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Voters turn back on old parties after historic Northcote win: Greens

Greens Leader Richard Di Natale says the result in Northcote shows voters want a party that stands up for the community rather than big business.

The Greens Lidia Thorpe historic win after becoming the first Indigenous woman elected to Vict parliament after a swing of 13pc away from Labor in Northcote.
The Greens Lidia Thorpe historic win after becoming the first Indigenous woman elected to Vict parliament after a swing of 13pc away from Labor in Northcote. Source: AAP

Federal Greens Leader Richard Di Natale says his party's win in the Victorian state seat of Northcote shows voters have had enough of the two old parties and their ties with big business.

Greens' Lidia Thorpe become the first indigenous woman elected to the Victorian parliament following a more than 10 per cent swing against Labor in the Northcote by-election on Saturday.

"What you have got is people in Northcote who have said 'we have had enough of the two old parties, we don't like the fact they are two parties who are being bought by big business ... we support a party that stands strongly with the community'," Senator Di Natale told ABC radio on Sunday.

However, senior Labor frontbencher Andrew Leigh wished the Greens were focused on attacking conservatives rather than tearing down progressive parties like Labor.

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"So much of the Greens' energy seems to be going into the fights on the left," Dr Leigh told ABC television.

"I wish the Greens could actually focus on the main game, as Labor a serious party of government does."

Federal Resources Minister and Queensland LNP senator Matt Canavan conceded the Northcote outcome could result in the Greens picking up two Brisbane seats in the state election.

"That raises the spectre of a Greens/Labor coalition in the Queensland parliament," he told Sky News.

He said that is not something Labor premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has ruled out even though she has talked a lot about rejecting One Nation.

"That would be an absolute nightmare for Queensland. The Greens want to stop jobs all over the state," Senator Canavan said.


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