Full Breakdown
Steph Hodgins-May Ascends to Greens Deputy Leadership
By Drooid · · How we work
Election to Deputy Leader
In a tightly contested internal ballot, the Australian Greens elected Steph Hodgins-May as deputy leader by a six-to-five margin. The vote followed the sudden resignation of Greens leader Larissa Waters, who stepped down due to worsening kidney disease. Hodgins-May, a senator for less than three years, addressed the party room, acknowledging her limited parliamentary experience and positioning it as an asset for the role. Party insiders described her as “universally liked” and capable of stabilising the faction after a competitive leadership contest that saw former deputy Mehreen Faruqi voice disappointment.
Family Legacy and Personal Tragedy
Hodgins-May’s political engagement is framed by a multigenerational narrative. Her great-great-grandfather, William Hill, helped found the Country Party (now the Nationals), linking her lineage to early Australian party politics. Personal loss has also shaped her outlook: her mother, Vivien Hodgins, was among the 189 victims of the 2009 Samoan tsunami and earthquake. Hodgins-May recalled the harrowing moments, saying, “My mum’s friend survived, and she’s a dear friend. She said mum was just running up and down the beach, telling people to run because she’d seen that the water had receded. She spent her final moments fighting to protect people, and that’s something that I have to connect with,” — Steph Hodgins-May . She later helped fund a staircase on Lalomanu Beach’s cliff to provide a future escape route. The senator also survived the death of her father, who was killed in a road incident involving a driver later testing positive for methamphetamine.
Motivations Rooted in Climate Concern
Drawing on these experiences, Hodgins-May articulated a climate-driven purpose: “I don’t want anyone to have to go through that doubt and uncertainty. That fear of not knowing what’s happened to a loved one, and unfortunately, that is going to become more and more prevalent as we careen towards climate chaos,” — Steph Hodgins-May . She emphasized a duty to prevent families from facing the uncertainty and grief she endured, linking personal loss to broader climate-related risks. Her partner, Ogy Simic, a refugee-background director at the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre, and their two young children further inform her focus on affordable housing and environmental stewardship.
Party Dynamics and Future Outlook
New Greens leader David Shoebridge, a veteran parliamentarian, will work alongside Hodgins-May, whose campaign experience includes three lower-house election bids and a run for the Victorian parliament. The duo aims to present a unified front as the Greens navigate upcoming federal elections and seek to expand their influence within Australia’s political landscape.
