David Shoebridge says ‘we’re here to replace Labor’ in first remarks after being elected new Greens leader

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https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/sep/30/david-shoebridge-greens-leadership-steph-hodgins-may-retreat-larissa-waters

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I think David will do a fantastic job 💚

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OP

Voting results, according to the ABC:

The vote came down to Shoebridge and Faruqi in the end with 7 votes to 4. Hanson-Young was eliminated in the first round of voting, only receiving two votes.

Faruqi’s response:

Mehreen Faruqi has released a statement after her failed bid for the Greens leadership.

The senator, who put her hat in the ring on a joint ticket alongside Nick McKim, said she was disappointed the party room did not back her in the ballot.

“Of course, I am disappointed the party room chose another direction, and know many others will feel the same way,” she wrote.

Prior to today’s vote, Faruqi was co-deputy leader. She did not recontest that position today.

“I did not stand for deputy leader today because, on reflection, I believe I can best play my part in that action outside the constraints of the leadership team,” she said.

Faruqi says she was also frustrated that the leadership was not elected by Greens members.

“Without a member vote, we cannot call ourselves a grassroots party. I call on the new leadership team to set a timeline for a one member, one vote.”

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Sounds bitter, hope she won’t undermine. Shoebridge is… fine and probably a better choice as the public face/chief cat herder.

Whether it should be a member vote is interesting. In theory the membership determines policy and the leader is the person elected by the caucus to help them work together/keep messaging clear.

In practice the leader has a lot of influence on what policies are put forward or pursued. Expertise in politics is useful for determining what is practicable though so…

swings and roundabouts. No firm stance from me.

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It gave me Ed Husic vibes, which is probably not a good thing in terms of the party’s public image.

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It needs to be seen as her own response, nothing to do with the party. It will of course be manipulated into ‘infighting’ etc by the media, as well as by all of the rusties looking for excuses to keep being rusty. Hopefully Mehreen leaves it at that, the greens already have their work cut out for them due to the duopoly, the media, and the voters.

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Agree. It’s going to be a tough fight. I wish Shoebridge and the Greens all success. If they can keep the messaging clear and mature and the rest of us who support them also clear in our talk with others it may be possible to increase their following.

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Their following is predicted to increase by default due to generational replacement. That’s part of the reason why Shoebridge is opening with this idea that they’ll replace Labor, even though it seems laughably stupid right now. He knows that kind of ambition and bullishness plays well with the mass of younger voters they will continue to pick up.

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God I hope so.

My partner helps The Greens a fair bit, volunteering, handing out how to vote etc man she cops some flack for it. I’d have to clap back, so i just donate a little $ and support her when she gets abused

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When I was doing some stuff last election I got some derranged remarks as I am visibly trans

I kept it civil by just saying “I hope you get dental on medicare” and disengaging lol

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Perhaps the party needs to organise tactics training for volunteers on how to handle ignorant, abusive idiots. Seriously, unless volunteers are well-prepared they could be put off from doing the work. Where I live there’s no Green candidates (so far).

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Can only hope it all works out well, and leads to significant change.

I can’t help but feel sorry for David though, it has to be one of the most difficult and heartbreaking jobs in the country.

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Sorry? I’m sure he knows the political boxing ring he’ll be dealing with. You may have seen him tonight on 7.30 (not up online yet). Sarah Ferguson already gave him a run for his money and it’s not even in parliament. As for heartbreaking, again come on, he knows where he is. He wouldn’t be there if he didn’t want to take up the challenge

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