Former Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather has called for the next party leader to be selected by members.
The former member for Griffith, who was ousted by Labor in 2025 after a single term, took to social media to urge the party to allow “everyday people” to decide The Greens’ next federal leader.
“A core principle of grassroots democracy is that everyday people are experts in their own lives,” he wrote on social media.
“We say we want to build a movement. That we want to take on billionaires and big corporations. But if we’re serious about that it means putting real power and trust in the hands of ordinary people – and trusting they will make the right choice.”
Chandler-Mather noted that the leadership vote arrives “at a time of genuine debate and disagreement about the future strategic and political direction of the party”.
“The leader has significant influence and power over the policies and strategy of the party and yet right now that decision of who leads the party that received nearly two million votes last election, has been left to just 11 people,” he said.
By contrast, the UK Green Party permits members to vote for their parliamentary leader—a process that led to Zack Polanski winning the position despite not holding a seat in parliament.
Among those contending for the role, Senators Mehreen Faruqi and Nick McKim have announced a joint leadership ticket, while Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has confirmed her own candidacy.
According to the Australian Associated Press (AAP), Senators David Shoebridge and Steph Hodgins-May may also run on a joint ticket.
The party’s next leader will be determined during a scheduled two-day policy meeting beginning Wednesday.
Image: Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images | Max Chandler-Mather/Facebook
