Australian news and politics recap: Bradfield recount likely as seat comes down to the wire

The Greens are pledging to get back to their “core business” under the fresh leadership of Larissa Waters.

Strong action on climate change and social justice policies will be priorities for the party after it was forced to find a new leader following the shock defeat of Adam Bandt at the federal election.

“I commit to you that as a former environmental lawyer, as a proud feminist, that I will always work for equality, and I will always work for nature and for the community and to help people,” Senator Waters said in Melbourne after her elevation to the top job on Thursday.

Environmental groups welcomed the comments after the Greens were accused of straying from their party roots and getting distracted by other progressive causes.

“We think this is a welcome sign that the Greens are getting back to core business, which is protection of climate and the environment,” the Australian Conservation Foundation climate and energy program manager Gavan McFadzean told AAP.

“In terms of their campaigns and their public work, I think it would be good for them to have a stronger focus on climate and environment this term.”

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Ms Ley was asked what she wanted to change after women and young Australians “abandoned” to Coalition in the 2025 Federal election, revealing the “agenda” she wants promoted.

“I worry about women and the hard work they do in balancing work, family, childcare, aged parents (and) the mortgage,” Ms Ley said.

“I met many women in those situations, and I reflected on my life through my own journey, which is not dissimilar.

“It is tough when you are doing all these things, and you are busy every single day, and you are working incredibly hard with your family, with your children, with your parents, volunteering in your community, being part of the amazing society that Australia is.

“I want to make sure that our policy agenda, that we work very hard as a team to develop, meets modern women, indeed all Australians where they are.

“What I can do in leading that team, is harness the amazing talents that every single member of my team has to promote that agenda.”

When asked about growing talk that the National Party might be opting out of the Coalition, new Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has refused to share details of a conversation she had with the party’s leader David Littleproud.

“I won’t talk about the private discussions I had with David,” Ms Ley told Sunrise.

“He travelled to meet me in Albury and I’m grateful to him for that because of my personal circumstances.

“We had productive conversations. We had a good first meeting. It certainly won’t be th last.

“I won’t talk about what we discussed.

“But I will say this, the thing that unites our party room and unites Liberals and Nationals is that we are here to work very hard for the Australian people, and that’s what drives me every single day.”