Greens deny claims made by defecting senator Dorinda Cox in extraordinary resignation letter

The Greens have denied stunning claims of racism stemming from a First Nations senator’s bombshell resignation letter.

The Australian Greens have rebuffed defecting senator Dorinda Cox’s extraordinary broadside at her ex-party after she accused it of racism on her way out the door.

In a formal resignation letter, reported by the ABC, Senator Cox said the Greens had failed her as the party’s “last” First Nations MP.

“In my experience, the Greens tolerate a culture that permits violence against First Nations women within its structures,” she wrote in the letter.

“In this respect, the party is deeply racist.”

Senator Cox left the party last week after a failed bid to become its deputy leader, instead defecting to join the Australian Labor Party.

In her letter, Senator Cox specifically mentioned a 2023 incident at Perth Airport that reportedly turned into a physical confrontation between her and the Blak Greens’ former leader Tjanara Goreng Goreng.

At the time both women made reports to police about the incident.

Former Greens senator Dorinda Cox has joined the Labor Party. Picture: NewsWire / Philip Gostelow

An Australian Greens spokesperson said the claims were “disappointing” and “unrepresentative” of the work undertaken by the party to address a “breakdown” of the relationship between the senator and the Greens’ First Nations members.

“The Greens are an anti-racism party and pushing a senator to take complaints seriously is not bullying,” the spokesperson said.

“As the IPSC and PWSS are the bodies created by parliament to address complaints from staff, they can continue to investigate ongoing matters. This is unchanged by the senator’s decision to move to a party that continues to destroy First Nations cultural history through approving coal and gas projects.”

In her letter, Senator Cox made broad claims about the party failing in its “duty of care” to her and her staff, accusing the Greens of being “solely” focused on winning seats.

Senator Cox has faced allegations of bullying. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Tensions have been high since Senator Cox left the party, with South Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young insisting that the “honourable” move would be for Senator Cox to hand back her seat.

At the time of her resignation newly minted Greens leader Larissa Waters expressed disappointment in Senator Cox’s decision.

“Senator Cox would have had more chance of effecting change by continuing to work with the Greens in the sole balance of power,” Ms Waters said at the time.

“We wish her well.”

The Greens have since revoked Senator Cox’s party membership.

The letter also addressed bullying allegations against Senator Cox after it was revealed last year that a reported 20 staff had left her office over a three-year period – some over bullying complaints.

“I have faced an unremitting campaign of bullying and dishonest claims over the last 18 months,” Senator Cox wrote.

“I am not, and have never been, a bully. I do not perpetrate it.”