Senator Dorinda Cox has made her switch from the Australian Greens to the Labor Party official. This incredibly bold move has started an avalanche of reactions from the right, left, and everything in between. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has leapt to her defense, arguing that Cox is “an adult,” and one with a distinguished career. Her defection ignites important conversations about what shape political parties are really taking. It further points out what it may mean for the Greens and Labor.
Cox’s decision comes amid her denial of allegations surrounding her defection, citing “challenging conditions both politically and personally.” Having been a senator for Western Australia since 2008, she has held multiple opposition and government portfolios. Now, the other 11 members of the German Greens party will have to redistribute those responsibilities. This major development shifts the political landscape for Cox. Beyond that, it completely flips the political topography of party control in the Senate.
Reacting to Cox’s announcement, Greens leader Larissa Waters said she was disappointed but that the move was not “completely unexpected”. The unexpected move is a dramatic development for the Greens, whose loss of a senator is now assured. Some observers warn that this departure will weaken the party’s hand in future budget negotiations.
Implications for the Greens Party
Quite apart from the fresh impact of Dorinda’s departure on behalf of Aboriginal people, the implications for the Australian Greens are profound. Her departure rattles the party to its core. It not only loses a member, but a true passionate advocate for environmental justice and social justice. Cox’s earlier condemnation of the state and federal government for their partnership with the gas industry, her deep value for anti-collusion, an abiding commitment to these issues.
Cox’s statements about the Greens highlight her growing disillusionment with the party’s direction. She articulated that she has come to believe that “the Greens political party are not capable of achieving the change that she wants to see in public life.” This sentiment equally strikes at those who’ve been asking for the party to be more effective in recent years.
As the Greens continue to figure out the best way to make this transition, they’ll need to distribute Cox’s half-dozen portfolios between the remaining members. This redistribution could create challenges, particularly in maintaining their focus on environmental policies and advocacy efforts. Additionally, the party’s ability to use the minority effectively to shape legislation will be significantly reduced with a smaller number of members.
Labor’s Response and Support for Cox
In reaction to Cox’s defection, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was quick to highlight his support for her choice. He used it to highlight what he sees as a deeper trend within the Greens, claiming they have “lost their way. Albanese’s remarks serve to legitimize Cox’s move while subtly criticizing the Greens’ internal challenges.
Labor senator Fatima Payman expressed her support for Cox, highlighting that she is glad Cox “hasn’t had to deal with name-calling upon her defection.” Labor wants to make their organization a friendly place for new recruits. This is a welcome contrast to the possible aggression we might face from other segments of the political spectrum.
The Prime Minister faced questions over the fact that Cox had previously been critical of his government. Still, questions lingered about what her story will look like moving forward. On the back foot, Albanese conceded all these previous pronouncements but re-cast them as an acceptable rhetorical evolution in political self-preservation.
“She has, over a period of time, come to the view that the Greens political party are not capable of achieving the change that she wants to see in public life. And that’s not surprising, given that the Greens have lost their way.” – Anthony Albanese
Reactions from Political Peers
Cox’s defection has received a divided response from her colleagues. Senator Jacqui Lambie expressed her disappointment about the decision. The Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe suggested Cox would have been better off pursuing independent status rather than joining forces with Labor. This commentary is emblematic of a larger discussion surrounding party loyalty versus individual convictions within the Australian political landscape.
Many critics of Labor have taken the opportunity to call out what they see as hypocrisy in Albanese’s defense of Cox. Aaron Violi, the Liberal MP from outside the Labor fold, called out Albanese for hypocrisy given his past comments on the value of party loyalty. Violi argued that if politicians are elected under a particular party banner, switching parties can lead to feelings of betrayal among constituents.
“He said she should resign her Senate seat and give it back to the Labor Party last year, and now he’s saying that it’s OK for Senator Cox to do this. It goes to the hypocrisy of this prime minister.” – Aaron Violi
Helen Haines rounded out the panel, arguing passionately about how far elected representatives can go when they break from party lines. Otherwise, she contended, this might make voters feel duped.
“I think it is a fair argument to run that if you’re elected to the Senate under the banner of a party, if I voted for that person, I’d feel cheated that they jumped ship.” – Helen Haines
