Australian Federal Election 2025 - The Australian Democrats (Please Like Us Again) and The Greens

Image: Reve AI

There's not much to be said about the current Australian Democrats other than in 2025 Australian election, in May, they'll be out there hoping they win a seat... any seat... 'please like us again!'

The Australian Democrats

For just over two decades, from the late seventies onward, the Australian Democrats were the third most important party in the Federal government (if you don't count the National party since they've been on that coalition ticket with the Liberals for as long as I can remember).

In fact, once I moved away from the Labor party, they were my top pick until the party slowly imploded in the early 2000's from a series of unfortunate events like leaders defecting to other parties, and a highly publicised incident of drunkenness, bullying, and abuse from a male party leader to a female colleague.

It's been two decades since then (and that guy's with the Greens now)... please like us again!

That aside, the party is still the one most aligned with my views on almost everything but in particular their stand on both nuclear weapons and power - we don't need either in this part of the world. Though, when it comes to weapons, they do concede to a 'no first use' policy so we can at least work with countries that are stockpiling nuclear weapons.

It's surprising, for how forward thinking and inclusive the Greens are, given that the Democrats were started by a former Liberal Senator. If I see them on the ticket in my electorate they will be my first pick.

The Australian Greens

Generally, The Australian Greens are my number one pick on the ballot - unless I see a Democrat. They basically have filled the void left by the Democrats, and are not that different on their position on most issues (did I mention one of their former disgraced leaders is now a member of the Greens and is still thought highly enough of that he raised the party's profile in his seat in the 2019 Federal Election).

If this election does prove to be a boom for independents and minor parties, it could well be the Greens best turnout yet for winning seats. We'll see.

It doesn't help that the Greens are mainly known for their environmental policies, and focus on renewable energy. Both issues have been taking a beating by conservative leaning voters. Climate Change in particular is starting to be labelled as 'crackpot' science just because it still gets cold in Winter, like it always does.

Just like Labor, they're keeping their campaign simple, with four major platform points (and a fifth one that we think will resonate... maybe?) :

• Dental into Medicare, see the GP for free.
• Fighting for renters, and first home buyers.
• Strong Climate and Environmental action.
• Tackle the Cost of Living.
• Oh, and... right now 1 in 3 big corporations pay no tax. We’ll tax big corporations & billionaires to fund the things we all need.

That last one doesn't usually sit well with right wing voters. Not because they don't agree with it, but because conservative millionaires, and people into investing, like money too. Especially money they can avoid paying tax on (we see your creative accounting!).

The other four seem fairly middle of the road.

I would really like to see Dental covered by Medicare as someone who never goes to the dentist because of bill shock. The only time I have been to a dentist since I left primary school, was a year or so ago, to have a broken tooth pulled - thank goodness I had private health insurance by that point to foot some of the bill.

I've never owned a house, and probably won't in my lifetime, at this point, unless I come into some kind of money windfall. I'm fortunate enough to live in a privately owned rented property that is well below the going rate for my area. If my partner and I had to move, we would definitely be impacted in a big way.

Addressing affordable housing both for renters and the homeless is a no brainer to support.

As mentioned the Greens Climate and Environmental policies can be a deal breaker for voters from all sides. Not only are the Greens a 'no' on nuclear power, they're also a 'no' on new coal and gas power stations.

While the average voter may be able to support that, a lot of the Green's environment policies will fundamentally change or phase out big industries in Australia, like coal, gas, and oil companies, and build up renewables like solar, wind, and batteries (and yes, we've all heard how batteries aren't environmentally friendly to produce but that doesn't stop you from buying a new mobile phone every second year).

Tackling the Cost of Living is a blanket policy that includes the highlighted fifth point, taxing big corporations. It's generic but when you look into the detail, there's some great ideas like universal free childcare, free public schools, and raise Centrelink payments to highlight a few. Things that can help the most disadvantaged.

The Greens have been relatively effective when they hold the balance of power so I'm hoping they may just do that again in 2025, especially because the sitting Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, categorically stated that he most certainly would not consider a coalition government with the Greens if that would get them over the line.

It would be Karma if he had to work with them to get his policies through.