Revealed: The 10 seats Greens believe they can win at state election

A reinvigorated Greens announced six candidates to kick off their state election campaign, aiming to address housing affordability, corporate accountability, and environmental sustainability.

Greens State MPs Michael Berkman and Amy MacMahon. Photo: Josh Woning.

After modest gains in the Brisbane City Council election, the Queensland Greens are aiming to take as many as 10 seats in the October state election, and are open to a deal with Labor to form government.

A reinvigorated Greens party announced six challenger candidates to kick off their state election campaign on Sunday, with a bold agenda aimed at addressing housing affordability, corporate accountability and environmental sustainability.

They have set their sights on South Brisbane, Maiwar, Cooper, McConnel, Greenslopes, Clayfield, Moggill, Miller, Stafford, and Bulimba – with the party confident it would see a swing in these seats following minor successes in the Brisbane City Council elections.

Incumbents Michael Berkman, Member for Maiwar and the first Greens MP elected to state parliament, and Member for South Brisbane Amy MacMahon, who returned to work this week after a horror car crash, announced the candidates at Kangaroo Point on Sunday.

“Off the back of huge swings to the Greens at the council election, we’re running to win 10 seats to transform Queensland politics in favour of everyday people and to break apart the two-party system,” Ms MacMahon said.

“The cost of food, rent, electricity, and transport have all gone up under Labor, and no one believes the LNP will actually do any better.”

Mr Berkman was asked about the party’s stance on potential deals with the LNP or Labor.

“Our priority is fighting for Queenslanders and all of the things they have been denied by the big parties, we absolutely wouldn’t support an LNP minority government,” he said.

Greens state election candidates announcement on Sunday. Picture: Toby Crockford

One of the Greens challengers is returning candidate Katinka Winston-Allom, who ran a strong campaign in 2020, gaining a 10 per cent swing for the Greens in the seat of Cooper.

Polling booth data analysis indicated a promising trend for the Greens, with the party either leading or on-par with Labor across the eight seats.

This is a similar pattern observed in the March council election, which the Greens claim signals a growing resonance of their message among voters.

Mr Berkman said the Greens would be “fighting for renters” at the October election.

“We’re going to be fighting for a freeze and cap on rent increases, and for meaningful reform that gives renters a right to remain in their homes,” he said.

“It’s time for us to tax multinational mining corporations fairly to fund affordable housing and essential services for Queenslanders.”

This week was Ms MacMahon’s first week back in the job after she was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash at Kangaroo Point on February 12.

“I’m feeling so thrilled to be back on the ground … I have come back from leave and everyday Queenslanders are still being screwed,” she said.

Ms MacMahon was asked whether Jonathan Sriranganathan, who ran as the Greens’ lord mayoral candidate in the Brisbane City Council election in March and was previously the Greens’ Councillor for The Gabba Ward, is being considered for a state election run.

“Not at this stage,” she responded.

“We’re really proud of the work Jonathan did at the council election running as our Lord Mayoral candidate and as our Greens councillor in The Gabba Ward for many years.

“Further candidates will be announced in time, we will be running candidates in every seat.”

Ms MacMahon lambasted the major parties for ignoring the housing crisis while lining the pockets of the wealthy.

“We’re out to tear up the rules of Queensland politics, and give big corporations the fright of their life,” she said.

“Labor is standing by while renters and first home buyers are getting screwed, with rents up by a massive $330 a fortnight since 2021.”

Her sentiments were echoed by Mr Berkman, who criticised Labor’s track record on environmental issues, particularly its approval of numerous coal mines.

“Since coming to power, Labor has approved 38 new coal mines. Both Labor and the LNP want to open up 15 more,” he said.

“Labor’s short term coal royalties will stop collecting any significant revenue this year, leaving Queenslanders worse off while the mining bosses profit.”

GREENS CANDIDATES

Katinka Winston-Allom (Cooper)

Katinka has deep roots in Cooper, living in Bardon with her partner. She’s been a community advocate and support work professional for over 7 years. In 2020 she came within 1,000 votes of winning Cooper for the Greens.

Holstein Wong (McConnel)

Holstein is an engineer who worked in mining in Central Queensland for years, but found big corporations, Labor and the LNP were stopping the big transitions required to fight global warming. She lives in New Farm with her young family.

Rebecca White (Greenslopes)

Rebecca has lived in Greenslopes for 20 years raising her three kids and worked as a financial educator. Rebecca was made a life member of the Coorparoo State School P & C after years of dedicated and ongoing service to her community. The family farm where she grew up is now an open-cut coal mine.

Andrew Kidd (Moggill)

Andrew is a teacher in a public high school. He holds two masters degrees and has experience working in private, VET and university environments. He’s a long-term Moggill local, living in Kenmore with his family including two daughters. Andrew has been a P & C President and regular volunteer with the Kenmore Bears.

Jaimyn Mayer (Clayfield)

Jaimyn is a young renter and tech worker who grew up in a Central Qld mining town. He is proudly queer and neurodiverse, and founded a non-profit community space for local artists and makers called Brisbane Makerspace.

Liam Flenady (Miller)

Liam is a father to a one-year-old, living in Moorooka with his partner. He has worked as a musician and an academic before becoming campaign manager for Amy MacMahon in 2020 and Max Chandler-Mather in 2022.

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