A Sudden Transition
Australian Greens leader Larissa Waters has announced her resignation from the party’s top post, citing a significant decline in her health due to a pre-existing kidney condition. The announcement, made on Monday, September 28, 2026, marks a pivotal moment for the party as it navigates a challenging political landscape following the 2025 federal election, The Guardian reported.
Waters, who took over the leadership after former leader Adam Bandt lost his lower house seat in 2025, stated that while her medical prognosis is positive, the intense travel demands and pressures of the leadership role were incompatible with her recovery. She confirmed that she will take a period of medical leave before returning to the Senate to continue representing Queensland.
The Path Ahead
The party has scheduled a meeting for next week to determine the succession process. Waters expressed regret that her tenure was cut short but emphasized the necessity of having a leader in full health to guide the Greens toward the next federal election. During her time as leader, Waters focused heavily on environmental law reforms, including efforts to restrict native logging and land clearing, as well as advocating for stricter gun control laws in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack, according to 7News.
The Greens currently face internal and external pressures, with some members questioning the party’s electoral strategy as voters shift toward other political entities. The party’s presence in the lower house has been reduced to a single MP, Elizabeth Watson-Brown, making the upcoming leadership choice critical for maintaining legislative relevance.
Potential Successors
Speculation regarding the next leader has already begun. Potential candidates identified by political observers include Deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi, as well as high-profile senators Sarah Hanson-Young, David Shoebridge, and Nick McKim. Each brings a distinct legislative focus, and the party will need to decide whether to prioritize continuity with the current agenda or shift its strategic approach to regain lost electoral ground.