Greens Leadership in Flux: Contenders Vie for Top Spot
The Greens are set to choose a new leader following Larissa Waters' sudden resignation due to health reasons. The party faces pressure to take a direct stance against the surging One Nation party.
The Greens are set to choose a new leader today, following the sudden resignation of Larissa Waters due to health reasons. Waters took on the job just over a year ago, and her departure leaves the party searching for a new figurehead.
"Whoever is chosen next will face more pressure to take the leadership and run with it," according to Greens sources. The party is expected to take a more direct stance against the surging One Nation party.
Potential Contenders
Several senators are considered likely contenders for the leadership, including Sarah Hanson-Young, Mehreen Faruqi, and David Shoebridge. The small party room of just 11 members means personal relationships can heavily influence the outcome.
Senator Hanson-Young, from South Australia, confirmed she would stand for the leadership, stating the party is at a "defining moment".
"People deserve better than the failed policies and weak excuses from the Labor and Liberal parties and the hate peddling from Pauline Hanson's One Nation," she said. "I will fight with everything I've got."
Senator Faruqi, from NSW, also confirmed her candidacy, and will run with Senator Nick McKim as her deputy. Senator Faruqui, 63, is the current deputy leader of the Greens and has been a vocal critic of the war in Gaza.
Senators Shoebridge and Steph Hodgins-May have also signaled their leadership ambitions, stating "Labor has proven they can't stop One Nation because they made the conditions of them to thrive in. Only the Greens can."
Leadership and Legacy
Former leader Bob Brown expressed confidence in the calibre of candidates, stating he felt "very confident" in whoever is elected.
"What I can say is it now has a depth of talent for leadership. There are three or four people in there who would make excellent leaders," Mr Brown said. He also stated that the new leader would be able to "take on" One Nation's Pauline Hanson in a debate.
The victor will lead a party with 10 seats in the Senate and one lower house seat, held by Elizabeth Watson-Brown.