The Greens are pledging to get back to their “core business” under the fresh leadership of Larissa Waters.
Strong action on climate change and social justice policies will be priorities for the party after it was forced to find a new leader following the shock defeat of Adam Bandt at the federal election.
“I commit to you that as a former environmental lawyer, as a proud feminist, that I will always work for equality, and I will always work for nature and for the community and to help people,” Senator Waters said in Melbourne after her elevation to the top job on Thursday.
Environmental groups welcomed the comments after the Greens were accused of straying from their party roots and getting distracted by other progressive causes.
“We think this is a welcome sign that the Greens are getting back to core business, which is protection of climate and the environment,” the Australian Conservation Foundation climate and energy program manager Gavan McFadzean told AAP.
“In terms of their campaigns and their public work, I think it would be good for them to have a stronger focus on climate and environment this term.”
The Queensland Senator’s bid for the top job was uncontested at a party room meeting on Thursday.
NSW senator Mehreen Faruqi will remain as deputy leader.
Senator Waters promised to keep “calling out a genocide” in reference to the Israel-Palestine conflict in Gaza after the Greens were accused of being side-tracked by the war.
The minor party was also faced accusations of obstructing key policies put forward by the Albanese government to tackle a housing crisis, losing its housing spokesman who was defeated by Labor at the election on May 3.
The Greens lost three lower house seats at the election and failed to pick up any extras.
But buoyed by the party holding the balance of power in the upper house, Senator Waters issued an ultimatum to the government.
“The Labor Party have a choice,” she said.
“They can work with us and help people and protect nature, or they can choose to work with the coalition.”
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