David Shoebridge has been elected leader of the Australian Greens following a parliamentary party vote, succeeding Larissa Waters who stepped down due to deteriorating health after 16 months in the role. Shoebridge, a NSW senator known for his outspoken positions on defence policy, artificial intelligence and the Middle East, defeated fellow senators Mehreen Faruqi and Sarah Hanson-Young in the ballot, securing a majority in the first round with six primary votes and winning seven to four after preferences were distributed. Victorian senator Steph Hodgins-May was elected deputy leader on a joint ticket with Shoebridge.

Waters announced her resignation earlier in the week, describing it as a difficult decision despite the Greens' strong polling performance. In his inaugural address as leader, Shoebridge launched a forceful critique of both major parties, arguing that Labor and the Coalition had failed ordinary Australians and created conditions for the rise of One Nation. He declared that the Greens are no longer interested in influencing Labor from the crossbench, but instead aim to replace the Labor Party entirely as a progressive alternative.