The ACT Greens say they are well positioned to snatch an elusive seat at the next federal election, after the party came up empty handed at Saturday's vote despite receiving positive swings.
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Greens candidate for Canberra Tim Hollo managed a four per cent swing in his favour on Saturday, while the party pulled close to 20 per cent in the senate - a 3.56 per cent gain.
Mr Hollo had campaigned to win the redrawn seat from Labor, but said the final results should be considered a success for the Greens.
The party received double-digit swings at booths at Downer and Dickson, and were well supported at the ballot box in Lyneham and Civic.
Mr Hollo said the party would look to translate the momentum from the nationwide school strikes for climate action into votes at the next federal poll. He said the party's higher education policy and opposition to the planned $500 million War Memorial expansion also appeared to resonate in the electorate.
Greens lead senate candidate Penny Kyburz said the party was well placed to attract support from the next generation of voters.
"There were so many young people at the booths, some who even just wanted to hold the pencil [at the ballot box] to fell like they were having a say in their own future," Ms Kyburz said.
Both Mr Hollo and Ms Kyburz both ruled out a tilt at next year's ACT Assembly elections, but would consider running at the next federal election.
Dan Jervis-Bardy
Dan covers federal politics from Parliament House, with a special focus on climate policy and the NDIS. He has previously reported on ACT politics and urban affairs since joining the Canberra Times in 2018.
Dan covers federal politics from Parliament House, with a special focus on climate policy and the NDIS. He has previously reported on ACT politics and urban affairs since joining the Canberra Times in 2018.
