The unwieldy senate ballot paper can be a bit tricky to navigate with its many obscure political parties that may sound benign. The savvy voter knows that sinister agendas may lurk beneath the happy labels. Herewith is the information you need to shunt the nasties all the way down the preferences order where they belong.
Naturally we all have our own bias and ideas on what constitutes a good or bad offering in politics. This far-from-perfect guide is written from the point of view that environmental sustainability and social equity are of utmost importance. A healthy planet, a cohesive society that gives the unfortunate a helping hand, separation of church and state, less of an extreme wealth divide – these things we think would be nice. So, if you’re more of a “let-it-rip” economic rationalist, or a “don’t tread on me” libertarian, then this might not be the guide for you.
In this election there are six NSW Senate seats up for grabs. The likely outcome in NSW which we had at the last two federal elections is there will be 3–3 left-right split with two Labor, one Greens, two Liberals and one Nationals. But it’s possible that other minor parties may bump either the Greens or the Nats for the last spot. One Nation or Legalise Cannabis may be an outside chance of bumping the Nats.
So, if you want to vote like there’s no Planet B, below is The Echo’s 2025 election senate voting guide. Our hot tip is to make sure that you preference all the groups marked GOOD above all the ones marked BAD. The ones labeled HMMM are a bit hard to get a read on and fall somewhere in the middle.
The Echo’s guide to groups on the 2025 NSW Senate ballot
A: Labor – GOOD (needs crossbench encouragement to do better)
The lesser of two evils, if you like your politics binary.
They say: A democratic socialist party with the objective of the democratic socialisation of industry, production, distribution and exchange, to the extent necessary to eliminate exploitation and other anti-social features in these fields.
Preferences: Greens, Legalise Cannabis, Lambie, Animal Justice, Fusion
B: Unnamed on ballot (Socialist Equality Party Australia) – HMMM
Trotskyists – long live the revolution!
They say: The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) is the Australian section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, the World Party of Socialist Revolution founded by Leon Trotsky in 1938.
Preferences: Personal choice
C: Australia’s Voice – HMMM
A new party formed by Fatima Payman after she left the ALP over their weak stance on the war in Gaza. Centrist and populist, some okay policies but light on detail.
They say: Here to fight for you, not the corporations, not the lobbyists, just everyday Australians who deserve better.
Preferences: Big parties last, personal choice
D: FUSION | Planet Rescue | Whistleblower Protection | Innovation (The Fusion Party) – GOOD
A conglomeration of niche progressive parties: Science Party, Pirate Party, Secular Party, Climate Emergency Action Alliance and Climate Change Justice Party. Attempting to combine social equity and ethical conduct with a free-market and personal liberty.
They say: The Fusion Party strives for a free, fair, and innovative society for current and future generations, with meaningful work to meet the critical social and ecological challenges of our times. Fusion’s approach is to empower communities and to foster deliberative democracy across our society.
Preferences: Minor progressive parties, liberty parties, Labor, Greens
E: Family First – BAD
Right-wing Christian nutters.
They say: Promoting family, life, faith, freedom, enterprise and subsidiarity.
Preferences: Far-right
F: Pauline Hanson’s One Nation – BAD
“I don’t like it.” Standing up for racist bigots since 1996.
They say: We defend our constitution and stand up against global agendas for the individual rights and fundamental freedoms of all Australians.
Preferences: Far-right
G: Animal Justice Party – GOOD
Vegans.
They say: Core values of kindness, equality, rationality and non-violence.
Preferences: not yet specified
H: Australian Christians – BAD
More far-right-wing Christian nutters.
Preferences: Far-right groups
I: Libertarian / HEART / Gerard Rennick People First – BAD
A mish-mash of libertarians, anti-vaxxers and right-wing economic rationalists. So far-right they’ve fallen off the traditional political scale into a hard-to-define new category.
They say: Patriotic Australians who share a common vision for our country, less taxes and more freedom.
Preferences: Family First, One Nation, Aus Christians, Trumpet, Coalition
J: Legalise Cannabis Party – GOOD
Harmless hippies who like pot.
They say: Advocates for law reform, personal freedom, and the many benefits of cannabis legalisation.
Preferences: Animal Justice, Fusion, Indig Aus, Sust Aus, Greens
K: Sustainable Australia Party – Universal Basic Income – HMMM
Blaming immigration for our problems. Policies are generally socially progressive and for environmental protection.
They say: An independent community movement with science and evidence-based policies – not left- or right-wing ideology.
Preferences: Personal preference
L: Indigenous – Aboriginal Party of Australia – GOOD
For an Indigenous voice IN Parliament.
Preferences: Not yet specified
M: Trumpet of Patriots – BAD
MAGA wannabes. Clive Palmer’s strategy for keeping the mining industry poorly regulated and under-taxed.
They say: “Enough is enough! We will drain the swamp!”
Preferences: Far-right, Libertarian, Lambie
N: Liberals/Nationals – BAD
Your everyday neoliberals, capitalists and corporate sycophants.
Preferences: Christians, One Nation, Libertarian, Lambie
O: Jacqui Lambie Network – HMMM
Jacqui Lambie’s re-election campaign went national this year.
Preferences: Personal preference
P: Citizens Party – HMMM
Economic nationalists lacking social policies.
They say: Take back economic and national sovereignty!
Preferences: Personal preferences
Q: Socialist Alliance – GOOD
Let’s topple the imperial capitalist elites comrades!
They say: Anti-capitalist, activist party with branches across Australia putting people and planet before profit.
Preferences: Greens, Indig Aus, Aus Voice, Legalise Cannabis, Animal Justice, Labor
R: The Greens – GREAT!
Ecological sustainability, grassroots participatory democracy, social justice, and peace and non-violence are excellent principles which guide their policies.
They say: By voting 1 Greens and putting Labor second, you can keep Dutton out and get Labor to act.
Preferences: Indig Aus, Animal Justice, Socialist Alliance, Legalise Cannabis, Labor
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
