Greens Leader Larissa Waters unveils reshuffle of portfolios, prioritises women’s safety and climate action

Leader of the Australian Greens Senator Larissa Waters has announced the party’s new portfolio allocations ahead of parliament’s return in July.

The announcement comes after a major setback for the Greens at the 2025 federal election, where the party lost three of its four House of Representatives seats, including that of former leader Adam Bandt in Melbourne. Despite winning the highest primary vote in Melbourne, the Greens were overtaken by Labor after preferences from the Liberal and One Nation parties.

Ms Waters says she will make women’s safety a leadership-level issue in the next parliament, as recent data shows men’s violence against women is increasing. She will continue as Greens spokesperson for women and prioritise women’s policy across health, housing and workplace relations.

Senator Waters will also take on the climate and energy portfolio, drawing on her background as an environmental lawyer. In her legal career, Ms Waters led litigation to protect biodiversity and world heritage sites, prevent species extinctions, and broaden environmental impact assessments. Senator Steph Hodgins-May will serve as assistant Climate and Energy portfolio holder.

Following the departure of Senator Cox, Ms Waters will assume the First Nations portfolio. The Greens say they remain committed to Truth, Treaty, and Justice, and support full implementation of the Deaths in Custody and Bringing Them Home reports. Ms Waters says the party room is united in its commitment to First Nations justice and will elevate it across all portfolios.

Deputy Leader Senator Mehreen Faruqi retains all her portfolios and will represent the Greens on climate adaptation, resilience, and emergency management.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young continues as spokesperson for Environment and Water, and Arts and Communications. Senator Barbara Pocock will lead on housing and workplace relations, while Senator David Shoebridge takes on Foreign Affairs, Peace and Nuclear Disarmament.

“Women’s safety and equality will be a priority of my leadership, as will acting on the climate and environment crisis plus the housing and cost of living crises people are facing,” Ms Waters said.

“We are in an epidemic of violence against women, and yet frontline support services are still not fully funded to support everyone who seeks help. The Government could readily fix that.

“Labor’s decision to delay until after the election their approval of the dirtiest gas project in Australia’s history is proof that Labor is still on the payroll of the big gas corporations, while the Greens are the only party with a science-backed plan for a safe climate future.

“Voters across this country delivered the Greens the sole balance-of-power in the Senate and Labor now has a choice: work with the Greens for climate action and dental into Medicare, or work with the Liberals to keep opening up new coal and gas and tinker around the edges of the housing and cost of living crises.”