Greens Senator Cox Defects to Labor, Citing Desire to 'Make Change'
Greens Senator Dorinda Cox announced Monday she is leaving the minor party to join Labor's ranks in the federal Senate, saying she wants to be part of a "party of government" that can deliver meaningful change for Australia.
Cox, a Yamatji-Noongar woman who served as the Greens' Indigenous Affairs spokesperson, made the announcement alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Perth, confirming she initiated the switch after months of contemplation.
"During some deep reflection, what my values represent as a First Nations woman, as a proud West Australian, what it is that I would like to achieve in my political life and what you can't do from the crossbench is make change," Cox told reporters Monday.
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The Western Australian senator had been the only Indigenous member of the Greens' federal parliamentary team since Lidia Thorpe quit the party in 2023. Her defection brings Labor's Senate numbers to 29 while reducing the Greens to 10 senators.
Greens leader Larissa Waters said she was "disappointed" by Cox's decision, learning of it just 90 minutes before the public announcement.
"Senator Cox would have had more chance of effecting change by continuing to work with the Greens in the sole balance of power," Waters said in a statement.
Cox's departure comes amid recent tensions within the Greens and follows her unsuccessful bid for deputy leadership after the May 3 federal election. Sources within the party, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested Cox may have struggled to win preselection for the next election after losing internal support.
Just last week, Cox co-signed a statement accusing Labor Environment Minister Murray Watt of having "spectacularly failed" after provisionally approving an extended license for Western Australia's North West Shelf gas facility through 2070.
"It wouldn't be appropriate to make public commentary on that decision," Cox said Monday when asked about her previous criticism.
Albanese said Cox approached the government about joining Labor without asking for anything in return. The party's national executive approved her membership before the announcement.
"She wants to be part of a team that is delivering progress for this country by being part of a government that can make decisions to make a difference," Albanese said.
The prime minister addressed reports from Nine newspapers last year indicating at least 20 staff members had left Cox's office since she entered the Senate in 2021. Cox had apologized for any "distress" following bullying accusations.
Albanese said Labor had "examined everything that had been considered in the past" and determined the "issues were dealt with appropriately."
Cox entered parliament in 2021 through a casual vacancy, replacing retiring Greens senator Rachel Siewert, and was elected for a six-year term in 2022. Her Senate term runs until the 2028 election.
While Cox's defection doesn't materially change Labor's ability to pass legislation—which still requires support from either the Greens or Coalition—it does prevent the Greens and Coalition from blocking bills without crossbench support.
Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek said Tuesday morning she was "delighted" by Cox's decision to join Labor's "very strong West Australian team."
The announcement came one day before federal cabinet meets in Perth on Tuesday.
Cox becomes the second Western Australian senator elected in 2022 to switch parties, following Senator Fatima Payman, who quit Labor to join the crossbench after supporting a Greens motion on Palestinian statehood.
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