OPINION: Why it's Time for model-kyosanto to Seize the Greens Leadership

^{BY JAMES JAMESONSON, CELEBRATED ANTIFASCIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF FRASER ANNING'S CONSERVATIVE NATIONAL PARTY}

TO ANY seasoned observer of Australian politics in the last few years, the likelihood of a government being re-elected is slim at best. Parties of government have gone from entering an election campaign with a towering presence in opinion polls, only to be reduced to a rump by voters at the ballot box.

That's why a party of government in freefall in the polls before an election has been called should be looking to throw in the kitchen sink to try and avoid electoral oblivion.

Enter the Greens.

With the expert hand of u/model-slater, the Greens have grown to become a political force. It did not take long for the newly-fledged party to form government as the senior party in coalition with Country Labor. It subsequently embarked on a respectable legislative effort as the new party wasted no time in seeking to leave its mark on the fabric of our nation.

The opinion polls, however, indicate that Australians are not warming to the Greens' legislative agenda.

Since forming government, the Greens have had their support fluctuate significantly, with their primary vote currently sitting at 24.6 per cent. They retain the largest vote of any party, although if an election was held today they would likely lose seats.

On the question of preferred prime minister, incumbent PM u/model-slater currently ranks third on just over 10 per cent, behind Liberal leader u/Riley8583 on 13 per cent, and The Sensible Team leader u/TheSensibleCentre on a relatively commanding 17.4 per cent.

u/model-kyosanto ranks in fourth position, just over 1 per cent less than the prime minister. However, in all previous polls, u/model-kyosanto has had a considerable lead as preferred prime minister and in one poll topped the list, while u/model-slater just managed to secure fifth spot.

With the country inching inevitably toward the next election, the question must be asked: Can u/model-slater lead the Greens to victory?

Leading a party currently floundering in the polls, and having a preferred prime minister rating lower than an independent crossbencher, it is clear that the prime minister has struggled to build an affinity with the electorate.

The polls clearly show that Australians want a centre to centre-left government, demonstrating a strong aversion to the now-crossbench Liberal party. Unfortunately for the prime minister, this does not equal support for them or the Greens political party.

The National Review has heard rumblings that some in the Greens are questioning what comes next. Heading to the ballot box seeking re-election as a party struggling to maintain a clear lead in the polls and with an unpopular prime minister is certainly not an enviable position. It is no surprise that some in the government are beginning to grow anxious.

This is why it is u/model-kyosanto's time to shine. A senior member of the government who has demonstrated, over multiple opinion polls, clear popularity in the electorate and who has the energy and enthusiasm to lead a major party to an election. Indeed, if the prime minister were to hand over the reigns, it is likely that the Greens would see a boost in their polling, which the government could then capitalise on early by calling an election.

It would also make sense from a parliamentary perspective, with the prime minister sitting in the Senate and unable to properly fend off criticism from the opposition Social Democratic Party and the crossbench. This task has fallen to u/model-kyosanto, who is better positioned to confront the force of ant-government forces in the House of Represenatives.

Time is ticking for the Greens. If the party wants a fighting chance at being re-elected, they must confront the issue of unpopularity early and head-on. If they do not act, we could very well see the Social Democrats, Sensible Team or the conservatives sweep into power at the next election. NR