Another former Greens staffer speaks out about Dorinda Cox behaviour

A former media adviser has described seeing co-workers in Greens senator Dorinda Cox’s office appearing anxious and visibly distressed.

Greens senator Dorinda Cox. Picture: Martin Ollman/NewsWire

Another former staffer of Dorinda Cox has gone public with complaints about the Greens senator’s conduct, accusing her of presiding over an “aggressive and unhealthy” office environment.

Lou Hendricks, who was a media adviser in the senator’s office until she resigned from the role earlier this year, issued a statement late on Friday in which she described the toll on staff from Senator Cox’s alleged behaviour.

“I did my best to support colleagues experiencing behaviours that are typically regarded as bullying while also experiencing similar, and trying to keep myself safe too,” Ms Hendricks said.

“Staff were anxious, visibly distressed and in some cases speaking about taking their own life which was a huge red flag and demonstrated how seriously their mental health was affected.

“I found it to be an unnecessarily aggressive environment that was unhealthy, draining and unsustainable … No one can work in a hostile environment for long without it taking a significant and devastating toll on their health.”

Ms Hendricks’ statement follows comments earlier this week from veteran activist and Indigenous elder Esther Montgomery, who went public with her account of her “nightmare” two months employed in Senator Cox’s office. Several other former staff have also given anonymous accounts, with all describing similar patterns of aggressive and intimidating behaviour from the senator towards her staff. One former staffer described feeling suicidal by the end of her time in the office.

The Australian understands that at least six former staff had made complaints in some form to the party and/or Parliamentary Workplace Support Service.

The senator’s office has been marked by exceptionally high rates of staff turnover, with more than 20 people having quit their roles since she was sworn into the Senate in October 2021. Only five people have been employed in the office at any one time.

One staff member lasted only four days in her role in the office before she quit.

Ms Hendricks said she hoped that by going public with her account, there may be some improvement in the parliamentary workplace culture and systems.

“I was hesitant to speak publicly about my time in Senator Cox’s office but believe that with others speaking out, I also have a duty of care to my former colleagues and parliamentary staff, to speak on the record,” she said.

Ms Hendricks confirmed that she had approached both the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service and the Greens party for help and guidance on numerous occasions, and had started a formal complaint process with PWSS.

“It’s clear the PWSS has a difficult job. After many months, I formed the opinion that there wasn’t much that the PWSS could do to help, other than listening, asking staff what they were doing for ‘self-care’ and talking about ‘cultural diagnostics’,” she said.

Senator Cox earlier on Friday released a statement apologising for the distress that any shortcomings in her office may have caused.

“Politics is a challenging and high pressure environment, especially as a First Nations Woman with five federal portfolios and competing priorities, including Australia’s largest geographical electorate,” Senator Cox said.

“There have been many challenges during my first three years in office including the Covid

epidemic, taking on the First Nations portfolio alongside the Voice Referendum and leading many significant Committee inquiries. All whilst establishing and recruiting two office based teams to secure my six year term with the ambition of an effective, safe and supportive work environment.”

In an apparent reference to the senator’s statement, Ms Hendricks said using politics, portfolios or a referendum as excuses for the behaviour was “offensive, pathetic and victim-blaming”.

“It was described as a ‘trauma informed’ workplace but it felt traumatic,” Ms Hendricks said.

“The number of resignations, including senior staff, this year alone tells a strong story.“

Greens leader Adam Bandt has this week defended his office’s handling of the complaints about Senator Cox, telling reporters that the PWSS was the appropriate body to handle such matters.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.