Greens senator Dorinda Cox censured by party over bullying allegations

The West Australian Greens have formally censured Dorinda Cox, after former staff came forward to detail allegations of bullying and mistreatment by the senator.

The allegations against Cox will be investigated by party officials in her home state. Former staff have been encouraged to come forward and “let us know if this issue has affected you, and what the Greens (WA) may be able to do to support your safety and work in the movement”.

Senator Dorinda Cox in Parliament House last month.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The decision by Greens WA state director Dean Smith and co-conveners Chloe Durand and Nat Tang to censure and investigate Cox comes after she apologised on Friday for any “shortcomings” in her office.

It also contrasts sharply with the response of federal party leader Adam Bandt, who has ducked questions about the allegations; cut short a press conference on Thursday; and said the federal Parliamentary Workplace Support Service was best placed to deal with the matter.

Bandt’s response has dismayed many Greens party members. Bandt’s office said the Greens leader was travelling on Sunday and referred to his previous statements on the subject.

Cox, the federal Greens’ First Nations and resources spokeswoman, said on Sunday she was disappointed she had not been contacted by the party before a decision was made to reprimand her.

“I do find it disappointing such a provisional decision has been made on the basis of allegations reported in the media without even being asked to participate in the meeting or informed in any way of the process,” Cox said. “I have requested that the WA party consult with the PWSS before taking any further actions. They are the appropriate body to address these matters.”

This masthead revealed last week that 20 staff had quit Cox’s office over three years, four times the number of people taxpayers pay to work in a senator’s office.

Four people, Aunty Esther Montgomery, Sarah Quinton, Vivienne Glance and Lou Hendricks, have spoken out publicly to detail their allegations and another 11 have spoken anonymously to detail their experiences.

Cox, a Yamatji-Noongar woman, said on Friday: “I take responsibility for any shortcomings in what has occurred during this period and I apologise”. She listed a range of challenges, including holding five portfolios in Australia’s largest electorate, the COVID-19 pandemic, committee inquiries and the Voice referendum, as contributing factors.

In an email sent to party members and obtained by this masthead, the WA Greens head office says “any allegation of bullying and misconduct from a member of our party, especially one with a position of power and influence, is cause for grave concern”.

“We expect all our MPs to conduct themselves in line with Greens’ values. Senator Cox has been issued a censure by our Representative Council’s Quick Decision Making Group. This falls under the Greens (WA) Censure, Suspension and Expulsion By-Laws for matters relating to the effect of these news articles and allegations on the Party and its members.”

The WA Greens’ constitution does not spell out any further consequences following a censure but the move is deeply embarrassing for the senator and could even throw into question whether she will be pre-selected to stand again for the party in 2028 when her term expires.

“Many of the people who have been on record or named in these articles are active contributors to the Greens. We’re deeply saddened to hear of their experiences both in the movement, and in navigating the Parliamentary Worker Support System. We wish to express our support for those who have spoken up, and for any others who are considering doing so,” the email says.

“We are committed to the investigation of any allegations, a fair outcome, and to supporting people impacted by any such behaviour. All workers deserve safe workplaces, and all members and volunteers deserve a safe party. For us, this is not merely a policy or platform, it’s a deeply held principle.”

The party officials state that they reject any suggestion that political work is “intrinsically toxic, and that as a result, toxic behaviour should be expected. Any instance of bullying brings the entire party into disrepute”.

The email concludes by asking party members and supporters to come forward and “let us know if this issue has affected you”.

A broader meeting of WA Greens is expected to sign off on the censure motion later this month.

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