Push to allow party members a vote for Greens leader

The Australian Greens are being pressured to allow all party members to vote on who should become the next leader of the party. This move is intended to enhance electoral success. Queensland Senator Larissa Waters announced her resignation from the leadership due to worsening kidney disease. Members are expected to select a new leader during a two-day policy meeting in Sydney, which begins on Wednesday.

Sarah Hanson-Young from South Australia, Mehreen Faruqi as deputy leader, and Tasmanian Senator Nick McKim have all stated their intentions to run for the leadership.

The far-right party has grown in influence, and the Greens see themselves as the right people to resist and expand their movement alongside colleagues, members, and supporters, they posted on Instagram. Their statement emphasized hope over hate and people over profit. Other senators, including David Shoebridge and Steph Hodgins-May, may also seek leadership positions.

Former Green MP Max Chandler-Mather believes that all party members, not just those in parliament, should decide the leadership. He argues that opening up the election to a full member vote would provide a more popular mandate and build a movement that can achieve real, lasting change.

The Greens suffered significant losses in the 2025 election, including the loss of former leader Adam Bandt's seat in Melbourne. Chandler-Mather believes that a popular vote for leadership could help replicate the success of democratic socialists like New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani or UK Greens leader Zack Polanski in Australia. Former Senator Andrew Bartlett cautioned that the focus on leadership may distract from the party's actual success, which lies in their messaging.

He pointed out that individuals like David Shoebridge, Barbara Pocock, and Jordan Steele-John have already made significant impacts for the party. Despite the intense focus on leadership, Greens founder Bob Brown expressed optimism about the future, stating that the party currently holds 14% in the polls, which is unprecedented.

Brown mentioned that there are three or four experienced candidates who could challenge the major parties. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wished Senator Waters well and acknowledged her constructive engagement during her tenure.