Drew Hutton considers legal action after being cut from the Greens

The founding father of the Queensland Greens will consider legal action after his membership to the party was torn up for refusing to remove transphobic comments left by others on social media.

Drew Hutton, Picture: Mark Calleja

The founding father of the Queensland Greens will consider legal action after being ousted from his own party for refusing to remove transphobic comments from his social media.

Drew Hutton, who founded the state branch in 1990 was expelled from the party three weeks ago after being suspended in July 2023 due to comments left by others on a Facebook post.

Mr Hutton on Sunday appeared before the Queensland Greens state council to appeal the expulsion however, it was unsuccessful, with members voting overwhelmingly in favour of upholding his termination.

The post, which read: “I believe in full human rights for trans people at the same time as supporting the right of women to be free from patriarchies’ oppression. I am also prepared to say these things publicly. Unfortunately in the Greens at present that would seem to make me a transphobe,” – garnered a stream of negative online comments.

Mr Hutton ignored direction from the Greens to remove the comments, with the party accusing him of providing a platform for transphobia.

The party’s Constitution and Arbitration Committee’s (CAC) moved to expel him on May 30.

Queensland Greens Convenor Gemmia Burden said the expulsion was a result of Mr Hutton breaching the party’s code of ethics and state branch members’ vote to uphold it “reflected the Greens’ position” on trans rights.

“No one should be subjected to violence or hate speech on the basis of their gender, nor their race, sexual identity, ethnicity, or religion,” she said.

Greens founder Drew Hutton addresses a group of protesters. Photo Katie Lingard / Chinchilla News.

“Respectful debate is the fundamental basis upon which members of the Queensland Greens make decisions, and the vast majority of members do so without breaching party rules.

“Comments made and enabled by the former member went beyond respectful and robust discussion – they were harmful to the safety and wellbeing of people within the party and the broader community.

“It is disheartening to see that Mr Hutton has prioritised his perceived right to free speech over the safety of others.

“This decision of members confirms that party rules apply to everyone, and that whether you’re a new member or have been one for a long time, the Greens are a place where you can fight for climate, economic, and racial justice, and a future for everyone free from discrimination.”

Mr Hutton said he would now be investigating legal avenues.

“This is an authoritarian (organisation) that will not tolerate any challenge to policy,” he said.

“The Greens have become a weird and unlikeable party.”

Mr Hutton has taken issue with Greens policy being updated without democratic debate – including a policy that refuses to limit ‘women’ and ‘men’ labels to biology implemented by the Victorian branch.

“What breached the code of conduct were the comments … (which) basically said you can’t escape the fact that there are only two sexes, male and female,” he said.

“I did delete some comments that I believed were defamatory or abusive but I refuse to censor people on the grounds of philosophical difference.

“I campaigned for 20 years in this state against the Bjelke-Petersen government.“ I was arrested about 20 times on free speech issues and now my own party has rejected the whole notion.”

Greens co-founder Drew Hutton in 2011

Founder Bob Brown and the Greens’ first female leader Christine Milne supported Mr Hutton’s appeal.

Twenty-three members voted in favour of him remaining in the party, with 75 against.

Ms Burden said the party was disappointed by Mr Hutton’s conduct.

“Throughout this process the former member has refused to engage fairly with the party, sought and expected special treatment, and used the media to prosecute his case,” she said.

“The party maintained confidentiality in accordance with its rules.

“No member is above the need to treat others with respect, and seeking to weaponised internal processes to pursue personal grievances does not advance the Queensland Greens’ work on environmental, climate, economic, and social justice.

“We are disappointed by Mr Hutton’s conduct, his unwillingness to abide by party processes, or to work with the party to recognise the harm caused by his own commentary, and that which he continues to platform.”

Mr Hutton has claimed more than 40 people have been expelled or “forced out” of the Greens after voicing their position on gender.

His Greens’ membership will be immediately terminated.

Originally published as Drew Hutton considers legal action after being cut from the Greens