Greens leader Larissa Waters will step down from her leadership position in the Australian Greens, citing health concerns.
In a message to supporters delivered on Monday evening, Waters explained that she would be taking medical leave but would remain in Parliament.
“For some time now, I’ve been quietly managing chronic kidney disease alongside doing the work I love. But recently, it’s taken a downturn, and I need to be honest with myself about not being invincible,” she said.
“My doctors have been clear: my prospects for recovery are good, but the best path forward means a slower pace of life than leading a political party allows.
“I’m really sad that illness has cut my time as leader short. But our Greens movement is too important, and I want to pass the torch to someone who is ready to take up the fight,” Waters said.
The Queensland senator took over the leadership after the 2025 federal election, when former leader Adam Bandt lost his Melbourne seat.
Waters has been a member of the Senate since 2011. In 2017, she left Parliament after it was discovered she held Canadian citizenship. Waters was one of several politicians forced to resign under Section 44 of the Australian Constitution.
Prior to entering politics, she worked as a lawyer.
Senator Waters’ colleagues are expected to meet this week to choose a new leader, with senators Mehreen Faruqi, Sarah Hanson-Young and Nick McKim among those considered potential successors.
