The Australian Greens are set to choose a new leader following the resignation of Larissa Waters, who stepped down due to health issues related to kidney disease. Waters, who had been party leader since May 2025, made the announcement shortly before a scheduled party retreat in Sydney, where the leadership contest is expected to be resolved by midweek.
Senators Sarah Hanson-Young and Mehreen Faruqi have both signaled their intention to run for the leadership, marking the Greens’ first-ever contested leadership ballot. Hanson-Young, the party’s longest-serving senator and manager of business in the Senate, is viewed as a moderate and skilled negotiator known for her focus on environmental issues and community engagement. Faruqi, the current deputy leader from New South Wales, represents the party’s hard-left faction and is noted for her outspoken pro-Palestinian advocacy and frequent participation in protests, including opposition to certain Australian governmental responses related to Israel. Faruqi’s political approach has drawn criticism for controversial remarks regarding the Israeli government and responses to antisemitism in Australia, including comments following the October 7 Hamas attack and subsequent lighting of the Australian parliament in Israel’s colors.
The leadership race emerges against a challenging political backdrop for the Greens. The party has experienced setbacks in recent elections, losing three House of Representatives seats and struggling to increase its primary vote, which remains between 10 and 12 percent. Former MP Max Chandler-Mather, who lost his seat last year and now leads the Greens Institute think tank, has called for a more democratic selection process involving the party’s broader membership, arguing this could invigorate the party and help it replicate the success seen by other left-wing leaders internationally. However, the leadership vote will likely be decided by the party room’s 11 members, with all leadership roles declared vacant at the retreat.
Several other Greens figures, including Victoria’s Steph Hodgins-May and NSW Senator David Shoebridge, have indicated they may consider leadership or other senior roles, although Shoebridge has refrained from confirming any leadership ambitions. Discussions around potential running mates have also been reported, with Faruqi expressing intentions to run alongside Tasmanian Senator Nick McKim as her deputy.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged Waters’ resignation, praising her constructive engagement with his government while extending personal well wishes amid her health challenges. He noted the pressures inherent in leading a minor party with extensive travel and workload demands.
The Greens face a pivotal moment as they seek new leadership strategies to counter the rising influence of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, which has surpassed the Greens as the third major force in federal politics. Both Hanson-Young and Faruqi have vowed to challenge major parties and hard-right rhetoric, focusing on themes of social justice, climate action, and economic inequality. The outcome of this leadership contest will likely shape the Greens’ direction and political positioning leading into the next election cycle.