Greens co-founder expelled from party after ‘trans and queer cult' claim
Drew Hutton's life membership of the Greens was terminated by delegates of the state branches on Sunday, with party officials releasing a statement insisting that 'trans rights are non-negotiable human rights.'
But the 78 year old has hit back warning the Greens have been taken over by an intolerant cult.
'The fact is that the Greens in a number of states have been taken over by a cult,'' he said.
'A transgender and queer cult – that has come to control key decision-making positions in the party, such as disciplinary and preselection committees and administrative positions, that give them enormous power, and they use this to influence preselections and expel those who disagree with them,'' he said.
'They have abandoned the historic mission I believed they had when I founded the party, a mission to help bring about an ecologically sustainable world.'
The long-running saga that led to the termination of Mr Hutton's membership began in June 2022 when he took to Facebook to discuss moves in Victoria and New South Wales to expel members over 'transphobic' comments.
After an internal complaint against him, the Greens governing body found that Mr Hutton had not personally demeaned trans women, he had provided a platform.
As a result, the party suspended his membership until he deleted a Facebook post criticising the Greens and removed the offending comments made by others.
His original Facebook post, on June 21, 2022, spoke of balancing trans rights with the rights of women.
The post read: 'I believe in full human rights for trans people at the same time as supporting the right of women to be safe from patriarchal oppression.'
He then condemned 'authoritarian and anti-democratic' disciplinary action that had been taken against feminists for voicing their concerns within party forums.
'I'm a retired, old, burnt-out greenie activist, and I hadn't been keeping up with all this stuff. I just responded to what I thought was a really stupid situation and an abuse of power by some people,'' he told The Saturday Paper.
Mr Hutton said he did not intend to 'say anything about the transgender issues themselves' but was 'concerned about party democracy and the need for discussion and debate in the Greens that is both open-minded and respectful of other views'.
'Like many other party members, I have become a victim of this cult,'' he wrote in The Australian.
'I was expelled from the party, not because I made statements that opposed key beliefs of the Greens but because I refused to censor comments on a couple of Facebook posts that asserted that men were biological males and women were biological females.
'The cult position is that people are whatever gender they define themselves as and anyone who disagrees with that position must be expelled or, if they are not party members, they should be otherwise cancelled. I was, therefore, told I had to censor all such comments from my Facebook posts. I refused on free speech grounds and so my membership was suspended, and then I was expelled when I continued to refuse.
'I join at least 40 other members that I know of who have been expelled or forced out of the party over the gender issue. Many of those expelled have been great environmental campaigners with decades of loyal service to the party. It is a purge of 'green' Greens.
'People in the community are beginning to sense that something is not right in the Greens, and the party will need to work hard to calm this disquiet. The first thing the Greens need to do is analyse where their vote comes from.'
Mr Hutton said the marriage equality referendum demonstrated that Australians are 'open, tolerant and inclusive.'
'They did not, at any point, vote for the rights of children and women to be overridden,'' he said.
'How can the Greens avoid the same sort of demise that befell the Australian Democrats? It will be very difficult. The extreme transgender/queer faction is well entrenched in the key decision-making centres of the party and those Greens who maintain a more traditional view of what green politics is all about are ignoring this and getting on with what they do in their local areas or they are keeping their heads down so they don't become another victim of the purges.'
Mr Hutton said Greens leaders Bob Brown and Christine Milne supported his push for free speech to be restored.
'Leadership is needed. Both Bob Brown and Christine Milne, the two former great leaders of the Australian Greens, had the character and courage to tackle the issue head-on,'' he said.
'I believe they would have demanded an end to the purges and an inquiry into how the party could better implement the green politics principle of democracy in its processes,'' he said.
'The question is: Does the current Australian Greens leader, Larissa Waters, have the same character and courage to get the Greens out of this mess?.'
In March, 2025, Mr Hutton spoke to the several media outlets about the dispute and published more posts on Facebook that criticised what 'trans extremists' in the Greens.
In the wake of these comments, Mr Hutton's membership in the Greens was terminated amid claims his Facebook posts breached the Queensland Greens code of ethics.
'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,' Greens convener Gemma Burden said.
'No member is above the need to treat others with respect, and seeking to weaponise internal processes to pursue personal grievances does not advance the Queensland Greens' work on environmental, climate, economic and social justice.'
Greens leader Larissa Waters backed the expulsion stating that 'trans rights are human rights' and insisting the move was backed by the membership.
