Politics was failing those who needed the most support, Greens senator Janet Rice said in her valedictory speech.
"In a wealthy country like ours, no one should be living in poverty," she said on Tuesday.
"People on income support deserve far better from politicians that are supposed to represent them."
Greens senator Janet Rice says she will continue to fight for LGBTQI people outside the chamber. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)
The Victorian and openly bisexual senator will continue to fight for LGBTQI rights outside of the chamber as the government prepares new religious discrimination protections.
Part of the proposed laws includes protections for LGBTQI students and staff from discrimination by religious schools.
"I will continue fighting outside parliament against any bill that acts only as a Trojan horse for hate," she said, referring to the government's religious anti-discrimination legislation.
She also called for stronger action on climate change and an end to new coal and gas projects.
"As I conclude my time in the Senate, I see so much more work that needs doing, and on a larger scale and faster timeline to effectively tackle the cost of living, housing and climate crises," she said.
"After a decade here I still believe in our representative democracy, we just have to make it work for us."
Marriage equality and the end of native logging in Victoria and Western Australia were heralded as huge wins by the outgoing senator.
But Australia hadn't come far enough on Indigenous justice and towards truth telling and treaties, Senator Rice said.
"I am appalled by the ongoing racism in this country, the deaths in custody, the poverty, the lack of self-determination experienced by our First Peoples," she said.
Senator Rice will be replaced by former Greenpeace Australia Pacific head and environmental lawyer Steph Hodgins-May when she bows out of politics this year.
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