A disappointed but defiant Fiona Patten has said the Legalise Cannabis party’s showing at the federal election has “paved the way” for success in 2028 after narrowly coming up short in a bid to win a historic senate seat.
Almost a month after the election, Patten’s hopes of securing a voice in Canberra were finally dashed after the full distribution of preferences saw Labor grab the sixth and final seat in Victoria.
“It was close and we were in the count to the end but pipped at the post by Labor who historically won a third senate seat,” Patten said. “I’m disappointed but we gave it a good shot.
“We had the 5th highest senate vote in Victoria behind Labor, Liberal, Greens and One Nation and given our very, very modest campaign budget it was an impressive result and the best the party has done to date.”
Patten said support among voters demonstrated its progress as a political party, with its showing boding well for the next federal election in three years’ time. But she ruled herself out of running again.
“The ALP was happy to preference us at number 2 on their Victorian senate how to vote card and that indicates a real change in attitude to cannabis,” she said. “It has certainly paved a path to a senate win at the next federal election, but that won’t be me. I’m very glad – after some nudging – that I put my hand up for this campaign but it’s time for someone else take the party to the senate.”
Patten added that it was more important than ever to keep the cannabis conversation going and to “maintain our momentum”.