Shock as Larissa Waters unexpectedly resigns as Greens party leader

The federal leader of the Greens has announced she will step down from the role amid a health battle with kidney disease.

Larissa Waters announced about 7.30pm on Monday night that she would leave the role but remain as a Queensland senator for the party.

She has been at the helm for a little over a year since taking the reins from former leader Adam Bandt.

Bandt was ousted from politics after losing his seat of Melbourne at the May 2025 federal election to Labor’s Sarah Witty.

Daily Mail understands David Shoebridge is the likely frontrunner for the position. 

Taking to X on Monday night, Waters said she needed to focus on her health.

‘I’m stepping down as Leader of the Australian Greens. I’ve been managing kidney disease for some time but recently it’s taken a downturn,’ Waters said.

‘My prognosis is good, but doctors are clear that recovery needs a slower pace than leading a party allows.’

She said it has been a difficult decision to step back from the leadership. 

‘But for the good of our movement I need to let someone else lead the Greens to success at the next election. 

‘I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved together, and I’ll be back as soon as I can be as one of your two Senators for Queensland.’

Its understood Waters will go on a period of medical leave.  

The 49-year-old, who was born in Winnpeg, Canada, said she would ‘cheer on’ the new leader of the Greens.

‘The challenges ahead are big. Labor, the Liberals and One Nation are captured by corporate interests, and their outsized influence on our politics threatens our communities and our planet.

‘Our movement knows what needs to happen: no new coal and gas, a phase-out of gas exports, private profit out of care, and our essential services back in public hands. Privatisation has failed. Politicians should work for people, not mega-corporations.

‘We can have a safe climate and everything we need to live a good life. That’s what every door knocked and every booth staffed is for. When our party room elects a new leader, I’ll be cheering them on every step of the way.’

In a statement, the Greens lauded her efforts to secure an overhaul of Australia’s environmental laws to reform native logging and land clearing as well as push back on fast-tracking coal and gas projects.

The party also helped Labor ram revamped gun laws through the Senate in the wake of the Bondi attack.

More recently, Senator Waters’ party has pushed back hard on reforms aimed at drastically cutting NDIS spending, which has delayed the bill’s passage for months in order to extend an inquiry into the sweeping changes.

The outgoing leader has been a senator since 2011, save for a 14-month period where she was forced to resign because she held Canadian citizenship.

‘When I’m back, I’ll keep fighting for Queensland, for women, nature and the climate,’ Waters said.

‘Thank you to my colleagues, my medical team, and to all of you. Look after each other. The best is still ahead.’