Adam Bandt concedes defeat in seat of Melbourne as Greens leadership talks loom

The Greens leader, Adam Bandt, has conceded defeat in his electorate of Melbourne, saying he “fell just short” of holding the seat. “A short time ago I called the Labor candidate for Melbourne, Sarah Witty, to concede, to congratulate her and to wish her all the best as the next member for Melbourne,” Bandt said in a statement. “The Greens got the highest vote in Melbourne, but One Nation and Liberal preferences will get Labor over the line. View image in fullscreen Adam Bandt and wife Claudia Perkins leave the press conference in Melbourne on Thursday. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAPBandt’s statement continued with thanks to his community, saying the Greens would meet next week to discuss the new party leadership.