Australian Greens: Our six new MPs in their own words

this past month marked a couple of significant milestones for our six new Greens MPs: being sworn in to Parliament and delivering their first speeches. In case you missed these historic moments, we’ve rounded them up for you in the one place.

By the Australian Greens

The 2022 federal election heralded a new era – one where people use the power of their vote to fight for the change we need.

That power is not to be understated. More people than ever – almost two million, in fact – realised the Greens are the only party offering genuine transformation. And by leaning into their power, they have grown our federal party room from 10 to an unprecedented 16 and made the Greens the most powerful third force in Australian politics.

With that, it is our great pleasure to introduce you to our six new Greens MPs for the 47th Parliament.

Stephen Bates, Member for Brisbane

Stephen is a retail worker who rents in his electorate. As a young queer person, he understands the challenges many young people face with the inequality and climate crises.

Stephen holds a Bachelor of Social Science with a Major in Social and Public Policy. He holds the Australian Greens’ portfolios for Youth and LGBTIQA+.

Watch his first speech here:

Elizabeth Watson-Brown, Member for Ryan

Elizabeth is an architect, academic and small business owner with a passion for sustainable design, greening our cities and urban resilience. A long-term Ryan resident, Libby has won a number of awards for sustainable design. She is excited about driving the transition to a zero-carbon economy by a public transport revolution and creating cities that put communities and the environment first.

Libby holds the Australian Greens’ portfolios for Transport, Sustainable Cities, and Infrastructure.

Watch her first speech here:

Penny Allman-Payne, Senator for Queensland

Penny has been a state secondary school teacher and active member of the Queensland Teachers’ Union for over 25 years. After growing up in Far North Queensland, she has lived and worked right across Queensland, from Cape York and the Torres Strait to Wide Bay, Central Queensland, Redlands and Brisbane.

She is a passionate advocate for public education and a staunch unionist and activist, who has spent years organising at a grassroots level. Penny is also committed to climate justice, living in the Central Queensland resource town of Gladstone.

She holds the Australian Greens’ portfolios for Schools, Northern Australia, and Industry, Transition and Regional Development.

Watch her first speech here:

Max Chandler-Mather, Member for Griffith

A long-time renter in Woolloongabba with his partner Jo, Max previously worked for the National Tertiary Education Union. He managed Jonathan Sri’s successful council campaign, and was the state strategist for the last two Queensland state elections.  

Max has spent the past seven years helping to run and build community campaigns around everything from housing, renters rights, saving public parks, helping clean up after the floods and free food programs. He holds the Australian Greens’ portfolios for Housing and Homelessness.

Watch his first speech here:

David Shoebridge, Senator for NSW

David is a former barrister who specialised in discrimination and employment law. He served as a Greens MP in the NSW Legislative Council from 2010-2022, where he became a recognised voice for social justice and public accountability.

David lives in Sydney with his partner and two daughters. He’s an avid nature lover and founded the Greens Bushwalking Club.

David holds the Australian Greens’ portfolios for Digital Rights and IT, Justice, and Defence and Veterans’ Affairs.

Watch his first speech here:

Barbara Pocock, Senator for South Australia

Barbara grew up on a mallee farm in South Australia. She is an economist and Emeritus Professor who has spent her life fighting for the rights of working people, women and low income workers. She established and led the Centre for Work + Life at the University of South Australia until 2014, and was awarded an AM for services to industrial relations research and social justice in 2010. She has written many books and articles, worked in shearing sheds, on farms, in universities, in government and as a mother.

Barbara is passionate about action on climate change and creating a sustainable future for future generations – in a world of greater economic justice. She lives in Adelaide with her partner Ian.

Barbara holds the Australian Greens’ portfolios for Employment, Public Sector and Finance.

Watch her first speech here:

Hero image: Penny Bradfield, AUSPIC.

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