Larissa Waters Steps Down as Australian Greens Leader Due to Illness
Larissa Waters Steps Down as Australian Greens Leader Due to Illness
Australian Greens leader Larissa Waters has announced that she is stepping down from the party's leadership after her existing kidney disease worsened in recent months. The Queensland senator will take medical leave while focusing on her recovery.
Waters announced her decision on September 28, 2026, after informing her colleagues during a virtual partyroom meeting. She had served as Greens leader since May 2025, when she succeeded Adam Bandt.
Why Is Larissa Waters Stepping Down?
The Australian Greens said Waters has been managing a pre-existing kidney condition that has declined significantly over recent months. According to the party, the demands of leading the Greens, including additional travel, are not compatible with giving her health the priority she currently needs.
Waters said she was grateful for the opportunity to lead the party but needed to slow down while concentrating on her recovery. She also said she intends to return to her parliamentary duties when she is able.
“I'm really sad that illness means my time as leader has been cut short.”
ABC reported that Waters will take medical leave but does not intend to leave the Senate.
Larissa Waters Became Greens Leader in 2025
Waters took over as leader of the Australian Greens in May 2025 after Adam Bandt lost his Melbourne seat at the federal election.
Mehreen Faruqi became deputy leader, while Sarah Hanson-Young took on the role of manager of Greens business in the Senate.
Waters had previously served as a Queensland senator and was already a senior figure within the Greens before becoming party leader.
Greens to Decide on New Leader
The Greens partyroom will meet in the coming days to discuss the leadership transition. The party has not yet announced who will replace Waters as leader.
The leadership change comes as the Greens continue to hold a significant position in the Australian Senate, where the party has used its numbers to negotiate on several pieces of legislation.
Environmental Law Reform Among Waters' Key Issues
During her time as Greens leader, Waters highlighted the party's negotiations with the Australian government over environmental law reform as one of the significant outcomes of her leadership.
In November 2025, the Greens secured amendments to legislation concerning Australia's environmental framework. The changes included stronger controls around land clearing and provisions concerning the approval of coal and gas projects.
Other Issues During Her Leadership
The Greens also negotiated changes to firearms legislation following the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. The party supported separating gun safety measures from proposed hate-speech laws, with firearms changes later passing through Parliament.
More recently, the Greens used their position in the Senate to delay parts of proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme reforms while seeking additional parliamentary scrutiny of the changes.
- She became Australian Greens leader in May 2025.
- She is a senator representing Queensland.
- She is stepping down as Greens leader due to worsening kidney disease.
- She will take medical leave while focusing on recovery.
- She intends to return to her Senate duties.
- The Greens partyroom will discuss the leadership transition.
What Happens Next?
Larissa Waters' departure means the Australian Greens will now begin the process of selecting a new federal leader. The partyroom is expected to discuss the next steps shortly.
Waters will remain a senator and has indicated that she plans to return to parliamentary work after taking time away for medical reasons.
Source: ABC News
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