Greens leader Larissa Waters steps down citing worsening kidney disease
Greens leader Larissa Waters resigned from the party’s top post because her chronic kidney disease has deteriorated, though she will remain a senator.
Larissa Waters said she is resigning as Greens leader after her chronic kidney disease worsened, making the demands of party leadership unsustainable. She plans to stay on as one of Queensland’s two Greens senators and will take medical leave before returning to the Senate. A secret ballot of Greens MPs will be held later this week to elect a new leader, with names like deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi, moderate Sarah Hanson-Young, Tasmanian Senator Nick McKim and hard-left NSW Senator David Shoebridge mentioned as possible candidates.
Waters pointed to recent successes, including a partnership with Labor that secured protection for native forests and reforms to Australia’s 25-year-old environmental legislation. She lamented that her illness shortened her leadership but stressed the urgency of the Greens’ climate and social agenda. The party’s primary vote has held steady despite competition from One Nation and criticism that it has not capitalised on a broader populist-left surge seen elsewhere.
Why it matters
The Greens must quickly choose new leadership as they navigate climate policy and electoral competition in Australia.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTAll camps report Waters resigning because of worsening kidney disease, but left-leaning coverage stresses her recent policy wins and the range of potential successors, centrist coverage highlights her personal disappointment and the need for a healthy leader, while right-leaning coverage frames the change as a strategic move for the Greens’ electoral prospects.
LEFT
Resignation is presented as a health-driven setback that nevertheless underscores recent environmental victories and a diverse slate of possible successors.
CENTER
Resignation is portrayed as a sad personal development that necessitates a healthier leader for the party’s future.
RIGHT
Resignation is depicted as a necessary health decision that the party is using to position itself for better electoral chances against major parties.
The left emphasises
- recent partnership with Labor secured protection for native forests
- reforms to Australia’s 25-year-old environmental legislation
- possible successors include deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi, moderate Sarah Hanson-Young, Tasmanian Senator Nick McKim and hard-left NSW Senator David Shoebridge
The right emphasises
- the party framed the transition as essential for electoral success against major parties
- Waters will stay on as a Queensland senator once she can return
- commitment to Queensland constituents, women's safety, and climate action
In this story
