New Greens Leader David Shoebridge Says Party Aims to 'Replace Labor'

David Shoebridge has been elected the new federal leader of the Australian Greens, declaring in his first remarks after the vote that the party is aiming to "replace Labor."

Shoebridge, a senator from New South Wales and a former upper house state MP, won the leadership role ahead of fellow contenders Mehreen Faruqi and Sarah Hanson-Young. The Greens' ten senators and its lone lower house MP met to determine the new leadership team during a pre-planned two-day retreat in Sydney.

The leadership contest followed the sudden resignation of former leader Larissa Waters on Monday, which the party said was due to ill health. Her departure prompted the Greens to move quickly to settle on new leadership during the scheduled retreat.

In his initial comments as leader, Shoebridge also criticized the government, arguing that its policies have contributed to the circumstances behind the rise of One Nation. His remarks signal an assertive early approach as he takes over the party's federal leadership.

Shoebridge's election marks a significant shift for the Greens as the party looks to define its strategy and positioning relative to the governing Labor party heading into the next phase of the parliamentary term.