Politics · Australia · 2 days ago
Shoebridge and Hanson face an election test for hard-line politics
David Shoebridge has become leader of Australia’s Greens and says he wants the party to replace Labor.
The Coalition, led by Angus Taylor, has promised what it calls the biggest cut to immigration in the country’s history.
The columnist argues that hard-line politics can attract attention but may not win voters’ trust when an election arrives.
In the 2025 election, the Greens kept 12.2 per cent of the national primary vote but lost three lower house seats, including those held by former leader Adam Bandt and housing spokesman Max Chandler-Mather.
Labor won its biggest lower house majority since 1943.
The columnist says this shows how voters’ choices can change during an election campaign.
Shoebridge and the Coalition’s approach will face a major test at the next federal election, due in 2028.
Greens leader David Shoebridge and Coalition immigration policy are presented as tests of hard-line politics at the next federal election.
Shoebridge has said his aim is for the Greens to replace Labor.
Angus Taylor has promised “the biggest cut to immigration in the history of this country”.
The article argues that voters may moderate their choices during an election campaign.
In the 2025 election, the Greens’ national primary vote was 12.2 per cent, but they lost three lower house MPs.
- Who
- Greens leader David Shoebridge and Coalition figures, including Angus Taylor and Pauline Hanson.
- What
- Hard-line politics faces a test at the next federal election.
- When
- The article discusses the 2028 election and was published on October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Australia.
- Why
- The article argues that an election campaign and its scrutiny may change voters’ choices.
Greens and Coalition hard-line politics
Voters and the election process
Election strategy
Greens and Coalition hard-line politics
Shoebridge aims for the Greens to replace Labor, while the Coalition is seeking to emulate Pauline Hanson on immigration.
Voters and the election process
The article argues that voters may make more moderate choices when asked to choose a government.
Evidence
Greens and Coalition hard-line politics
The Greens are presented as returning to Labor-bashing, and Taylor has promised a historic cut to immigration.
Voters and the election process
In 2025, the Greens lost three lower house MPs while Labor won its biggest lower house majority since 1943.
the biggest cut to immigration in the history of this country
Labor was struggling in the polls ahead of the federal election due in May.
Labor won its biggest lower house majority since 1943, while the Greens lost three lower house MPs.
The article discussed Shoebridge’s leadership and the election test facing hard-line politics.
The next election is presented as the test of whether the hard-line approach can survive an election campaign.
- Greens national primary vote in 2025
- 12.2 per cent
- Greens lower house MPs lost in 2025
- Three
- Labor lower house majority
- Its biggest since 1943
- Angus Taylor’s immigration pledge
- The biggest cut to immigration in the history of this country
- Next election discussed
- 2028
Sources
Related news
Greens seek stronger digital safety laws, including right to sue tech firms
Australia delays ATO credit card payment ban until June 2027
Greens seek to block US execution livestream from being viewed in Australia
Big tech donations and lobbying face scrutiny amid Australia datacentre boom
Family seeks cancer-law change after former NSW detective dies
Rapid bus routes to Sydney’s new airport delayed as investment decision waits
NSW plans new lobbying rules covering local councils
Labor and Angus Taylor face political challenges before the summer break
NSW police fire investigators lack firefighters’ cancer safeguards
Poll finds voters mainly blame Labor for Australia’s cost-of-living pressures
Australia marks 25 years of military service in Afghanistan
