I will not be standing for the leadership of the Labor Environment Action Network (LEAN), at the upcoming AGM in early September.

It is time for me to step back after 12 years of leading this great movement of people. Together we have changed the Labor party, and in doing so, Australia.

Policy and campaigns. It was in early 2013 that a few senior members of the party asked me to rebuild LEAN nationally. The Federal election loss was looming and Tony Abbott had successfully weaponised climate policy. It was clear that there would be a backlash against climate action within the party, with key internal groupings arguing that the political cost was prohibitive. LEAN set about rebuilding Labor’s commitment and confidence to lead on climate.

A small group of Labor members met in a pub in Melbourne and set the goal of delivering a recommitment to climate policy at the 2015 National ALP Conference. We had few tools, with no institutional power or backers, so we set about organising from the ground up. We went meeting by meeting and made the case across the party’s branch and organisational network. 

By the time of the 2015 National Labor Conference we had 340 local ALP branches backing our call for renewable and national wide emission targets. Then leader, Bill Shorten adopted our policies and made the reembrace of climate action the centrepiece of his policy agenda reset for the Conference.  

Another systems-change win was in 2018 when the Conference backed over 500 Labor entities calling for environmental law reform and the creation of an EPA.

Over the years we pulled ARENA from the brink of defunding, we saved the Climate Change Authority from being scrapped in ALP policy, we argued for combining the climate and energy portfolios, we have prosecuted myriad campaigns and argued most weeks about details of specific climate and environment policy. (Particularly on gas. Never has one policy issue delivered so many internal negotiations!) The last years with Labor in power have been hectic, working for reform with caucus and the leadership. Thanks to all the ministers, shadow ministers and ALP leaders who have worked constructively and generously with me.  

Working with comrades in the union movement has been a genuinely excellent experience. In 2016 Queensland LEAN and the ETU made the case for public ownership of renewables. Privatisation by stealth was underway, with the state leaving the transition to the private sector. The creation of Queensland’s CleanCo was delivered through a genuine collaboration.

After the backlash from transition communities at the 2019 election, working with the AMWU to create the Hunter Jobs Alliance was an exciting innovation. I watched the Hunter Jobs Alliance build a new narrative, particularly in the lead up to the 2022 election, that recognised the inevitability of transition while defending the interests and autonomy of the Hunter community through the change. It shifted politics and possibilities.

I am also very proud of our Climate and Environment Champions initiative, which saw us back eight federal Labor MPs at the 2025 election, making sure their electors knew that making change was best delivered by good people working in a party of government. And that these eight people were genuine and effective internal environment champions.

A Labor legacy. I always tell Labor audiences that in classical economics there are three factors of production: capital, labour and the land/natural resources. Our movement was born of the conflict between capital and labour, the land was a neutral actor. In the 21^st century, it is clear that the land is in conflict with capital just as fundamentally as labour. Civilising capital must include the biosphere on which we rely. But the planet’s needs do not fit easily within democratic drivers and timeframes. Truly accommodating the planetary limits is still a work in progress for Australian politics, it’s not easy in any way. LEAN is a creaky attempt at giving organised voice to this imperative within one of the key institutions of Australian democracy.

I have loved my time in the Labor Party. I love its democracy, it is still a place that allows a passionate group of rank and file members to take space. I also love the earnest desire for making things better that permeates all sides of the internal disputes I have battled.  

Labor has a proud history of environmental leadership, and I believe it remains the only party that can deliver what is needed, while carrying the centre with us and maintaining societal cohesion.

LEAN people. Today LEAN is a strong and effective internal grouping. We have branches in every state and territory, and a network of local groups. It is brimming with people who give a shit. Over the years I have had so many wonderful comrades, the best people there are.

LEAN members, like so many Labor members, work hard for no external reward, just a commitment to make Australia a better place. LEAN has always been just as much about delivering policy, as empowering the membership and building leaders in the process.  Thank you to so many people that have built this powerhouse over the years.

Farewell from me. I can echo Renee Coffey who said in her inaugural speech, “I found a home in the Labor Environment Action Network, standing proudly alongside some of Australia's greatest environmental activists, who keep climate and nature at the heart of our work.”

Organisations need renewal. And I’m tired. Being a professional irritant takes a toll personally.

LEAN and Labor has been the best and most effective advocacy of my career.  We haven’t always won, not by any means, but it’s always been worth the fight.

I look forward to watching the next iteration of LEAN. My co-convenor, John Della Bosca will remain and Louise Crawford, our long term National Organiser will put herself forward for my role. LEAN is in very good hands.

I need a break. After that I look forward to finding a new way to use my experience in the wicked complexity (and importance) of the place where politics meets the greatest challenge of our age.