Jordan van den Lamb,also known as “purplepingers”,is running for federal parliament with the Victorian socialists at next year’s election.
Voting to replace former state leader Samantha Ratnam in her safe upper house seat is about to begin,exposing tensions within the party.
The minority Palaszczuk government reintroduced compulsory preferential voting in 2016. David Crisafulli has vowed to once again make it optional.
The Middle East has become new and ugly territory for Australian politics,but the engaged minority’s focus is no guide to how it will play out for the disengaged majority at the ballot box.
Labor is threatening the Greens with a social media offensive in marginal seats that paints MPs as puppets of disgraced CFMEU boss John Setka unless its bill is passed.
Leader Adam Bandt pledged a “huge,people-powered campaign” in seats where the party hopes its pro-Palestine stance will get it over the line.
The Coalition has refused to vote in favour until the bill includes a ban on political donations,while the Greens say the legislation could override the court process.
The Albanese government risks a backlash from some of its own backbenchers if it does not put a total ban on gambling advertising,instead of a proposed partial ban.
The Greens’ Max Chandler-Mather is already ramping up pressure on Labor’s new housing minister,Clare O’Neil,just days after she was given the role.
Social media posts by taxpayer-funded staffers also reveal support for “armed resistance”,offering a glimpse into the connection between the party and the wave of demonstrations since October 7.
The exclusive findings highlight public support for politicians to speak out against the party line when they feel strongly on big issues.