Richard Di Natale new Greens leader

UPDATE: Victorian Senator Richard Di Natale has been elected Federal Greens leader following the shock resignation of Christine Milne today.

West Australian Senator Scott Ludlam has been elected co-deputy leader with Queenslander Larissa Waters.

Earlier today Senator Milne said she was resigning because she would not re-contest Senate seat at the next election due in 2016. The Tasmanian Greens is about to open pre-selection for the Senate ticket.

“It is with a mix of optimism, pride, excitement and sadness that I am resigning the leadership and leaving the Senate,” Senator Milne said in a statement.

“I have achieved what I set out to achieve when I took over the leadership. The Greens have gone from strength to strength with solid election results and a growing, engaged party membership.

“I promised a more cabinet-style, collaborative approach to leadership. I am so proud of the way my colleagues have responded. We are a strong, capable, visionary Greens team.

“We have stood strongly for a safe climate and an end to wealth inequality. We have stood with the community against the cruelty of the Abbott Government, with their first budget resoundingly rejected by the people, and the Senate.

“My decision to resign today is one I made with my family. After 25 years in politics, I am looking forward to spending more time in my beautiful home state of Tasmania, with friends and family, and especially as I am soon to be a grandmother.

WA Senator Scott Ludlam with Christine Milne. Picture: Lincoln Baker/The West Australian

“Life after parliament is not however, life after politics. The fight for action on global warming will continue and I will take my passion, and all that I’ve learnt, to that fight standing shoulder to shoulder with the community here, and all over the world, for climate justice.”

The Greens have 10 senators and one lower house MP.