2026-09-30
Senator David Shoebridge and Senator Steph Hodgins-May have been elected to lead the Australian Greens to challenge the growing concentration of corporate power, with a plan to take on the institutions that have left working people falling behind.
Senator Shoebridge was elected Leader at today’s Party Room meeting alongside new Deputy Leader Senator Steph Hodgins-May. Today’s ballot follows Senator Larissa Waters’ decision to step down from the leadership to prioritise her recovery from kidney disease.
Both Shoebridge and Hodgins-May have been leading voices against growing corporate influence in Parliament, taking on the gas lobby, AUKUS, AI tech corporations and fossil fuel billionaires.
A lawyer, campaigner and parliamentarian known for fearlessly holding power to account, Senator Shoebridge cut his teeth in law. He represented workers, challenged attempts to restrict workers’ compensation, advocated for survivors of child sexual abuse and held employers accountable for unsafe workplaces. A powerful voice for the NSW Greens in State Parliament, fighting corruption and backroom deals, he has taken that work to the Federal Senate.
In the Senate, David has led the fight to grow popular campaigns against the hugely wasteful AUKUS nuclear subs, AI corporations and their ‘pervert glasses’, and exposed Australia’s defence industry involvement in the genocide in Palestine.
An ambitious and energetic voice for a generation locked out of politics, Steph has quickly become one of the strongest opponents of corporate greed in Parliament. Before entering the Senate in 2024 she took on the world’s biggest polluters, working with Greenpeace and Pacific Island communities.
Steph has been a fierce opponent of the cosy relationship between the Albanese government and lobbyists for Woodside, and a leading campaigner for a minimum 25% tax on gas exports.
A mum of two young kids, Steph has fought to take profit out of early childhood education and care, and build a truly universal system that delivers the high-quality, safe and affordable care that families and children deserve.
Australian Greens Party Room leadership team:
- Leader: David Shoebridge
- Deputy Leader: Steph Hodgins-May
- Whip: Nick McKim
- Manager of Greens Business: Sarah Hanson-Young
- Party Room Chair & Deputy Whip: Penny Allman-Payne
Senator David Shoebridge, Leader of the Australian Greens said:
“Now is the time to build the Greens as the home for every Australian who wants action on the climate crisis, a fair return from our resources, a secure home and income, and to not sell out our independence to the US or the 1%.
“The economy isn’t working for people. Millions of Australians can see that something is fundamentally wrong when people working full time can’t afford a home while billionaires get richer and big corporations buy off politicians.
“We want to build an Australia where your bank balance, your postcode or where you were born do not determine the life you get to live.
“Whether it’s in Parliament, Estimates, or leading the movement, the Greens will take on corporate power, defend your rights, rebuild strong public institutions and stop politicians from selling you out.
“The answer to the rise of One Nation and the far right is to give people hope, and make people’s lives better with real economic and environmental security. It is as simple as a meal before school, as clear as no new coal and gas, and as challenging as holding back the wave of US billionaire tech bros and their vampire data centres.
“Labor has proven they can’t stop One Nation because they made the conditions for them to thrive. The Greens can.
”Between us, Steph and I have taken on AUKUS, gas companies, lobbyists, billionaire AI companies, and the Labor Government.
“I want to thank my parliamentary colleagues for their support and I look forward to working with Steph as Deputy Leader and the rest of our team as we take on the challenges ahead.
“I’d also like to thank Larissa for stepping into the leadership at a challenging moment and leading our movement with courage, compassion and extraordinary generosity. She brought people together, listened deeply and never lost sight of the values that unite us. I wish her all the love and strength in the world as she focuses on her health.
“We also thank Mehreen Faruqi for her work and dedication as Deputy Leader, Mehreen is a formidable force against the far right and will continue to have a critical role in fighting for a more just Australia.
“For our supporters, members, and all those relying on the Greens to fight for you, I want you to know that we are ready to fight the billionaires, the big polluters and everyone trying to turn us against each other while they hoard wealth and power.
“The ultra-wealthy and powerful have enough people fighting for them. Our job is to fight for you.
“We are not here to manage a broken system. We are here to replace it.”
Senator Steph Hodgins-May, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens said:
“My generation has grown up seeing politicians sell out our future for corporate greed - delaying action on climate change while housing, childcare and the basic things people need to build a good life become harder and harder to afford.
“Rich corporations are screwing us over because Labor, Liberals and One Nation are letting them write the rules.
“We’re not here to reform Labor, we’re here to replace them.
“We need to give people hope that a better future is possible. We will grow our movement through bold politics and fight for everyday people by taking on the billionaires funding attacks on our democracy.
“With David, I will fight for rapid climate action, funded essential services, a fair return from the resources that belong to all of us, and a democracy where corporations cannot buy themselves a louder voice than everybody else.
“The Greens don’t accept a future designed by fossil fuel companies and billionaires. We will fight every single day to make people’s lives easier.”