Senator David Shoebridge elected to lead the Australian Greens

Senator David Shoebridge has been elected to lead the Australian Greens with Senator Steph Hodgins-May as the deputy leader, promising to “stop One Nation” and “replace Labor”.

Senator Shoebridge was elected Leader in Party Room on Wednesday alongside new Deputy Leader Senator Steph Hodgins-May. 

The pair vowed to challenge the growing concentration of corporate power, taking on the institutions that have left working people falling behind.

Senator Shoebridge said, “We are not here to manage a broken system. We are here to replace it.”

“Now is the time to build the Greens as the home for every Australian who wants action on the climate crisis, a fair return from our resources, a secure home and income, and to not sell out our independence to the US or the 1%.”

“The economy isn’t working for people. Millions of Australians can see that something is fundamentally wrong when people working full time can’t afford a home while billionaires get richer and big corporations buy off politicians.

“We want to build an Australia where your bank balance, your postcode or where you were born do not determine the life you get to live.

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Calls for members’ vote fall flat

In taking up the role, Senator Shoebridge thanked Senator Larissa Waters for her time as leader of the Greens.

Waters announced on social media on Monday that she would be stepping back from her role to focus on her health.

“I’d also like to thank Larissa for stepping into the leadership at a challenging moment and leading our movement with courage, compassion and extraordinary generosity,” Shoebridge said.

“She brought people together, listened deeply and never lost sight of the values that unite us. I wish her all the love and strength in the world as she focuses on her health.”

“We also thank Mehreen Faruqi for her work and dedication as Deputy Leader. Mehreen is a formidable force against the far right and will continue to have a critical role in fighting for a more just Australia.”

Despite calls for a members’ vote, the leadership was ultimately decided by the parliamentary party room.

In announcing that she was stepping down as Deputy Leader, Faruqi said she was “disappointed the party room chose another direction, and know many others will feel the same way”.

“I’ve long advocated publicly that Greens leaders should be elected by members with enough time for thoughtful deliberation on who is best to grow our party. I share members’ frustration that the opposite happened this week. Without a member vote, we cannot call ourselves a grassroots party.”

“I call on the new leadership team to set a timeline for one member, one vote.

Shoebridge said at this morning’s press conference this is an ongoing conversation for members in the party and the election was “by the rules that are set by our party”.

“We will be working with members across the country to create further democratisation of the party.”

Greens vow to stop One Nation

In the Senate, Shoebridge has led the fight to grow popular campaigns against the hugely wasteful AUKUS nuclear subs, AI corporations and their ‘pervert glasses’, and exposed Australia’s defence industry involvement in the genocide in Palestine.

“Whether it’s in Parliament, Estimates, or leading the movement, the Greens will take on corporate power, defend your rights, rebuild strong public institutions and stop politicians from selling you out,” Shoebridge said.

“The answer to the rise of One Nation and the far right is to give people hope, and make people’s lives better with real economic and environmental security. It is as simple as a meal before school, as clear as no new coal and gas, and as challenging as holding back the wave of US billionaire tech bros and their vampire data centres.”

“Labor has proven they can’t stop One Nation because they made the conditions for them to thrive. The Greens can.”

The Greens leadership team includes Nick McKim as Whip, Sarah Hanson-Young as Manager of Greens Business and Penny Allman-Payne as Party Room Chair & Deputy Whip.

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