Story perspectives

David Shoebridge elected Greens federal leader, wins 7 votes

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 6:03 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Shoebridge Elected Leader

David Shoebridge was elected Greens federal leader, beating Mehreen Faruqi and Sarah Hanson-Young.
Shoebridge secured seven of eleven party-room votes.
Hodgins-May won the deputy position with six votes.
Shoebridge vowed the Greens will replace Labor and beat One Nation, blaming Labor for its rise.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers told Shoebridge to focus on worker risks from One Nation, Liberals and Nationals.

Summary

Waters Secures Amendments

Senator Larissa Waters secured environmental amendments tightening land-clearing controls and blocking fast-track coal projects.
Senator Larissa Waters helped split gun-safety measures from hate-speech laws after the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.
Senator Larissa Waters used the Greens’ Senate balance to stall NDIS reforms and trigger a parliamentary inquiry.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi won a 2024 racial discrimination case after Pauline Hanson told her to “piss off back to Pakistan”.

History

Historical Context

In the 2010 Australian federal election, the Greens secured the balance of power in a hung parliament, forcing Labor and the Coalition to negotiate. Under Bob Brown’s leadership, the party held four Senate seats and one House seat, representing 10% of the lower house vote. Today, David Shoebridge’s election as Greens leader and Larissa Waters’ legislative leverage echo that 2010 bargaining power, as they shape climate policy and challenge major parties. The precedent demonstrates how a minor party can dictate national agendas, suggesting the Greens may increasingly sway future Australian elections and policy reforms.

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Shoebridge Elected Leader

David Shoebridge was elected Greens federal leader, beating Mehreen Faruqi and Sarah Hanson-Young.
Shoebridge secured seven of eleven party-room votes.
Hodgins-May won the deputy position with six votes.
Shoebridge vowed the Greens will replace Labor and beat One Nation, blaming Labor for its rise.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers told Shoebridge to focus on worker risks from One Nation, Liberals and Nationals.

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