Larissa Waters will step down as leader of the Greens due to health reasons.

The senator is managing a pre-existing kidney disease that has “declined significantly” in recent months, she announced on Monday.

“While her prognosis for recovery is positive, she has made the difficult decision that the demands of leadership, including the additional travel, are not compatible with giving her health the priority it needs,” the Greens said.

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She will now take medical leave and plans to return to parliament as a senator for Queensland “as soon as she can”.

“It has been a tremendous honour to be leader of the Greens, fighting for people and the planet,” Waters said.

“I’m really sad that illness means my time as leader has been cut short, but our movement needs a leader in good health to lead us to success at the next election.

“Passing the torch on to the next leader of the party will put them in the best position to take the Greens to the next election (in 2028).

“Our fight is too important, and it needs more time and energy than I am able to give while I focus on my recovery.”

She added on X that she had been managing the kidney disease for “some time” but that “recently it’s taken a downturn”.

“Doctors are clear that recovery needs a slower pace than leading a party allows,” she said.

“When I’m back, I’ll keep fighting for Queensland, for women, nature and the climate.

“Thank you to my colleagues, my medical team, and to all of you. Look after each other. The best is still ahead.”

Waters took the party reins when former Melbourne MP Adam Bandt lost his seat at the May 2025 federal election.

The Greens highlighted her work to secure an overhaul of Australia’s environmental laws to reform native logging, tighten land clearing controls and push back on the fast-tracking of coal and gas projects.

The party said Waters had also moved quickly to push for revamped gun laws following the Bondi massacre.

A party room meeting will be held later this week to map out the “next steps” for deciding her successor.