Key facts
- The Greens' new leadership faces pressure to block Labor's approval of new fossil fuel projects.
- Former Greens leader Adam Bandt stated there is no parliamentary excuse to allow new coal and gas development.
- Larissa Waters stepped down as Greens leader due to chronic kidney disease.
- Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Deputy Leader Mehreen Faruqi are running for the leadership.
- Key climate flashpoints include Woodside's Browse gas project and gas fracking in the Beetaloo basin.
Senior figures within the Australian Greens are signaling that the party's new leadership, which could be chosen as early as today, will face significant pressure from grassroots members to prevent the Labor government from approving any new coal and gas projects. Adam Bandt, the former Greens leader and now chief executive of the Australian Conservation Foundation, stated that the new leadership has no parliamentary excuse to allow further fossil fuel development and should act "by whatever means."
Larissa Waters announced her resignation as Greens leader on Monday night, citing significant decline in her health due to chronic kidney disease. She indicated that the demands of leadership were detracting from her focus on health.
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has announced her candidacy for the leadership, while Senator David Shoebridge has not confirmed or denied his interest. The current deputy leader, Mehreen Faruqi, is running on a joint ticket with Treasury spokesperson Nick McKim as her deputy.
Bandt highlighted several critical climate issues for the next leader, including the potential approval of Woodside's Browse gas project, gas fracking in the Beetaloo basin, and the use of fracked gas for data centers. He emphasized the movement's view that there are no longer parliamentary blockers to stopping new coal and gas mines and deforestation.
Party elder Bob Brown praised Waters' leadership and advised the next leader to demonstrate an ability to secure substantial reforms from Labor, suggesting the need for a strong negotiator capable of achieving significant changes beyond incremental ones. He also expressed optimism about the Greens' potential to grow their support, comparing their role to that of progressive figures like New York mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Poll data from 2025 and 2026 indicates that the Greens' primary vote has remained relatively stable, hovering around 11-15%. Despite this, Bandt and Brown defended the party's influence, pointing to public support for initiatives like a gas export tax as evidence of a growing progressive movement.
NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson noted the challenges the party faces in cutting through media narratives, especially against well-funded interests, and stated that grassroots members expect leadership to employ both conciliatory and activist strategies.