New South Wales Senator David Shoebridge has been elected the new leader of the Australian Greens, replacing outgoing leader Larissa Waters.
Senator Shoebridge ran on a joint ticket with Queensland Senator Steph Hodgins-May, who will serve as deputy leader. He defeated colleagues Mehreen Faruqi and Sarah Hanson-Young, who had also nominated for the leadership position.
Speaking to media during a two-day Greens retreat in Sydney, Senator Shoebridge said his elevation to the leadership had been unexpected.
“If you’d asked me earlier this week whether we expected to be here, I would have said no. Our party was rock-solid behind Larissa.
“But I can’t tell you how much of a joy it is going to be over the next 18 months. There will be a lot of hard work, but what a joy it is going to be working with my colleague, Steph.
“This is a moment where, between us, we are going to share the load. We’re going to travel across the country. We’re going to deliver that sense of hope and opportunity that Australians are looking for, and we are also going to meet the climate crisis,” Senator Shoebridge said.
Senator Showbridge was first elected to the parliament in 2022 having previously served in the NSW Legislative Council from 2010 until 2022. He was on the Woollahra Municipal Council from 2004 until 2012. Prior to his political career he was a barrister with a focus on employment, discrimination and tort law.
Senator Waters announced she was stepping down from the leadership due to health reasons. The long-serving senator has been managing chronic kidney disease and will take a leave of absence from Parliament to focus on her health.
Senator Faruqi released a statement on social media following the leadership result, saying she was disappointed not to have been selected as the new leader.
“Of course, I am disappointed the party room chose another direction, and I know many others will feel the same way.
“I did not stand again for deputy leader today because, on reflection, I believe I can best play my part in that action outside the constraints of the leadership team,” Senator Faruqi said.
The New South Wales senator also said she was frustrated that the party did not have a process allowing all members to have a say in selecting the leader, and called on the new leadership team to reform the process.
Speaking to the media from a two-day retreat Greens members were attending in Sydney, Senator Shoebridge said finding himself in the leadership role was unexpected.
“I said before if you’d asked me earlier this week would we expect to be here, I would have said no. Our party was rock-solid behind Larissa.
“But I can’t tell you how much of a joy it is going to be over the next 18 months – a lot of hard work – but what a joy it is going to be working with my colleague, Steph. This is a moment where, between us, we are going to share the load. We’re going to cross the country.
“We’re going to deliver that sense of hope and opportunity that Australians are begging for and we are also going to meet the climate crisis.” Senator Shoebridge said.
Senator Waters announced she was stepping down from the leadership role due to health reasons. The long-serving senator has been struggling with chronic kidney disease and will take a leave of absence from parliament to focus on her health.
Senator Showbridge was first elected to the parliament in 2022 having previously served in the NSW Legislative Council from 2010 until 2022. He was on the Woollahra Municipal Council from 2004 until 2012. Prior to his political career he was a barrister with a focus on employment, discrimination and tort law.
Senator Farqui has released a statement on the leadership result via social media saying she was disappointed to not be selected as the new leader.
“Of course, I am disappointed the party room chose another direction, and know many others will feel the same way”.
I did not stand again for Deputy Leader today because, on reflection, I believe I can best play my part in that action outside the constraints of the leadership team.” Senator Faruqi said.
The New South Wales senator also said she was frustrated that the party did not have a process that allowed all members to have a say in the selection of the leader, and called on the new leadership team to reform the process.
