, including dissatisfaction with policy priorities and perceived neglect of regional needs.
Meanwhile, the Greens had focused their campaign efforts on inner Brisbane, targeting seats they had successfully claimed in the 2022 federal election. However, election night proved challenging, with the Greens losing South Brisbane to Labor and falling short in other targeted constituencies. These results have led to questions about the Greens’ federal agenda and their capacity to expand their reach in state and national politics.
Chandler-Mather’s comments underscore the Greens’ frustration with Labor’s approach. “The frustration is that Labor spends so much of their time and resources attacking us,” he stated, adding that a more cooperative stance might have led to a minority government with the Greens in a pivotal role. He argued that by expending resources on countering the Greens, Labor may have left itself vulnerable to LNP advances.
In the lead-up to the election, Labor shifted its focus to urban Brisbane, reallocating resources to shore up support in the city as polling suggested the LNP was gaining ground. In addition, under Premier Steven Miles, the Queensland government made notable policy pivots that aligned with several of the Greens’ stances. These included more affordable public transport fares, increased mining royalties, and the introduction of free school lunches—policies that proved popular in Brisbane.
Chandler-Mather credits this strategic pivot as a key factor in Labor’s success in retaining some urban seats, arguing that it reflects the popularity of the Greens’ policy platform. “The only reason that Labor was able to recover so much of their vote in Brisbane is they adopted so much of the Greens’ policy platform,” Chandler-Mather said. He stressed that a failure by federal Labor to embrace a similar level of cooperation could yield further losses in critical areas come next year’s elections.
However, Labor representatives appear hesitant to commit to a closer relationship with the Greens. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese suggested that voters expect the Greens to play a “progressive role, not a blocking role,” highlighting a perception that the Greens’ approach may be counterproductive to effective governance.
Chandler-Mather’s call for greater cooperation is part of a broader strategy to engage federal Labor on key progressive issues, particularly housing—a policy area where the Greens have frequently clashed with Labor. The Greens have consistently advocated for more affordable housing solutions and criticized Labor’s approach, often labeling it as insufficient to address the growing crisis.
The Queensland election, Chandler-Mather argues, should serve as a wake-up call for federal Labor. “The alternative to Labor losing the next federal election was for them to ‘drop … the deep hostility to the Greens [and] come work with us,’” he said. He cited the compromise on housing reached the previous year as an example of successful collaboration and called for a similar approach moving forward.
Labor insiders, however, remain skeptical of the Greens’ influence. Some within the party suggest that the Queensland election indicates potential for Labor to reclaim federal seats in Brisbane, including Griffith, Chandler-Mather’s own electorate. By emphasizing policy achievements and downplaying the Greens’ influence, Labor is positioning itself as a party that can achieve results without compromising with minor parties.
Reflecting on the election outcome, Chandler-Mather acknowledged the Greens’ need to improve their messaging, particularly in conveying the impact they have had in shifting policy debates. He noted that while the Greens had mobilized more volunteers than ever before, there remained challenges in persuading voters of the party’s ability to effect change within the broader political landscape.
“Labor might think that all of this means the Greens are going away,” he said, referring to the party’s core vote base and future target seats. He expressed confidence that the foundations remain strong and that support for the Greens in urban Brisbane and beyond continues to grow.
Other Greens leaders, such as Michael Berkman, the MP for Maiwar, echoed Chandler-Mather’s sentiments. Berkman retained his seat despite initial concerns, emphasizing that Labor’s focus on countering the Greens diverted resources that could have been used to challenge the LNP. “Steven Miles just lost government,” Berkman stated, suggesting that a different campaign focus might have altered the election outcome in Labor’s favor.
In response to the election, Prime Minister Albanese avoided any direct confrontation with the Greens, instead focusing on the need for effective governance. When asked about Labor’s victory in South Brisbane, former premier Steven Miles stated that he has always believed in achieving environmental and social objectives through governance rather than aligning with minor parties like the Greens.
This stance underlines Labor’s broader strategy of distinguishing itself from the Greens on policy execution and governance. The Prime Minister’s comments suggest that, while Labor may incorporate progressive ideas from the Greens, it will likely continue to distance itself from the party to avoid voter confusion about its policy direction.
The Queensland election has highlighted the challenges facing left-leaning parties in Australia, where ideological divisions can lead to a fragmented voter base and weaken their collective influence. With the LNP successfully capitalizing on Labor’s vulnerability in regional areas, the election served as a reminder of the difficulties inherent in maintaining voter support across diverse constituencies.
The Greens’ setbacks, particularly in Brisbane, have raised questions about their ability to expand their influence at the state level. However, the minor party’s continued presence and its ability to attract a robust volunteer base indicate that it remains a force to be reckoned with in Australian politics.
For Labor, the upcoming federal election presents a choice: to continue its current approach or to consider a more collaborative stance with the Greens. Given the mounting policy crises in housing, climate, and social welfare, some analysts suggest that cooperation could strengthen the left’s overall appeal to voters. Conversely, others argue that a distinct identity could allow Labor to retain its traditional base while mitigating the Greens’ influence.
