New South Wales Senator David Shoebridge has announced his candidacy for the leadership of the Australian Greens, forming a ticket with Senator Steph Hodgins-May as his deputy. The leadership contest follows the resignation of Larissa Waters and is expected to conclude at a party retreat.
The leadership contest within the Australian Greens could signal a shift in the party's political strategy and its approach to climate action, resource management, and foreign policy, potentially impacting its ability to gain traction against Labor and One Nation.
New South Wales Senator David Shoebridge has officially entered the race to become the next leader of the Australian Greens, forming a leadership ticket with Victorian Senator Steph Hodgins-May as his proposed deputy. The announcement comes as the party gathers for a two-day retreat following the unexpected resignation of current leader Larissa Waters on Monday. Waters cited health reasons, specifically kidney disease, for her decision to step down. Shoebridge, who joined federal parliament in 2022 after over a decade in NSW state politics, is considered a frontrunner by Greens sources. He holds the party's defence and foreign affairs portfolios and is known for his active presence in parliamentary debates and on social media. Also vying for the leadership is Deputy Leader Mehreen Faruqi, who is running on a joint ticket with Tasmanian Senator Nick McKim. Communications spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young is also reportedly in the running, having previously sought the leadership. The party is under pressure to adopt a more forceful approach, with some expressing frustration over Waters' perceived moderate style and the party's perceived failure to capitalize on voter dissatisfaction with the Labor and Coalition parties. Former Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather has called for party membership to have a vote in the leadership selection.
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