Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Sarah Basford Canales and Benita Kolovos

Sarah Witty v Adam Bandt: how an unlikely Labor champion took down a Greens giant

Sarah Witty and Adam Bandt
Labor’s Sarah Witty has snatched the seat of Melbourne from the outgoing Greens leader Adam Bandt. Composite: Michelle Grace Hunder/AAP

Labor could hardly be considered a metaphorical David in most federal election contests. But in the progressive seat of Melbourne, where the now-beaten Greens leader Adam Bandt had reigned for 15 years, there are similarities to the oft-told biblical story.

On 28 March, when Anthony Albanese called an election date for May, Melbourne appeared on no one’s list as a battle to watch.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.