Could Adam Bandt’s departure spell better things for the City of Melbourne?

Politics is often referred to as a “numbers game”, and when it comes to elections, it’s all governments care about.

After 15 years, Greens leader Adam Bandt is no longer Melbourne’s federal MP after succumbing to Labor’s red wave that swept across the country during the May 3 election.

He makes way for Labor newcomer, foster parent and CEO of the Nappy Collective Sarah Witty, who told CBD News in February that Mr Bandt had been in seat for so long and “really done nothing”.

While this is the usual rhetoric one expects between candidates during an election campaign, it’s not an entirely fair reflection on what’s been a commendable stretch of service from Mr Bandt.

In conceding defeat on May 8, he pointed to Melbourne recording the highest votes in favour during the same sex marriage plebiscite and the Voice to Parliament referendum, as well as putting a price on pollution and getting dental into Medicare for kids as being among his proudest achievements.

Mr Bandt proved to be a very caring and passionate local member and when not in Canberra, he could often be found at community group meetings listening to the concerns of locals right across the electorate.

But if there’s any truth to Ms Witty’s assessment of Mr Bandt’s time as the Member for Melbourne, it’s perhaps that not having a local representative from a major party can often lead to less outcomes.

That’s because politics is, indeed, largely a numbers game. And when it comes to the electorate of Melbourne, the major parties have all but abandoned it ever since Mr Bandt first claimed victory in 2010.

Having become an increasingly entrenched safe Greens seat, Melbourne has morphed into a “protest” seat of sorts in the House of Representatives, and voters in this election were clearly tired of this often-obstructive element.

While this helps “balance the power” in our democracy, many will argue it has done little in the way of turning the attention of those in the government who hold the power to the needs of Melbourne.

Without overlooking Mr Bandt’s efforts, many will now be hoping that with a sitting government MP in the chair, Labor will start to throw more money and resources into retaining it for years to come.

This will be welcome news to the City of Melbourne, which has been caught up in the cycle of government inertia when it comes to Melbourne for many years, and this includes at a state level.

Victorian Greens MP for Melbourne Ellen Sandell will undoubtedly be sad to see Mr Bandt go, but there is now a real opportunity for her to work constructively as a conduit between all levels of government to drive more outcomes on the ground.

Beyond major national matters such as housing and cost-of-living, there are a suite of local issues in need of some serious attention, from revitalisation of the CBD and Docklands to a range of planning and transport infrastructure projects.

As Melbourne’s new voice in Canberra, Sarah Witty now has a chance to be a practical voice for the inner-city – one with access to treasury’s coffers and real power to make a difference. Let’s hope she can make the most of her opportunity.