Senator David Shoebridge has been elected the new leader of the Australian Greens, following a contested leadership ballot held by the party’s federal parliamentary team in Sydney on 30 September 2026.

Shoebridge secured seven votes, defeating former deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi, who received four votes after preferences. The ballot was unusual for the Greens, who have historically selected leaders through consensus rather than a formal contest.

Senator Steph Hodgins-May was elected deputy leader, securing six votes against Vanessa Bleyer’s five. The leadership changes followed Larissa Waters’ decision to step down from the role after 16 months as party leader.

Shoebridge, who has represented New South Wales in the Senate since 2022, is a former barrister and former member of the New South Wales Parliament. His election marks a new phase for the party’s federal leadership.

In his first remarks as leader, Shoebridge outlined a political agenda focused on cost-of-living pressures, climate change, corporate influence and Australia’s defence policy. He identified the gas industry, the AUKUS security partnership, artificial intelligence and fossil fuel interests as issues the party intends to scrutinise.

Shoebridge said he wanted the Greens to expand their political role and challenge the policies of the major parties. These statements set out his stated priorities as leader and do not represent a change in government policy.

The leadership ballot also prompted discussion within the party about how future leaders should be chosen. Faruqi publicly expressed disappointment with the result and called for future leadership elections to involve the broader party membership. She argued that a member-wide vote would better reflect the Greens’ grassroots structure.

Former Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather also called for a wider membership role in leadership decisions. The party’s parliamentary leadership selection process has therefore become a subject of internal debate following the ballot.

Hodgins-May, the newly elected deputy leader and a Victorian senator, has a background in environmental law and advocacy. She has emphasised climate action and economic concerns as central issues for the party.

Waters, who remains a Queensland senator, said stepping down from the leadership was difficult but expressed appreciation for her colleagues’ support. Shoebridge and Hodgins-May publicly acknowledged her contribution during her time leading the party.

The Greens’ new leadership team will now oversee the party’s work in federal parliament, including its approach to legislation, committee inquiries and negotiations with other parliamentary groups. The party has also signalled an intention to increase its engagement with members and supporters.

The leadership transition comes amid broader debate in Australian politics about the cost of living, climate policy, migration and the direction of the major parties. Shoebridge’s public statements indicate that these subjects will feature prominently in the Greens’ parliamentary agenda.

The party has not announced a timeline for introducing a membership-wide leadership election.