‘I’m up for a red hot fight’: polarising new Greens leader David Shoebridge is taking on the top ‘1%’ – and One Nation
News Source
•Wed, 30 Sep 2026 15:00:47 GMT
📰 What Happened
David Shoebridge became leader of the Australian Greens on Wednesday. The 55-year-old NSW senator replaced Larissa Waters, who stepped down due to ill health. In an interview he said he is “up for a red hot fight”. He wants to win over angry voters. He also wants to take on the richest 1% and to counter One Nation's “politics of hate”.
🔍 The Backstory
Shoebridge entered federal parliament in 2022 after more than a decade in NSW politics. He was once a corporate lawyer and then a barrister. He is known for sharp questions in Senate hearings. Some colleagues call him effective but hard to work with. Former deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi wants party members to vote on future leaders.
🎯 Why It Matters
The Greens push issues like climate, housing and rent. Who leads them shapes what the party fights for in parliament.
David Shoebridge became leader of the Australian Greens on Wednesday. The 55-year-old NSW senator replaced Larissa Waters, who stepped down due to ill health. In an interview he said he is “up for a red hot fight”. He wants to win over angry voters. He also wants to take on the richest 1% and to counter One Nation's “politics of hate”.
Shoebridge entered federal parliament in 2022 after more than a decade in NSW politics. He was once a corporate lawyer and then a barrister. He is known for sharp questions in Senate hearings. Some colleagues call him effective but hard to work with. Former deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi wants party members to vote on future leaders.
The Greens push issues like climate, housing and rent. Who leads them shapes what the party fights for in parliament.