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The political party has a new housing spokesperson, replacing Max Chandler-Mather.
The Australian Greens have named South Australian Senator Barbara Pocock as the party’s new spokesperson for housing and homelessness.
Housing remains a key issue for the Greens and the party said the promotion recognises “significant wins in challenging areas that, like housing, require structural reforms, not just tinkering around the edges”.
In addition to housing and homelessness, Senator Pocock will take on the workplace relations, jobs, & employment portfolio.
The Greens also confirmed she would continue in her capacity as the party’s spokesperson for finance and the public sector.
Senator Pocock’s appointment fills the void created by the departure of former housing spokesperson Chandler-Mather, who lost the seat of Griffith at the 2025 federal election, and she paid tribute to her predecessor throughout the announcement.
“I am thrilled to pick up the baton from the hands of Max Chandler-Mather whose tireless work put the 31 per cent of people who rent in our country as well as those who face runaway rents and insecure housing, at the centre of our country’s politics,” Senator Pocock said.
“Housing remains a key campaign for the Greens into the 48th parliament. In Australia, the crisis for renters and those trying to purchase their first home continues to get worse and there are 37,800 people experiencing chronic homelessness across Australia, living precarious lives without safe housing.
“Lack of housing is a runaway engine driving inequality in our country and it’s a major force for intergenerational inequality across the nation.”
Housing in focus
Housing affordability – particularly for first home buyers – was one of the key areas for the Greens during the run-in to the 2025 federal election, with the party bringing a number of bold proposals to voters, including vows to scrap negative gearing and force banks to slash mortgage rates.
The election was a disappointing result for the political party, after losing three seats in the House of Representatives, including Melbourne, the electorate of the party’s former leader Adam Bandt.
However, the Greens did manage to retain their presence in the Senate, with the six senators up for re-election retaining their roles.
Senator Pocock said that she would do everything she could to advocate for first home buyers and address “the ongoing crisis that is the result of poor policies from the major parties over the past quarter century”.
“There is plenty of work to do, but we are ready and willing to take on the challenge and we know what needs to be done,” Senator Pocock said.
“We need to cap rents to enable first home buyers to get into the market while addressing the unfair tax advantages that give wealthy property investors extraordinary advantages in the housing market. We must improve the supply and development of affordable and social housing to help end homelessness and provide people with support and a safe place to live.
“Housing and homelessness will remain a key campaign and focus for the Greens as the crisis gets exponentially worse for every day that the government fails to act appropriately. We are determined to end Australia’s shameful housing and homelessness crisis. I look forward to taking on this portfolio as I continue to build on Max’s work to fix the housing crisis.”
Across the aisle
This latest appointment comes after the Liberal Party refreshed its housing team, with NSW Senator Andrew Bragg named shadow minister for housing and homelessness in May.
Meanwhile, Clare O’Neil has taken on a newly combined portfolio as minister for housing, homelessness, and cities.
[Related: New shadow treasurer and financial services minister announced]
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