New South Wales senator David Shoebridge has entered the race for the leadership of the Australian Greens, announcing on Wednesday morning that he would stand on a joint ticket with Victorian senator Steph Hodgins-Maden as his deputy.
Shoebridge is thus up against Greens deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi and communications spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young. Greens sources told Guardian Australia that Shoebridge is the clear favourite for the win, with the result expected to be announced on Wednesday.
The senators are gathering for a two-day party meeting following the sudden resignation of Larissa Waters on Monday. Waters revealed she is stepping down to focus on treating her kidney illness, following a significant deterioration in her health since being elected leader last May. She is expected to take medical leave before returning to the Senate.
Farquhar has indicated she will run on a joint ticket with Tasmanian senator Nick McKim. Hanson-Young had previously sought the party leadership, but was rejected by her colleagues.
Shoeberg entered federal parliament in 2022, after more than a decade in New South Wales state politics. In the Greens, he covers the portfolios of defence and foreign affairs. Hodgins-Maden entered parliament in May 2024, filling a temporary vacancy created by the retirement of Janet Rice.
Former Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather on Tuesday called for the party membership to have a vote in the leadership contest. Former leader Adam Bandt, Chandler-Mather and MP Stephen Jones all lost their seats at the 2025 election. One Nation replaced the Greens as the third major force in federal politics.
The former leader Bob Brown told Guardian Australia that the new leader must fight more strongly against Pauline Hanson and Anthony Albanese.
