Senator Richard Di Natale made the surprise announcement to colleagues today, immediately spilling his position as leader and those of co-deputy leaders Adam Bandt and Larissa Waters.
"Being away for half the year from a young family has just become, for me, too difficult. And when I've got my youngest boy saying, 'I wish you weren't a politician, Dad, because we don't see you,' it's telling you something."
Senator Di Natale said he was leaving at a time when he had "never felt more supported by my party room". Former Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne embraces new Greens Leader Senator Richard Di Natale leader during a press conference in Parliament House in May 2015.Senator Di Natale, who was a GP and public health specialist before coming to Canberra, said he had been thinking about resigning since last year, but had given himself the summer break to confirm his decision.
But he said he is leaving with a sense of optimism, due to growing local and global movements on climate change.
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