Faruqi Remains Hopeful Greens Can Hold Melbourne, Rejects Leadership Talk

With over 15,000 absentee and declaration votes still uncounted party leaders insist Bandt still has a chance in Melbourne.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt, Senator Nick McKim and Senator Mehreen Faruqi during a press conference in the Senate Courtyard at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on May 12, 2021. Sam Mooy/Getty Images

With Adam Bandt trailing Labor’s Sarah Witty by over 4,000 votes for his once-safe seat of Melbourne, Greens Deputy Leader Mehreen Faruqi has rejected any suggestions of her stepping up to the leadership.

“Adam is still our leader. And can I say Adam is a fantastic leader, and we worked really well as a team, as leader and deputy leader, and I am hoping that he gets back in and we can continue on with that leadership team,” she told ABC Radio National on May 8 morning.