Western Australian Greens Senator Dorinda Cox has shocked the political landscape by defecting to the Labor Party, announcing the move at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Greens Leader Larissa Waters was informed just 90 minutes before Senator Cox and the Prime Minister appeared together in Perth on Monday afternoon.
Mr. Albanese revealed that Senator Cox, a former Labor member, approached him with the desire to represent Labor in the Senate, and confirmed he had not spoken to the Greens leader about it.
“She concluded that the impact she wanted to have in the Senate and for Western Australia would be better achieved as a Labor Party member,” he said.
“Senator Cox made no demands; she simply asked for her membership to be considered.
“The Labor Party’s national executive met yesterday, and Senator Cox will officially join the WA branch of the Labor Party tomorrow.”
While Senator Cox did not specify when she decided to leave the Greens, the Yamatji-Noongar woman said her motivation was to “make change.”
“Change can’t be achieved from the crossbench; being in government alongside the excellent team led by the Prime Minister is the way forward,” she explained.
She also noted having a “very good, considered conversation” with Senator Waters, who “wished me well for the future.”
Senator Cox declined to comment publicly on Environment Minister Murray Watt’s provisional approval of the Woodside North West Shelf gas project extending to 2070.
Just last Wednesday, she had criticized the decision and vowed to reintroduce legislation protecting the nearby Murujuga rock art site.
On Monday, however, she said it was “not suitable” to publicly comment while the proposal remains under review.
Mr. Albanese addressed prior bullying allegations linked to Senator Cox after 20 staff departures, stating that the party had “thoroughly reviewed past concerns” and was confident the issues had been “appropriately managed.”
Shortly after the press conference, Senator Cox was removed from the Greens’ official website, with her profile replaced by an “ACCESS DENIED” message.
Her departure reduces the Greens’ Senate numbers to 10 but increases the government’s tally to 29.
The Greens recently faced heavy losses in the lower house, including the defeat of former leader Adam Bandt in Melbourne and outspoken MP Max Chandler-Mather in Griffith.
The party now holds only one lower house seat, Brisbane’s Ryan, represented by Elizabeth Watson-Brown.
Senator Waters expressed disappointment over Cox’s departure.
“Senator Cox says her values align with Labor, yet this is the same party that approved the climate-damaging North West Shelf gas project, which UNESCO warns will destroy vital First Nations heritage and ancient rock art,” Waters said.
“She would have had greater influence continuing with the Greens, who hold the balance of power.
“The Greens remain committed to pursuing Truth, Treaty, and Justice with First Nations people and protecting Country and the climate, which is under serious threat from Labor’s decisions in Western Australia.
“We wish her well.”
