The Greens will continue to build on their core values despite the party’s mixed fortunes at the federal election, according to David Shoebridge.
In an interview with Central News, the Greens senator reaffirmed the party’s commitment to human rights and justice.
“We review every election, win or lose. But the housing, climate, inequality, and human rights crises that underpin our platform haven’t gone away,” he said.
“[The] election was a referendum on Peter Dutton’s hateful politics. Our vote held strong.”
The Greens lost all but one of their MPs in the May election, including leader Adam Bandt, however, increased their numbers in the Senate. Shoebridge rejected claims campaigning on Gaza damaged the party’s vote in seats with large Jewish communities.
“[You] don’t run a political lens over genocide — you oppose it, full stop,” he said.
The 53-year-old joined the Australian Greens two decades ago after being urged by a friend to stop complaining and do something.
“At the time there was a growing anti-war movement against an appalling war in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said.
“I’ve always had a love of nature and The Greens’ platform around environmental protection, and social justice really resonated with me.
Law is still, at its best, merit based. Politics isn’t always like that. You can have the best argument and still lose.
“I put my name forward for state parliament really because a colleague of mine who is a Greens MP said to me one day he was sick of me complaining about how corrupt and hopeless state politics was he didn’t want to listen to me again.
“If you really want to change things you’ve got to put your hand up and have a go.”
Shoebridge, who studied law at Sydney University, worked as a solicitor and a barrister before entering politics, and described the experience as good preparation.
“The human drama of litigation is incredibly engaging,” he added. “But what really stays with you are those moments in court where, despite all the structural inequalities, you can challenge powerful interests on something close to an even footing.
“Law is still, at its best, merit based. Politics isn’t always like that. You can have the best argument and still lose.
“I was very happy as a barrister but eventually, I decided you can’t just leave it up to the usual suspects.”
As for his own political ambitions, specifically the possibility of one day leading the Greens, David deflected.
“This is the worst question you can ask a politician,” he teased. “But I’m looking forward to building a strong, collegiate federal party room with Senator Waters at the helm. That’s my focus.
“We have so many capable and inspiring women, and it felt like the right time.”
Photo of David Shoebridge supplied.
