Dorinda Cox, a senator from Western Australia, has left the Greens to join the Labor Party. This change comes just one month after Labor’s big election win on May 3, 2025. Cox said she felt her values matched better with Labor and that being part of the government would allow her to make real changes. Her move surprised many in the Greens and highlights the growing influence of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Australian politics.
Cox’s defection adds one more seat to Labor’s upper house numbers in Western Australia. Some Greens members were upset that Cox waited until after the North-West Shelf gas project was approved to switch sides. Inside Labor, reactions were welcoming, with many seeing Cox’s practical approach and focus on Indigenous issues as valuable for the party. Cox reportedly had challenges within the WA Greens, including losing a leadership vote and disagreements over her role in Indigenous affairs.
Her move slightly improves Labor’s position in the Senate, increasing their seats from 28 to 29 out of 76. While this change does not greatly affect Labor’s ability to pass laws, it weakens the combined opposition of the Greens and Coalition, who now have 37 seats—one short of the 38 needed to block legislation alone. This shift may give Labor more options when negotiating with other crossbench senators.
The 2025 election has reshaped Australian politics in many ways. Labor now has its largest caucus ever. Key figures such as Greens leader Adam Bandt and Coalition leader Peter Dutton lost their seats. The Coalition’s role has diminished, mainly representing rural areas. The Greens have faced losses and internal struggles, losing four seats in total. This political shakeup has also caused leadership questions within the Coalition.
Cox is known for supporting Indigenous rights and environmental causes. She backed the Indigenous Voice referendum and supports a truth and justice commission for First Nations people. Her joining Labor raises questions about whether the party will take bolder steps on Indigenous reconciliation and environmental policies. So far, Labor has been cautious on these issues, but there are signs of openness to discussions about truth and treaty processes.
Cox has a private senator’s bill for a truth and justice commission still before parliament. It remains to be seen how strongly she will push these issues within Labor. Her move shows how some politicians prefer joining major parties to make changes rather than staying with smaller parties or crossbench groups.