'Greens members have been working hard to resolve this matter through the party's governance processes, and to ensure that the party's important work on environmental, climate, economic, and social justice doesn't stop because of one man's focus on how other people identify,' she said in a statement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
10 minutes ago
- ABC News
New Victorian police chief Mike Bush says people should be free to protest without permits
Victoria does not need a permit system for protests, says the state's new top cop, who concedes there has been a breakdown in public confidence in police. In his first wide-ranging interview since joining Victoria Police, Chief Commissioner Mike Bush acknowledged Victorians felt less safe and declared "there's too much crime out there". The chief commissioner's arrival comes at a tumultuous time for Victoria Police, with crime at its highest rate since 2016 and an ongoing tobacco war that has seen 140 firebombings. Public confidence has also been at a 14-year low, with just 61.9 per cent of people having confidence in the police, far short of the force's 82 per cent target. "The data would definitely say that, and we've got to accept what the data tells us," Mr Bush said of the breakdown in public confidence. "We must be operationally excellent — whether we're preventing crime, responding to crime, investigating crime, resolving crime." Mr Bush is a 42-year police veteran of New Zealand Police. He ultimately became commissioner of the force, implementing a landmark crime-prevention policing model that included diversions and warnings for low-level offending. "We are, right now, considering our whole policing approach. I'm very keen to bring those things in, that's what the public deserve," he said. "Prevention is not a soft way of policing, it's just the right way, but we've got to do everything else too so responding is important, investigating and resolving is important. It's about getting the order right." The new chief commissioner told the ABC he did not support a permit system for protests, a measure debated in Victoria and already operating in New South Wales. "We've had a look to see if it will be effective, where we've landed is that it's not worth bringing in," he said. There has been significant public debate about protests in recent years, from the predominantly peaceful weekly marches in support of the Palestine community to anti-lockdown rallies and violent Land Forces protests. Shocked diners also watched on as protesters converged on an Israeli restaurant in Melbourne's CBD earlier this month, with tables and chairs thrown and a glass door damaged. Mr Bush addressed what he described as "polarisation" in the community, saying those with "an extreme view one way or the other are getting more extreme". He said the line between activism and extremism was "quite possibly" being blurred. "If we talk about public protest, absolutely," he said. "If you feel strongly about something, we are there to keep you safe while you demonstrate that. "But what we don't want is extreme behaviour that challenges the safety of other people — not just their physical safety but their feelings of safety. Mr Bush added: "It's only a minority but we should not tolerate the behaviour of that minority." Victoria Police has received independent legal advice that indicated the controversial chant "Death to the IDF" was not an offence. Mr Bush was also unequivocal when asked by the ABC if the chant amounted to hate speech. "No," he said. It came after former Victorian governor Linda Dessau called the phrase "totally unacceptable" and "hate speech" and Premier Jacinta Allan deferred to police when asked last week whether the chant was illegal. Under pressure to act on youth crime, the Allan government earlier this year announced a law reform package that included tougher bail conditions and a ban on machetes. It has also backed down from its pledge to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 — a move Mr Bush's predecessor opposed. Mr Bush would not say whether he supported raising the age but acknowledged there were limits to prevention-led policing. "The bottom line is, we don't want to see young people in prison, but some need to be there to protect the public," he said. The latest crime statistics show there were an extra 92,000 offences recorded in Victoria in the year to March, a 17 per cent jump from the same period last year. Youth crime also spiked to its highest level since records began, with children over-represented in home invasions and aggravated burglaries. Mr Bush was also asked about the state's ongoing tobacco wars, which has seen 140 firebombings by Middle Eastern crime factions trying to seize control of the illicit tobacco and vape market. He would not say whether it was a mistake for the federal government to have deported alleged tobacco kingpin, Kazem Hamad, who his own force has identified as being linked to a deadly arson which mistakenly killed Melbourne woman Katie Tangey. Police believe Hamad, who is now believed to be in Baghdad, is a key player in the tobacco wars who has orchestrated firebombings on his rivals or shop owners who refuse to pay exorbitant extortion fees. "I'm not going to talk about individuals," Mr Bush said. "But I will say on that subject that we have excellent international law enforcement, collaboration and cooperation and we use those partnerships and networks when we don't have a presence overseas." Mr Bush acknowledged tensions were high not only in the community but also among his own rank-and-file officers who have reported low-levels of morale and high rates of attrition. The rank-and-file made their displeasure known in February when officers passed a resounding no-confidence vote in former Chief Commissioner Shane Patton, who ultimately resigned. It followed a protracted pay dispute between the Police Association of Victoria and the Victorian government. Mr Bush said senior police leaders had to "own" the mood among his members. "We've also got to remove things that get in their way, the things that frustrate them, bureaucracy, too much paperwork," he said. He committed to upgrading technology for his officers in the next 12 months, who he said were being hamstrung by red tape. "I'm not going to be embarrassed to say that the New Zealand police are a long way ahead," he said. "We've agreed to partner up to actually not just learn from them, but they're quite prepared to share all of their platforms and technology with us." The Police Association of Victoria has previously said its members have a stake in Mr Bush's success. "He's regarded as a leader who listens to his troops, who connects with community, and has been known to prioritise prevention as the greatest weapon against crime," secretary Wayne Gatt said. "We think, given the challenges we currently face in policing in this state, that these virtues will be invaluable in the fight to win back Victoria."
