David Shoebridge Leads Federal Greens Following Larissa Waters Resignation
Australian Greens senator David Shoebridge has secured election as the new federal leader of the party, alongside Victorian senator Steph Hodgins-May as deputy, following the resignation of former leader Larissa Waters due to chronic kidney disease. The leadership transition marks a critical juncture for the minor party as it manages cost-of-living pressures, environmental commitments, and shifting voter alignments in federal parliament.
The leadership ballot concluded in Sydney, where the 11-member party room determined the new executive team. Senator Shoebridge defeated former deputy Mehreen Faruqi and long-serving senator Sarah Hanson-Young in a three-way contest, capturing seven votes to four against Senator Faruqi after preferences. Senator Hodgins-May secured the deputy position by defeating Vanessa Bleyer six votes to five, with Jordon Steele-John also having nominated for the role.
Parliamentary Strategy and Relations with Labor
Senator Shoebridge signaled a more confrontational approach toward the Albanese government, stating that the minor party would fill the vacuum left by Labor shifting to the right. The 55-year-old New South Wales senator told reporters he was “up for a red-hot fight” against the elite 1% and corporate greed, including fossil fuel billionaires, the gas lobby, and artificial intelligence. Shoebridge enters the leadership role following a 2025 federal election outcome that saw former leader Adam Bandt and two lower house MPs lose their seats.
Labor does not command a majority in the Senate and frequently relies on crossbench support to pass legislation. Treasurer Jim Chalmers urged the new Greens leadership to direct its political focus toward the Coalition and One Nation rather than Labor, while confirming that the government would continue negotiating in good faith. Deputy leader Steph Hodgins-May stated that the party was prepared to play hardball with the government while prioritizing housing, wages, and everyday cost-of-living pressures alongside traditional environmental concerns.
Internal Debate Over Grassroots Leadership Selection
The leadership transition sparked internal debate regarding how party officials are chosen. Mehreen Faruqi expressed disappointment with the process and reiterated calls for a “one member, one vote” system, stating on social media that a grassroots party should allow its broader membership to directly elect its leaders. Senator Faruqi confirmed she would not continue in the deputy leadership role, choosing instead to contribute outside the formal leadership team.
Senator Shoebridge and Senator Hodgins-May both acknowledged the internal criticism and expressed support for democratizing future leadership selections. Shoebridge stated that the party would work collaboratively with members to establish a direct voting process before the next federal election, ensuring that subsequent leadership contests trigger an automatic membership vote.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Greens Leadership Change
Who is David Shoebridge and how long has he been in federal parliament?
David Shoebridge is a New South Wales senator and former barrister who entered federal parliament in 2022 after serving more than a decade in the New South Wales state parliament, making him the sixth federal leader in the party’s history.
Why did the previous leader, Larissa Waters, step down?
Larissa Waters resigned from the federal leadership role after revealing she needed to step aside to focus on her health while dealing with chronic kidney disease.
What were the exact voting margins in the party room ballot?
Greens whip Nick McKim announced that Senator Shoebridge defeated Senator Faruqi by seven votes to four after preferences, while Senator Hodgins-May won the deputy leadership six votes to five against Vanessa Bleyer.