It has been a privilege and an honour to lead the Australian Greens in the federal parliament for the past four years, fighting every day for the values that millions of Australians care so deeply about.
But leading a political party is a tough, demanding job so after nearly a decade as a senator – half that time as leader – I have decided to step aside as parliamentary leader of the Australian Greens.
Before I became one of them, I thought that politicians who said they want to ‘spend more time with their family’ were guilty of using one of the biggest cliches in politics. As it turns out, in some cases it’s true. My boys are 9 and 11 years old and they have only ever known their dad as a busy, tired and sometimes grumpy politician. As they grow up quickly to become young men, I want to spend more time by their side than a relentless political schedule allows.
Looking back on the last decade in parliament, there are so many things I am proud of. The carbon price we negotiated in 2010 with the Gillard government, which showed what can be accomplished when political parties work together for a common goal; the much-needed royal commissions into the banking and disability sectors; and, of course, the historic vote to achieve marriage equality.
As for what comes next for the Greens, I have great confidence in the intelligence, compassion and courage of every one of my parliamentary colleagues. But the success of our party and cause has never and will never depend upon one person. Our party will succeed because we are part of a much broader community movement, a movement that is growing stronger each day.
I don’t know what comes next for me, but I intend to continue to make a positive contribution to the issues about which I have been so passionate for my entire adult life: Green politics, climate change, health, issues affecting First Nations people and tackling inequality.
So many Australians are making it clear that they want urgent climate action and as a Greens MP, I am proud to have represented them in our parliament. I will be ending my time as leader filled with optimism about the future, buoyed by the millions of young people who I marched alongside during the student climate strike in Melbourne last year.
The future of progressive politics is in the parliament and in the streets, and I am filled with confidence about the direction that each is heading.
