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Australian Greens Spokesperson for Defence and Veterans' Affairs, Senator David Shoebridge has been elected to lead the party.
Shoebridge will lead the Australian Greens alongside new Deputy Leader Senator Steph Hodgins-May after a decision to step down by former leader Senator Larissa Waters to prioritise her recovery from kidney disease.
The new Australian Greens Party Room leadership team includes Shoebridge as leader and Hodgins-May as deputy leader alongside whip Nick McKim, Manager of Greens Business Sarah Hanson-Young as well as Party Room Chair & Deputy Whip Penny Allman-Payne.
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, Senator Shoebridge has represented workers, challenged attempts to restrict workers’ compensation, advocated for survivors of child sexual abuse and held employers accountable for unsafe workplaces.
In the Senate, Shoebridge has campaigned heavily against AUKUS nuclear submarines, AI corporations and aspects of Australia’s defence industry.
“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 one percent,” according to Senator David Shoebridge, Leader of the Australian Greens.
“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.”
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