Larissa Waters has been elected as the new leader of the Australian Greens, becoming the first Queenslander to assume this role and the second woman to lead the party.

Waters was unanimously chosen by the party's senators during a meeting in Melbourne following the unexpected electoral defeat of former leader Adam Bandt, who lost his seat in the House of Representatives during the federal election held on May 3.

In her initial comments as leader, Waters expressed a desire for a more constructive parliament, advocating for a political climate that prioritizes the pressing needs of Australians.

She emphasized the importance of addressing the housing crisis, climate change, and social justice issues, reiterating the party’s commitment to firm, yet constructive, engagement with the Albanese government.

Waters stated, 'Now is the time for a progressive parliament that gets outcomes for people'.

The selection of the new leadership team included Mehreen Faruqi as deputy leader, who campaigned on a strong platform of continuing the Greens' focus on climate action and social justice initiatives.

This leadership change comes amidst a backdrop of significant electoral losses for the Greens in the House of Representatives, with the party's representation diminishing from four seats to just one, although it maintained all eleven seats in the Senate, giving it a key role in legislative negotiations.

Amidst these challenges, Waters has set ambitious goals for her tenure, calling for bold reforms in areas such as dental care and childcare to be included in the operational agenda of the government.

She acknowledged the previous criticism the Greens faced regarding their parliamentary tactics but remained resolute in the belief that their past actions in opposition to government proposals regarding housing could be justified by successful negotiations resulting in increased funding for social housing.

On the contentious issue of the Gaza conflict, Waters affirmed the Greens' established position, calling for Australian governmental action to promote peace and end arms trading with Israel.

This aligns with the broader party platform, which includes a commitment to human rights and environmental sustainability.

Waters, a trained environmental lawyer, has previously been recognized for her advocacy on women’s health issues and social inequality.

Her historical achievement of breastfeeding in Parliament in 2016 marked a significant milestone for women's representation in Australian politics.

The new leadership is anticipated to propel the Greens into another significant phase of advocacy, particularly in light of the party's balanced power in the Senate, which offers strategic leverage in influencing government policy while maintaining their core values of environmental stewardship and social justice.