Western Australian Senator Dorinda Cox has left the Greens Party and joined the Australian Labor Party. This unexpected move follows her growing dissatisfaction with the Greens and concerns about increasing extremism within the party. The change lowers the Greens’ Senate seats from 11 to 10, while Labor’s total rises to 28, still short of the 39 needed for a Senate majority.
Cox, a former Indigenous police officer, reportedly contacted the Prime Minister’s Office in recent weeks to express frustration with the Greens’ direction, especially regarding policies promoted by Greens deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi. Labor believes her decision was influenced by recent leadership changes in the Greens and disagreements with parts of their agenda.
Senator Cox was first appointed to the Senate in 2021 to fill a Greens vacancy and was re-elected in 2022. Before joining the Greens, she was a member of the Labor Party. During her time with the Greens, she faced allegations of bullying from former staff members. Labor says it carefully reviewed these allegations before accepting her into their ranks.
At a press event in Perth, Cox confirmed her switch to Labor and expressed her eagerness to contribute to government work and represent Western Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed her to the party, highlighting her background as a former police officer and her potential to contribute to policy development.
Greens leader Larissa Waters said the party was only informed about Cox’s departure shortly before the public announcement and expressed disappointment over her decision. Cox’s move slightly shifts the Senate balance but does not give Labor a majority.
