Brief
Greens leader Larissa Waters resigns over chronic kidney disease
Waters quits the party’s top job, citing health, as the Greens prepare a secret ballot for a new leader.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Australian Greens leader Larissa Waters announced her resignation on September 28, 2026, citing chronic kidney disease as the reason for stepping down from the party’s top job.
In a statement, Waters said her doctors advised a slower pace of life and that she would take medical leave before returning to the Senate as one of Queensland’s two Greens senators.
The party will hold a secret ballot of its MPs this week to elect a new leader. Potential contenders mentioned include deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Senator Nick McKim, Senator David Shoebridge and newer senator Steph Hodgins‑May.
Waters, 49, took over the leadership just over 15 months ago after the Greens suffered losses in the lower house, retaining only one seat and losing influence in the Senate.
Key facts
- Greens leader Larissa Waters resigned due to chronic kidney disease (smh.com.au)
- Waters plans to take medical leave and return to the Senate as a Queensland senator (smh.com.au)
- The Greens will hold a secret ballot of MPs this week to choose a new leader (smh.com.au)
- Waters led the party for just over 15 months following electoral setbacks (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “Larissa Waters: Greens leader resigns from top job due to chronic kidney disease”
