The Australia Desk · Story 2

As voter disillusionment grows, why aren't voters flocking to the Greens in Australia?

Despite growing dissatisfaction with mainstream politics, the Greens have not seen a surge in support matching right-wing populist parties like One Nation. Polling data shows the Greens remain at about 12 per cent of the first-preference vote, while One Nation has risen to roughly 30 per cent since the last federal election in May 2025.

This pattern defies global trends where left-wing green parties in countries like the UK have recently gained ground

Key details

• One Nation has surged to about 30 per cent of the first-preference vote since the May 2025 federal election, while the Greens have stayed at about 12 per cent.
• Among Generation Z voters, the Greens’ vote exceeds 30 per cent, and rises to more than 40 per cent among Gen Z women.
• The Greens are losing support among older Australians to Labor, teal independents, and One Nation.
• Polling analyst Kos Samaras says Gen Z is ‘absolutely different’ and skews strongly toward the Greens, especially women.
• Greens leader Larissa Waters argues the party is ready to replace Labor, saying voters will realise One Nation serves the same interests as the major parties.

Discussion angles

• Commenters argue the Greens are unfairly grouped with the major parties by media framing: ‘Loved hearing on the radio that voters are disillusioned with the major parties labor, coalition and the greens. In what fucking…
• Some say the Greens lack an immigration policy that would appeal to voters currently favouring One Nation.
• Left populism is harder to build because it runs against both financial and media establishment, requiring grassroots funding.
• Several commenters believe biased media coverage helps explain the Greens’ stagnant support.
• One comment notes Labor’s large majority should have been used to change media ownership laws, suggesting that failure contributes to the current dynamic.