Politics With Michelle Grattan: Sarah Hanson-Young On Why Progressives Need To 'Take On' One Nation

(MENAFN- The Conversation)

First elected to parliament in 2007 at the age of 25, Sarah Hanson-Young is now the Greens' longest serving federal politician.

Asked to compare this current term to the Albanese government's first three years in power, Hanson-Young said the Greens had been busier negotiating with the government. She said new Greens' leader Larissa Waters' philosophy was to“get stuff done”.

In the current Senate, the government is forced to deal with either the Coalition or the Greens to get legislation through. But when the government recently passed its gambling and National Disability Insurance Scheme reforms, they chose the Coalition over the Greens, much to the minor party's frustration.

To discuss the Greens' view of how they're travelling halfway through this term, Hanson-Young – currently the party's arts, communications, environment and water spokesperson – joined The Conversation's politics podcast.

On gambling reform

Hanson-Young said vested interests had won out on gambling reform for now, but the push for greater reform will only get stronger due to public pressure – especially hearing the stories of“regular Australians who are hurting and have suffered” because of gambling addictions.

On voter disillusionment

Hanson-Young said Australia was politically“fracturing all over the place”, forcing all politicians to work harder to engaged with voters.

On One Nation's rise

Hanson-Young argued One Nation – which has risen in popularity to challenge to both the Coalition and Labor in the polls – is more than just a threat to the major parties.

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