NSW Greens MLC Mehreen Faruqi has soundly defeated Senator Lee Rhiannon in a preselection ballot to be lead Senate candidate at the next federal election, a result expected to have far-reaching ramifications inside the party.
Dr Faruqi received 1301 votes compared with Senator Rhiannon's 843, delivering her 60.7 per cent of the vote after the distribution of preferences.
"I am really humbled and overwhelmed by the support the members have given me," Dr Faruqi told Fairfax Media.
"We are going to run the biggest senate campaign the party has ever run. My whole pitch was growing the party and reaching out to the community, and that's what we're going to do."
"I want to thank Lee as well from the bottom of my heart for all the work she has done for many, many years for the Greens, progressive politics and the people of Australia," she said. "I've had the privilege of working with her and it's been a great partnership on the issue of womens' right, inequality and many others."
In a statement Senator Rhiannon said she warmly congratulated Dr Faruqi who "stands a very good chance of becoming the third Greens woman Senator for NSW - after Kerry Nettle and myself".
Fierce battle
However, Senator Rhiannon also made reference to the fierce internal battles she fought with sections of the NSW Greens and federal leader Senator Richard Di Natale, which culminated in her suspension from the party room this year.
"Some may see this result as a success for those who denigrated myself and the political tradition of the Greens NSW so blatantly in the mainstream media," Senator Rhiannon said.
"Some members may see my defeat as a setback for a member-driven party and one committed to the radical transformative policies we need if we are to stop climate change and to create a more equal society," she said.
"However, I have been heartened by the strong support I have received from across the state for this vision of the Greens," Senator Rhiannon said. "I have been particularly encouraged by the support from younger members. I am confident they are the future of the Greens."
Body blow
Senator Rhiannon's defeat is being seen by some Greens members as a body blow to the left faction which she has led for many years.
The divisions between the left and right of the party have prompted bitter preselection contests in NSW.
In July, Senator Rhiannon was temporarily suspended from the federal party room over her opposition to the Turnbull government's Gonski 2.0 school funding package.
Senator Rhiannon came under fire for authorising a leaflet from a local Greens group campaigning against the reform package, while Senator Di Natale was negotiating with the government.
But Senator Rhiannon denied doing anything wrong and declared she was "disappointed in Richard's leadership".