ABC News
10 minutes ago
- ABC News
Labor and Liberals facing internal fault lines over Gaza, net zero, and Welcomes to Country
It's one of the most enduring political rules — never fight the last election at the next one. But the Liberals are already showing signs of missing this important memo in the new political term. Over the weekend, the WA Liberal Party supported a motion to abandon a target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, heaping more pressure on federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley to dump the policy. Delegates at the WA Liberal State Council also approved a motion to get rid of the Indigenous and Torres Strait Islands flags behind the prime minister at press conferences and cut back on Welcome to Country ceremonies. It is understood that both motions were carried with an overwhelming show of support when they were read out and without needing to go to a ballot. The behind-closed-doors meeting was held at a hotel in federal MP Andrew Hastie's electorate of Canning, and Hastie, a future leadership contender and rival to current leader Sussan Ley, said the motion was about sending a "clear signal" to Australians. But what is that clear signal? The most obvious signal is that the "sensible centre" Liberal Party that Ley seeks to lead and portray exists as nothing more than an illusion. While Ley sat on the fence on net zero when asked where she stood last week — a dangerous place for any leader to sit — she was positive about the importance of the Welcome to Country ceremony opening the parliament. It puts her at odds with many in her party who want to continue the culture war that derailed the last week of Peter Dutton's campaign. I say derailed because voters were looking for a clear economic narrative and vision from the opposition leader. Instead, they got served more of the same. The fact that these two issues — net zero and Welcome to Country — are becoming the defining fault lines inside the Liberal Party is all the evidence you need that the wars of the past are being fought again, instead of the party engaging with the issues that are defining the future. Labor, for its part, will tackle its level of commitment to Indigenous issues of treaty and truth, and criminal justice when its First Nations caucus meets this week in Canberra. There's a strong feeling in the party that they must not squander the thumping majority they have been delivered, with many believing that advancing Aboriginal rights issues needs to be revisited. A sign of Labor confidence after week one of the 48th parliament is a debate going on about whether the five Labor MPs who have been seated on the opposition benches because the party's numbers are too big have got the rough end of the deal or a sweet blessing. One told me it provides a "fresh perspective" on the house. They are now working on a name for their group of five Labor members. Latest contenders are "the Happy Bench" or "the CrossReds." Either way, it's a good problem to have. The issue many Labor MPs are thinking of as we enter week two of the first sitting fortnight is what more Australia should be doing to denounce the humanitarian horror unfolding in Gaza. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released a strong statement about the worsening humanitarian crisis, calling on Israel to end its blockade of aid and immediately comply with its obligations under international law. The opposition said the statement was "one-sided" and ignored Hamas's role in blocking aid. But France's plan to recognise Palestinian statehood is changing the direction many think the government needs to take. Former foreign minister Bob Carr and Labor backbencher Ed Husic think it's time to change course. These prominent Labor figures are urging Albanese's government to join French President Emmanuel Macron in recognising a Palestinian state at a United Nations summit in September, in a bid to create momentum for a two-state solution. Yesterday, on Insiders, the PM poured cold water on the prospect of following France. But Labor insiders still hold hope that this position could shift if there is movement from like-minded countries, like the UK, before that September meeting. Albanese told Insiders a decision by the Israeli government to allow some aid into Gaza was "just a start" and more needs to be done. Albanese pointed to images of a starving one-year-old boy, saying, "It breaks your heart". "A one-year-old boy is not a Hamas fighter. The civilian casualties and deaths in Gaza is completely unacceptable. It's completely indefensible. My government has been very consistent in calling for a ceasefire," he said. "We have been consistent in calling out the terrorists in Hamas and saying that the hostages should be released. But we have rules of engagement, and they are there for a reason. They are to stop innocent lives being lost, and that is what we have seen." Albanese said he had been moved by the images of this "innocent young boy". "For anyone with any sense of humanity, you have to be moved by that. And you have to acknowledge that every innocent life matters — whether they be Israeli or Palestinian." The PM said, "we need to move to a longer-term" solution and he called for a two-state solution. Albanese previously said he had spoken to Israeli President Isaac Herzog to tell him Israel was losing support. "What I have said [to him] is that what sometimes friends have to say to their other friends when they are losing support," he said. "Israel is, I think, when you look at internationally, the statements that have been made by, including this week, more than two dozen nations combining to call out the lack of aid being allowed into Gaza, is that they need to recognise — they need to operate within international law. The message is clear: Israel is on notice from its traditional friends. The images of starving children in Gaza have crossed the Rubicon. Australians will not accept this. Patricia Karvelas is host of ABC News Afternoon Briefing at 4pm weekdays on ABC News Channel, co-host of the weekly Party Room podcast with Fran Kelly, and host of politics and news podcast Politics Now.
