Larissa Waters has announced she is stepping down as leader of the Australian Greens after her kidney disease recently worsened, but will remain a Queensland senator.
Senator Waters made the announcement on Monday evening, saying her doctors had advised that recovery required a slower pace than leading a political party allowed. She is expected to take medical leave.
“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,” she said in a statement posted on X.
“My prognosis is good, but doctors are clear that recovery needs a slower pace than leading a party allows.”
The 49-year-old has led the Greens for just over a year, taking over from Adam Bandt after he lost his Melbourne seat to Labor’s Sarah Witty at the May 2025 federal election.
David Shoebridge is understood to be the likely front-runner to succeed her.
Waters said relinquishing the leadership had been a difficult decision, but that another person needed to lead the party into 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,” she said.
She added that she would support the new leader, while continuing to argue against new coal and gas projects, the privatisation of essential services and corporate influence over politics.
“When our party room elects a new leader, I’ll be cheering them on every step of the way,” Waters said.
The Greens praised her work on proposed changes to Australia’s environmental laws, including reforms concerning native logging and land clearing. The party has also opposed efforts to fast-track coal and gas projects.
More recently, the Greens have resisted reforms intended to reduce spending on the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Their opposition has delayed the legislation for months while an inquiry into the proposed changes was extended.
The party also helped Labor pass revamped gun laws through the Senate following the Bondi attack.
Waters has served as a senator since 2011, apart from a 14-month period when she was forced to resign after it emerged she held Canadian citizenship.
“When I’m back, I’ll keep fighting for Queensland, for women, nature and the climate,” she said. “Thank you to my colleagues, my medical team, and to all of you. Look after each other. The best is still ahead.”
