Larissa Waters Resigns Australian Greens Leadership Over Health

Larissa Waters resigned as leader of the Australian Greens on September 28, 2026, citing a downturn in her health. In a public statement, Waters revealed she has been managing chronic kidney disease and must adopt a slower pace of life to recover. While she is taking medical leave, she intends to return to the Senate as a representative for Queensland.

During her 15-month tenure, Waters secured a deal with the Labor Party to protect native forests and reform environmental laws. Her departure comes during a period of party instability marked by the defection of Senator Dorinda Cox to Labor and the loss of key lower house seats.

The Australian Greens will hold a secret ballot of its MPs this week to elect a new leader. Potential contenders include deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi, Sarah Hanson-Young, Nick McKim, and David Shoebridge, with Steph Hodgins-May and Penny Allman-Payne also cited as internal possibilities.