Bob Brown resigns
Greens leader Bob Brown has today resigned from the Senate and as the head of his party.
After 16 years service in the Senate, Brown informed colleagues of his decision this morning. He will see out his role in the Senate until June when a Tasmanian replacement will take his place.
Greens deputy leader Christine Milne has been elected as the new leader of the party.
“I’m honoured & excited to have been elected leader,” Milne Tweeted this morning.
In a statement today, Brown, 67, said he was ready to go.
“I am sad to leave but happy to go. It is good knowing that the Greens have such a depth of talent and experience lined up for leadership – I could only dream about that a decade ago”, he said.
“It is prime time to hand over the reins.
“I look forward to fresh green pursuits including writing, photography, music, occasional talks, bushwalking, and getting out with [partner] Paul to see Miranda Gibson who has been perched for 120 days 60 metres high, in defence of a giant tree facing destruction in central Tasmania.”
Brown was the first openly-gay member of the Australian Parliament and the first openly-gay leader of an Australian political party.
He has helped lead the way with discussion on LGBT issues in the federal arena.
He was elected to the Senate after the 1996 federal election.
