New South Wales Senator David Shoebridge has announced his bid for the Greens’ new leader, joining what is described as an increasingly crowded field. He will stand on a joint ticket with Victorian Senator Steph Hodgins-May, who is proposed as his deputy.
The pair will compete against current deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi, who is running with Tasmanian Senator Nick McKim, and communications spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young. Greens sources reportedly indicate Shoebridge is a strong favourite to win.
A result is anticipated to be announced today, Wednesday, as MPs gather for a two-day party retreat. This follows Larissa Waters' resignation on Monday, citing a decline in her health since being elected leader last May, as she plans to focus on treatment for kidney disease.
Shoebridge, who entered federal parliament in 2022 after over a decade in NSW state politics, holds the Greens’ defence and foreign affairs portfolios. Hodgins-May entered parliament in May 2024, filling a casual vacancy.
The new leader will face pressure to adopt a more forceful approach, amid reported frustrations with Waters’ more moderate style and the party's perceived inability to capitalise on shifts in voter sentiment away from Labor and the Coalition. Former Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather has called for party members to vote in the leadership race.