Bandt and Brown Set Out Vision for Greens Ahead of Leadership Showdown

Former Australian Greens leader Adam Bandt says the party's incoming leadership team will face mounting pressure from grassroots members to block the Albanese government from approving any new coal and gas projects "by whatever means," as the party prepares for a leadership change as early as Wednesday.

Bandt told Guardian Australia there would be no excuses for the new leader, who is likely to be elected at a two-day retreat in Sydney beginning Wednesday, to allow the Labor government to approve further fossil fuel development.

A Broader Political Challenge

Former Greens leader Bob Brown added his own perspective on the challenges facing the party, warning that the new leadership must also be capable of taking on One Nation and its leader, Pauline Hanson, reflecting concerns about the broader political landscape the Greens will need to navigate.

The comments from both Bandt and Brown come as the party works to define its direction under new leadership, balancing pressure from its base on climate and fossil fuel policy with the need to remain a credible political force against rivals across the spectrum.

The leadership contest is expected to be resolved at the Sydney retreat, with the outcome likely to shape the Greens' approach to the Albanese government's energy and climate policies going forward.