Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
National

Federal election 2022: Voters explain why they shifted to Greens or 'teal' independents after voting Labor and Liberal for years

Tom Jordan is one of a huge number of voters who traditionally voted for one of the major parties, but changed tack this year. (ABC News: George Roberts)

The federal election result has shown a tectonic shift in voting, with a handful of Greens swept into the lower house and Senate, as well as some high-profile Liberal MPs losing to "teal" independents.

Parliament is shaping to look very different with so many members on the crossbenches.

So, what's driven voters towards the Greens and progressive independents?

At 27, Tom Jordan has always put Labor first, but not this year.

"I've voted for the Greens first, Labor second," the Queenslander said.

"As a unionist and a socialist, I've always voted sort of Labor on principle. So this is the first time that I didn't feel like I could do that with a good conscience, really."

He said the major issues for him were housing and healthcare, which he thinks both the ALP and Coalition have neglected.

The Griffith voter said he also used his ballot as a protest against inaction by the major parties, helping to give Greens candidate Max Chandler-Mather the edge over ALP incumbent Terri Butler, who has conceded defeat.

"I think it's the only way to really push the major parties further to the left or further to doing something about climate change," Mr Jordan said.

The recent floods and bushfires weighed heavily on Mr Jordan's mind.

He thinks they might have contributed to the shift towards the Greens in Ryan, Griffith and Brisbane.

"I think it's interesting that Brisbane has been the biggest swing to the left and swing to the Greens, because we've just gone through some pretty catastrophic weather events," he said.

"I think it's really fresh in everyone's mind; people are starting to realise that it does have something to do with climate change.

"I think people have seen how the federal government have dealt with a lot of that stuff, and realise that they haven't done a very good job."

In Sydney's affluent eastern suburbs, it's the teal independents seizing on the shift.

Ian Tresise had voted for the Liberal Party for 58 years, but said he found it difficult to relate to the current Coalition.

Mr Tresise cast his vote for independent Allegra Spender, in the eastern Sydney seat of Wentworth, where she has unseated high-profile Liberal MP and former diplomat Dave Sharma.

Mr Tresise said he could not understand the attitude toward climate policy held by some in the ranks of the outgoing government, describing Nationals senator Matt Canavan's recent comments on the nation's net-zero target as "outrageous".

It's because of this, he believes, the country is missing out on economic opportunities presented by a transition to renewable energy.

Mr Tresise said he found Ms Spender to be an "outstanding" candidate who had energised the electorate.

"I have a daughter who works in energy policy," he said.

"That's pretty compelling."

In Mackellar, on Sydney's northern beaches, Sophie Scamps became the first independent to win in the seat's 73-year history.

She unseated moderate Liberal Jason Falinksi in the process, riding the wave of an 11 per cent swing against the incumbent.

John Forbes said because Mackellar had been such a safe Liberal seat in the past, he usually felt his vote did not matter.

But when presented with the opportunity of an independent with policies he supported, he switched from blue to teal.

John Forbes said he usually felt like his vote in the safe Liberal seat of Mackellar would not have much impact. (ABC News: Heath Parkes-Hupton)

Mr Forbes credited the decision in part to the influence of his daughter, Bronte, who barracked for Ms Scamps in the family home.

"I think collectively the policies that they [independents] had ticked a lot of boxes for a lot of people and that's what made it so successful," he said.

"Bronte was really about the climate change side of things but from my side it was more about the integrity."

Anthony Albanese on what he'll do first as the new PM.
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.