While the Greens have traditionally performed well in the Senate, they seem to be well placed to make their first inroads into the House of Representatives at a general election.
In the traditional ALP stronghold of Melbourne - a seat that's been in Labor hands for more than 100 years - the Greens have replaced the Liberals in the two- party- preferred battle.
The Greens believe the resignation of cabinet minister Lindsay Tanner will work in their favour.
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The seat of Melbourne traditionally has been a working class electorate bordered by three waterways.
The ALP's Lindsay Tanner has held the seat for 17 years, but is retiring from politics.
Mr Tanner recently declined to talk about Labor's chance of winning as too did the incoming candidate Cath Bowtell.
Greens candidate Adam Bandt has a string chance to win at the polls giving his party a seat in the House of Representatives for the first time.
“We're asking people to make history. It would be a game changer to have a green voice in the House of Representatives. It will be a David and Goliath battle but we'll give it a shot,” Adam Bandt said.
Labour holds a 4.7% majority, but at the last election the Tampa boat people issue triggered a 10 percent swing against the party,
Political Commentator Dr Andrew Scott says the new candidate Cath Bowtel lis a strong progressive trade unionist who's been involved in issues like parental leave, and will appeal to the voters.
The electorate includes a higher concentration of educated, cosmopolitan voters and fewer religious beliefs than in other Labour seats.
In the seat of Melbourne opinion was evenly divided between the two parties, but for voters it seems climate change, asylum seekers and the environment are the issues which determine who they would support
According to the Greens, they need the support of just one in ten previous labour voters to take the seat.
