Traffic Light Voting
Party politics has completely failed to implement policies which will provide a future for us all.
Many of us don’t have time to research the policies of each political party, or deeply understand our preferential voting system. Vote Climate One’s Traffic Light Voting Guide makes it easy to send a powerful message to sitting MP’s. By getting more progressive independent candidates into power and relegating the major parties into minority government they will no longer be able to ignore the issues which concern us…. cost of living, housing, health, education and the natural world falling apart around us.
To follow the Traffic Light Voting Guide, vote for Greenlight candidates first, then Orange, and Red last. Watch this video to see how easily it works.
How to Vote Traffic Light Video (Federal 2025 election)
Vote Climate One is fiercely non-aligned. We are continually assessing all political parties and independent candidates on their commitment to social and ecological action.
Any candidate or party who is prepared to formally support the 3Rs and the Climate Rescue Accord are automatically ranked as outstanding Green Light candidates in our voting advice.
Traffic Light Assessments may change as election campaigns evolve. The next election is a long way off, neverthless, we have ranked both major parties with a red light. Our advice is to always preference green and orange light candidates first. The powerful example of ACT state legislative assemby having a minority Labor government shows how we can improve the performance of at least one of those red light major parties by increasing the influence of a progressive cross-bench.
Green Light
All Green Light parties and groups have responded yes to our foundational questions. Their policy statements, history, and other factors indicate that they are most likely to take action on the issues which concern most Australians. Parties in this column which have an asterisk before their party name have taken an extra step forward and have signed up for the Climate Rescue Accord and are ranked as OUTSTANDING GREEN LIGHT PARTIES
*Animal Justice Party
Australian Democrats
Australian Greens
*Australian Progressives
David Pocock (The Party)
*FUSION: Science, Pirate, Secular, Climate Emergency
Indigenous – Aboriginal Party of Australia
Legalise Cannabis Australia
Socialist Alliance Victorian Socialists
Orange Light
Orange light candidates are ranked ahead of all the red light candidates. Orange light ranking is the middle ground and is applied judiciously to nuance what is best for climate especially in regard to the two major parties.
. The opportunity for a Green Transition, sparked by the influence of a progressive cross bench holding the balance of power in a Labor minority government, is our bet bet for climate rescue.
Red Light
All Red Light political entities and their candidates are a dangerous choice and those with an asterisk before their party name are deemed to be a particually dangerous choice. If any of these micro parties or right wing independents are able to help form government, Australia will continue on a path toward severe climate disasters, contributing further to social injustice, poverty, and stress on health care systems. Our advice is that, generally, Labor is a better prospect than the Coalition especially if forced into minority government with a progressive cross-bench. Learn how to rank your red light voting preferences strategically. Supercharge the capacity of your Traffic Light Vote to influence the outcome of the 2028 Federal Election .
Australian Christians
Australian Citizens Party
Australian Federation Party Australian Labor Party *Country Liberal Party (NT)
Dai Le & Frank Carbone W.S.C. *Jacqui Lambie Network
*Katters Australian Party (KAP)
*Liberal National Party of Queensland
*Libertarian Party
*Liberal Party of Australia
*National Party of Australia
*Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
*Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party
The Great Australian Party
We give you climate action appraisals for every candidate
You make an informed choice
First, we categorise political candidates into three easy to understand groups
Green Light Candidates
Our rigorous assessment has scored green light candidates above all others on social and ecological policy. We advise you to preference them first on your ballot paper.
Orange Light Candidates
Orange candidates have some question marks over their policy, preferences, or party position. Number them after green light candidates.
Red Light Candidates
Our assessment process identified these candidates or their party affiliation as a very dangerous choice if we want action on global warming. We advise you to number these candidates last on your ballot papers.
The committment to climate action by single issue parties like Federal ICAC Now, Animal Justice Party, and Jacqui Lambie Network have been difficult to assess.
In a crucial parliamentary vote they may be vulnerable to deal making which would promise support for their single issue but at the cost of action on climate. We will continue to review their Traffic Light assessment and provide our findings in the political parties information.
How are the candidates assessed?
Questions
Our panel will assess each can each candidates against three foundational questions:
- Do you endorse a national declaration of an Ecological and Climate Emergency?
- Do you support the principle of aiming for zero emissions by 2030?
- Tackling the problems associated with an overheated planet will impact more on some sections of society than others. Do you endorse the principle of climate justice for all Australians?
In addition Independents will be asked whether they would support a Labor minority government if the federal election fails to deliver an absolute majority to either of the major parties.
There are 151 lower house seats to assess. Our panel will rely heavily on local climate groups and VOTE CLIMATE ONE volunteers to make a traffic light call on independent candidates.
Climate Score Cards
Many other groups like Vote Earth Now and the Victorian Climate Action Network are comprehensively examining climate policies and producing score cards. We will use this information to inform our traffic light allocation beyond the three questions above.
Parliamentary performance
Parties and sitting members will be assessed on their historic contribution to action on global warming in the national parliament. This record in government is particularly relevant when assessing the LNP.
Preference deals
Allocation of a candidate or party’s preference will also inform our decision. This criteria is particularly relevant to late nominations and dummy candidates.
Parliament of national unity
Traffic light decisions for the major parties will be influenced by the conviction that climate action would be better served by a minority government in the lower house of the Federal parliament. The two major parties have not earned our trust on climate action.
Got Questions?
Contact the Vote Climate One Team
(If you would prefer to speak with a human please call: 0427 580803