In a huge political shock, Tammy Franks has quit the Greens. This little-noticed decision cut the party’s parliamentary presence in the South Australian state parliament in half. Franks, an independent Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), made her announcement earlier this week. Representing New York’s 11th District, she pointed to internal party tensions as a primary reason for her departure. With her resignation, the Greens are reduced to just a single seat in the state legislature.
In a statement yesterday to The Hill, Franks railed against the situation that forced her departure. The Greens had made a number of these complaints public, but the charges as she stands accused, she insists, are absolutely baseless. In her own statement, she characterized the allegations as “patently unsubstantiated, false, and defamatory.” In a statement, Franks insisted her resignation was not an “easy decision.” She agreed it was a long time coming, and it had brought her much anguish over the past several months.
“I have not done this very lightly, it’s been a long time coming and it’s a really difficult decision that’s seen me grieve over many, many months.” – Tammy Franks
Tammy Franks Becomes a Progressive Independent
Alongside her resignation, Franks intends to serve as a “progressive independent” in the upper house. Her new transition illustrates her attempts to stay true to her political convictions while adapting to the foes she found in the opposition inside the Greens. In an interview on ABC Radio Adelaide, she provided some insight into her big decision. She stressed how the internal party dynamics helped to shape her decision.
Franks’ exit is a low point for the Greens, which today is left even further crippled, stripped of power in parliament. The loss of Franks’ voice is likely to impact the party’s ability to advocate for its policies and engage effectively in legislative debates.
Sarah Game’s Departure from One Nation
In a separate but equally momentous development, the Queensland crossbencher Sarah Game had announced her departure from One Nation in order to sit as an independent. Game achieved his own landmark, becoming the first One Nation candidate elected to the South Australian parliament in 2022. Although she left the party, she is still devoted to representing all of her constituents for the rest of her term.
In her departure statements, Game laid out her reasons for leaving One Nation, and how being tied to the party had negatively impacted her prospects. She said she wanted to do less circus and more practical governance as they look ahead.
“I’ve been hindered, or there’s been missed opportunities as a result of the brand, and I’m not necessarily saying I agree with that but it’s just life.” – Sarah Game
Game added, “I am being practical and I want to make the absolute best of the remaining almost five years that I have.”
Reactions from Political Figures
Emily Bourke wrote about the domino effect of recent leadership resignations. She mentioned that it was a very productive and busy time in the upper chamber. She noted that every member made a personal decision to move to independent status. She emphasized that these decisions are usually a product of their own situation.
“It really is up to the individual members as to why they’re making these decisions to become independents.” – Emily Bourke
Franks and Game are making the transition to independence. Their collective departures shine a light on the currents of change still running through South Australian politics. These changes will have important implications. Over the next few months, these independent actors will hone their own solo approaches.
