THE political champion of the environmental movement, Bob Brown, today stood down as Greens Leader and will quit Parliament in June after 16 years in the Senate.

He will be replaced by his deputy and fellow Tasmanian Christine Milne.



That's it for today's rolling coverage. Full details of Bob Brown's departure below, from National Political Editor Malcolm Farr.



2.20pm Christine Milne has pledged she won't re-negotiate a minority Government deal with Labor.

National Political Editor Mal Farr has filed this to news.com.au:

Senator Milne said she was a signatory to the original agreement with her predecessor Bob Brown, to stood down today. The pact to pursue a group of policy objectives - the biggest being the carbon pricing scheme to start in July - sparked Opposition claims the Greens were running the Government. "There will be no renegotiation of the agreement that I'm already a signatory to," Senator Milne told reporters in Canberra today.

More on that, here.

1.34pm Prime Minister Julia Gillard has paid tribute to the departing Brown, and congratulated Christine Milne on her appointment.

"Throughout his time in elected office, Bob Brown has been a figure of integrity with a deep love for this country and its environment. I wish him well for his life beyond politics."

1.15pmTake a stroll down memory lane, as we wind back the clock and look at Bob Brown through the years.

Here's the full gallery, but first, a teaser.

1.10pmSenator Brown said in May last year that he had no immediate plans to retire and cited News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch as a role model.

At the time Mr Murdoch had turned 80 and he's now 81. But Senator Brown has changed his mind.

"Twelve or 18 months ago I did cite Rupert Murdoch as being a role model and say that I'd stay in it (parliament) to 2024 to catch up with his age. But I've watched his progress in the last 18 months and I've decided I changed my mind. So here I am."

Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation is the parent company of News Limited, the publisher of news.com.au.

- AAP

1.05pm Christine Milne's full statement on Facebook, here, but here's a snippet:

"The daunting task ahead is made so much easier by the fact that I have a brilliant team of MPs who are all incredibly bright, hard-working and deeply committed to building a better future for all of us. Now, all Australians will get the chance to see them shine."

12.55pmMore conspiracy theories, where else, but Twitter:

North Korean missile blows up, Bob Brown quits. Coincidence? You be the judge. #auspol #greens — David Loh (@davidloh) April 13, 2012



12.54pmTMI?

Not needing to know this! @latikambourke: Bob Brown's partner Paul says he's looking forward to 'testing Bob's athleticism.' — Pippa Reed (@pippa_reed) April 13, 2012

Meanwhile, the Wilderness Society has paid tribute to a champion of the environment.

"Bob Brown has made an enormous contribution to Australia, its precious wilderness areas, and to the Wilderness Society as its founding leader.

"Dr Brown has taken environmental activism from a fledging movement to a mainstream political force. He has been a giant of the environment movement who has stood up to many of the most powerful corporate and political interests in the defence of nature. He has been an inspiration to a generation of Australians who love our natural environment."

"He has shown extraordinary commitment to the protection of nature in Australia and social justice, has helped Australia to become a leader in the fight against global warming and helped save much of Australia’s ancient forests."

12.39pmThe Punch considers a new era for the Greens after Bob Brown's departure:







12.34pmHere's a different take on things; One Tweep is concerned that Brown's resignation has something to do with Black Friday.

Bob Brown resigns and there are bagpipes playing in my foodcourt- #fridaythethirteenth — Lawson (@VincoFive) April 13, 2012



12.29pm Bob says the significance of his resignation is not lost on him.

"I'm well aware of the size of this decision but I think it's the best wisdom I can muster. I will be a Green until the day I die. If not for a long time after that. As a middle-order nation we have a role to play in the world, which seeks peace, democracy, a fair-go for everyone."

12.27pm Bob Brown stepping down as Greens Leader:

12.18pmChristine Milne says she's well-equipped to handle "balance of power" politics. And another great line from Bob: "I'll be a Green until the day I die, if not after that".

12.14pm The former Greens Leaders says he's looking forward to retirement. So how will he spend all of that free time? National Technology Editor Jen Dudley-Nicholson's got the answer:

Sounds like Bob Brown is about to take up tweeting and Instagramming in his new free time: bit.ly/HBxxd4 #auspol — Jen Dudley-Nicholson (@jendudley) April 13, 2012



12.07pmBob says he'll spend time taking photos and writing. His Kiwi impersonations could also use some work. "Across the ditch, or as they say the dutch."



Er, Lol....?



12.00pm Christine Milne was quick to let her supporters know of her new role via Twitter.

I'm honoured & excited to have been elected leader of the @GreensMPs to build on the great legacy of @SenatorBobBrown, who is retiring today — Christine Milne (@senatormilne) April 13, 2012

Full details on Bob Brown's departure



The 67-year-old's departure is not expected to affect the Greens' arrangements to support the minority Labor government of Prime Minister Julia Gillard.



Senator Brown will leave politics with the Greens at a peak of influence in federal affairs and holding the balance of power in the Senate.



He is credited with that increase in electoral power which has included the party winning its first House of Representatives seat. And he has overseen the Greens expanding policy interests from the environment to social and economic issues, usually on the left of national debates.



The big question for the Greens now will be whether the party can continue to grow without him leading, and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott today forecast "turbulent times" for the Greens, similar to the unrest which struck the Australian Democrats after founder Don Chipp retired.



"Certainly I think that the deal with the Greens has been an enormous problem for Julia Gillard," Mr Abbott told reporters in Canberra.



"I think all too often Bob Brown has looked like the real Prime Minister of this country. I think that Bob Brown has been a very strong force in Australian politics in recent years. I would say too strong a force in Australian politics in recent years.



"But I think he's had a role in respect of the Greens a little bit like that of Don Chipp in respect of the Australian Democrats. And I think these will be turbulent times for the Greens."



Senator Brown said he would take up "fresh green pursuits" with his partner Paul, including "writing, photography, music, occasional talks, bushwalking".



"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", Senator Brown said.



"It is prime time to hand over the reins. I offer a huge 'thank you' to the 1.7 million Australian voters who elected our Green team, and to my colleagues. They have made each Green year in this parliament better than the year before, though the best is yet to come."

Ms Milne paid tribute to Mr Brown’s extraordinary leadership in a press release.

“Under Bob’s wise leadership, the Greens have grown into the undisputed third force in Australian politics, with our vision, policies and action towards a healthier, cleverer, cleaner future embraced by 1.7 million Australians,” Senator Milne said.

“Under my leadership, we will work tirelessly towards making Australia a great place to live and work, now and into the future; a country whose government values what our people value."