Statement from Senator Christine Milne

Today Senator Christine Milne has resigned her position as Leader of the Australian Greens.

Senator Milne informed the Party Room this morning in Canberra and a ballot for the new leader will occur today at 11.30am followed by a Press Conference at 1.30pm in the Mural Hall.

The Tasmanian Greens preselection process for the 2016 election opens shortly. Senator Milne told the Party Room that having decided not to contest the election for another six year Senate term, she resigned as Leader.

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

"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.

"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.

"I would like to say thank you. To my family, staff, colleagues, friends, party members, supporters and voters - thank you. I have cherished your input, your passion, and your support.

Senator Milne has served 25 years in Australian politics, being elected to the Tasmanian parliament in 1989, and becoming the first woman to lead a political party in Tasmania in 1993. She was elected to the Senate in 2004, elected Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens in 2008 and Leader in April 2012.