Brief
Steph Hodgins‑May elected Greens deputy leader after Larissa Waters steps down
Hodgins‑May secured the deputy role with a narrow 6‑5 vote after Waters resigned over kidney disease.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Steph Hodgins‑May was elected deputy leader of the Australian Greens on October 3, 2026, after party leader Larissa Waters announced her resignation because of worsening kidney disease, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
What happened
While walking on Phillip Island over the weekend, Hodgins‑May received a call informing her that Waters was stepping down, triggering a leadership spill. The Greens held a secret ballot among their ten senators the following week. In a 6‑5 vote, Hodgins‑May defeated newly appointed Tasmanian senator Vanessa Bleyer to become deputy leader.
What the report adds
The article notes that the ballot took place in a Sydney skyscraper described as “very different to the image one conjures when they hear the words ‘Greens party room retreat’”, with fluorescent lighting and a lack of the usual cucumber‑slice décor. Party insiders, speaking anonymously, said Hodgins‑May was “universally liked” and would help calm any unrest after a competitive contest in which former deputy Mehreen Faruqi expressed disappointment.
What was said
During her acceptance remarks, Hodgins‑May told the room, “I understand I’m pretty new to this parliamentary job. I’m not a polished politician. That’s the reason I should be doing this.” The article also records her quick‑fire description of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as “Disappointment”.
How it came about
Hodgins‑May, a senator for less than three years, rose quickly through the Greens ranks. Her background includes a family with a history of public service: her father, Rod May, was mayor of Hepburn Shire Council and a pioneer of sustainable agriculture; her mother taught drama and media in regional Victoria. Her partner, Ogy Simic, is a refugee‑background director at the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre. The leadership change follows Waters’ resignation, which was reported by Felo News on September 28, 2026 (Greens leader Larissa Waters resigns over chronic kidney disease).
Key facts
- Steph Hodgins‑May was elected Greens deputy leader on Oct 3, 2026 (smh.com.au)
- The vote was 6‑5 against Tasmanian senator Vanessa Bleyer (smh.com.au)
- Larissa Waters resigned due to worsening kidney disease (smh.com.au)
- Hodgins‑May described herself as a new, unpolished politician (smh.com.au)
- Party insiders said Hodgins‑May was universally liked (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “Steph Hodgins-May: How the new Greens deputy leader rose to the role following a leadership spill”
