The leader of the Australian Democrats, Senator Andrew Bartlett, has addressed the National Press Club.
Bartlett’s election appearance was followed eleven days later by a disastrous showing in the election. The Democrats were defending three Senate seats, all of which were lost. The Democrats polled just 2.1% in the Senate. In the House of Representatives, its vote fell 4.17% to just 1.24%.
By contrast, the Australian Greens lifted their vote to 7.7% in the Senate and won an extra 2 seats, giving the party 4 in total.
Bartlett relinquished the leadership following the election and became deputy leader to Allison. He was amongst the remaining 4 Democrats senators who lost their seats at the 2007 election, bringing to an end 30 years of Senate representation.
- Listen to Andrew Bartlett (60m)
