Greens Appoint Larissa Waters Leader After Bandt’s Federal Election Defeat

Following the Greens' loss of three lower house seats and the defeat of their leader Adam Bandt in the recent federal election, the party has appointed Larissa Waters as the new leader. Bandt, who led the party since 2020 and was the first Greens MP to win a lower house seat in 2010, lost his Melbourne seat to Labor, ending his 15-year federal parliamentary career. The party, retaining the Queensland seat of Ryan and 11 senators, remains confident in its Senate influence, holding the balance of power alongside Labor's 28 seats. The leadership contest was a three-way race among senators Larissa Waters, Mehreen Faruqi, and Sarah Hanson-Young, with Waters ultimately winning. Prior to Waters' appointment, there was consideration of a historic three-way female leadership team to reflect the party's progressive agenda. Greens members underscore the importance of unity and continued advocacy on issues like climate, social justice, and women's rights as they recover from the electoral setbacks.