Senator David Shoebridge has been elected as the new leader of the Australian Greens, marking a significant transition for the party following a rare and high-stakes internal ballot. In a contest that underscored deep shifts within the organization, Senator Shoebridge secured the top job after defeating former deputy Mehreen Faruqi and long-serving senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
The leadership vote was triggered by the sudden resignation of Larissa Waters, who stepped down on Monday citing her struggle with chronic kidney disease. Following the 11-member party room vote in Sydney, Greens whip Nick McKim confirmed that Senator Shoebridge emerged victorious with seven votes to Senator Faruqi’s four. Steph Hodgins-May was simultaneously elected as deputy leader, narrowly defeating Vanessa Bleyer by six votes to five.
The selection process was unprecedented for a party that has traditionally relied on consensus to choose its leaders. The departure from this norm, however, has not been without tension. Following the result, Senator Faruqi expressed clear disappointment, opting not to contest the deputy leadership position. In a statement posted to social media, she argued that she could be more effective outside the constraints of the formal leadership team.
Crucially, Senator Faruqi used the moment to call for a fundamental change in how the party selects its officials, urging the new leadership to introduce a “one member, one vote” system. “Without a member vote, we cannot call ourselves a grassroots party,” she said, reflecting a broader frustration among some members regarding the party room’s closed-door decision-making process.
Senator Shoebridge, who has served as a senator for New South Wales since 2022 and brings experience as a former barrister and state parliamentarian, framed his victory as the start of a “new face” for the Greens. At a press conference on Wednesday, he articulated a combative vision for the party, positioning the Greens to “fill the vacuum” left by a Labor Party he described as shifting toward the right.
“We’re here to beat down One Nation, and we’re here to replace Labor and return hope and faith to politics,” Senator Shoebridge declared. He signaled an aggressive policy agenda targeting “corporate greed,” specifically highlighting the influence of the gas lobby, fossil fuel billionaires, artificial intelligence regulation, and the AUKUS security pact as key areas of concern.
The outgoing leader, Larissa Waters, who held the position for 16 months following the party’s 2025 election cycle, became emotional during her final address. Reflecting on her tenure, she expressed sadness that her health had forced an early exit but noted her pride in the party’s current polling.
As the sixth leader in the party’s history, Senator Shoebridge faces the challenge of uniting a party that appears divided on the process of its own governance, even as it looks to capitalize on public dissatisfaction with the two major parties.
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