“We certainly don’t retreat from our firm position on social justice issues,” the Queensland senator told the ABC’s RN on Friday morning.

When asked whether the Green would focus more on the environment in the Parliament, she said the two issues were connected.

(Left to right) Greens senators Penny Allman-Payne, Mehreen Faruqi, Larissa Waters, Sarah Hanson-Young and Nick McKim. Source: AAP / Joel Carrett

“Social justice issues and environmental justice issues, are completely interlinked,” she said.

As the Greens encounter calls to refocus on environmental matters, this is how their stance on Gaza might have influenced their vote and why championing social justice is not a novel strategy for the party.

Did the Greens’ stance on Gaza lose them votes?

He indicated that although Gaza wasn’t a primary element of the Greens’ election campaign, it played a role in engaging conversations with voters who might not have previously connected with the party’s platform.

Why foreign policy isn’t new territory for the Greens

Former party leader Bob Brown and then-Greens senator Kerry Nettle famously heckled George W Bush in 2003, a gesture of opposition to Australia sending 2,000 troops to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Former United States president George W Bush said he “loved free speech” in response to a heckle from Greens parliamentarians, shaking hands with senator Bob Brown before exiting the chamber. Source: AAP / Andrew Taylor

Meanwhile in 2001, Brown led criticism of then-prime minister John Howard’s refusal to allow asylum seekers rescued by the MV Tampa to land on Christmas Island.

Raue argued that under Bandt’s leadership there has been an emphasis on “inequality issues closer to home”, with less focus on foreign policy, human rights or refugee activism.

Pressure for Greens to use Senate power to refocus

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