An exit poll undertaken by London-based newspaper, the Australian Times, shows the Australian Greens coming close to outpolling both the major parties ahead of this Saturday’s election.
Voting at Australia House commenced last Monday and will conclude Friday evening at 10pm. The exit poll shows the Greens’ support at 32%, with Labour on 33% and the Liberals on 34%.
The campaign in London is being spearheaded by Mat Hines, a former Greens Hobart City Councillor, now a London-based lecturer.
Mr Hines said: "This result reflects the feedback that we are getting from our volunteers, that a majority of voters are taking our voting advice leaflets and up to 1/3 are only taking Greens leaflets. We have a fantastic team of over 40 enthusiastic volunteers from across Australia, new Zealand and the UK. The London booth has been trending towards the Greens over the last few elections and this is a very positive sign of a growing shift from the old parties to the Greens.
Matt Hines continues:
"Labour’s drift to the right has outraged many of its traditional voters, many of whom are now looking to the Greens to offer urgent action to address climate change, compassionate treatment of asylum seekers and same-sex equality.
"Australian voters in London are educated, progressive-minded and globally aware. The Greens offer hope and a voice for action to such voters. The London votes may well ensure that the Greens gain the balance of power in the Senate and secure the Greens first lower house seat in a general election, in the seat of Melbourne."