Sunday 4 October 2026
Afternoon EditionRSS
ZOTPAPER

News without the noise

ZOTPAPER
Australia

New Greens deputy leader Steph Hodgins-May forged by personal tragedy and climate conviction

Ballarat-born former corporate lawyer takes on the prime minister as she rises in party ranks

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Steph Hodgins-May, the newly elected deputy leader of the Australian Greens, says her path into politics was shaped by personal loss and a long-held passion for climate action. After her mother was killed in the 2009 Samoa tsunami, she decided to leave corporate law and dedicate herself to environmental campaigning.

Hodgins-May, who was born in Ballarat to a fifth-generation farmer and a school teacher, has been described by Greens elders as a determined and talented campaigner with a steely resolve to drive change. Her father, an organic farmer, also served as a local councillor and mayor, and she recalls discussing politics at the dinner table as formative.

Now taking on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Hodgins-May enters the role at a time of heightened political tension over climate policy. The Greens have positioned her as a key figure in pushing for stronger action on the climate crisis. Political rivals' assessments of her vary widely, according to colleagues, though the article notes those verdicts range across the spectrum.

Hodgins-May has cited her visit to Samoa in the aftermath of the 2009 tsunami as the moment she realised she could no longer work as a corporate lawyer, a decision that ultimately led her into full-time climate advocacy and party politics.

§

Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Hodgins-May's elevation signals the Greens' continuing emphasis on climate action as a core platform.
  • Her personal story may appeal to voters who see political conviction born of direct experience with loss and environmental urgency.
  • The dynamic between her and Prime Minister Albanese could influence the next election campaign's focus on climate policy.

Background

Hodgins-May grew up in Ballarat, Victoria, with an organic farmer father who later became a local councillor and mayor, and a school teacher mother. The death of her mother in the 2009 Samoa tsunami was a pivotal moment that led her to leave corporate law and pursue climate campaigning. She has now risen to deputy leader of the Australian Greens, entering the role as the party seeks to intensify its pressure on the Labor government.

Key Perspectives

Greens party elders: Describe her as having obvious talent and determination to change things for the better. Political rivals: Their verdicts vary wildly, according to the source, but no specific criticisms are detailed. Critics/Skeptics: The article does not provide specific counter-arguments, though the varied assessments suggest some opposition.

What to Watch

  • Hodgins-May's performance in parliamentary debates and public appearances.
  • Any policy clashes between the Greens and the government on climate legislation.
  • The Greens' polling numbers in the lead-up to the next federal election.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

How we workReport an errorSubscribe