ABC News
10 minutes ago
- ABC News
Penny Wong says there are 'challenges' to overcome before Palestinian recognition can happen
Hamas and hostages are two of the key barriers to Australia recognising a Palestinian state, according to Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The Albanese government is now publicly weighing up the best time to take a long-discussed step in recognising a Palestinian state, which it says could help further a peace process. French President Emmanuel Macron's move to announce France's intention to recognise Palestine in September, and his hope that other countries would follow suit, has sparked renewed conversations about the issue in a number of like-minded countries. Anthony Albanese confirmed yesterday that Australia would not follow the French lead and take similar steps imminently. Last year Penny Wong made a public shift in thinking on recognition, arguing it could come as "part of a peace process", not only at the "end of a peace process". But speaking with the ABC, Ms Wong said there were still hurdles that needed to be overcome. "[The prime minister] made the point — there are challenges associated with this," she said. "We have to see Hamas demilitarised. We have to see the hostages released. "We need to see progress in terms of the Palestinian Authority and its moves to a more democratic and accountable governance, and it's pleasing to see some of that happening." She said the ultimate purpose of recognition had not changed. "Ultimately what we want to see is two states," she said. "Because that is the only way in which we will see peace, stability and security for both Israelis and Palestinians." Yesterday the prime minister said it was his view that Israel was "quite clearly" breaching international law in Gaza, particularly through blocking aid deliveries. But the foreign minister stopped short of indicating Australia was willing to take further steps to ensure those laws were adhered to. In recent days, Israel has commenced some aid drops into Gaza, said it would open "humanitarian corridors" to allow UN aid to enter the strip, and scheduled pauses in fighting in some heavily populated areas. The moves were seen by some as due to growing international pressure over starvation across the territory. Last week, the foreign minister signed a joint letter, alongside 27 other countries, criticising the "inhumane killing" of Palestinians and condemning the "drip feeding of aid". Asked what more Australia might do, Ms Wong pointed to the steps already being taken. "We are not the central player in the Middle East, but we can continue to do what we have done, which is to work with others to collectively assert to Israel the importance of international law," she said. Asked if the government was coordinating with other like-minded countries on recognition, so as to move as one, Ms Wong said there was regular dialogue. "Obviously there's been a lot of engagement between the UK and US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand," she said. "These countries have worked together very closely, if you look at the statements that our leaders and foreign ministers have made over the months of this conflict, and we will continue to do that." Labor's rank and file, and some high-profile former MP's, are building pressure on the party to move faster on recognition. Labor's official party platform, which is non-binding on the parliamentary party, calls for recognition to be "an important priority". Former foreign minister Bob Carr said Australia should not be waiting for others to move before taking its own steps. "Australia's a middle power and our influence is indirect. We build our influence on this issue by working with like-minded [countries]," he said. "We shouldn't be giving the impression that we're waiting till Downing St decides to move before we will. "The opinion of Indonesia is more important to us than the opinion of the United Kingdom." The party is also facing pressure from its base, with Labor branches passing coordinated motions for stronger action on the conflict. Peter Moss from the group Labor Friends of Palestine said 81 Labor branches across the country had in recent weeks passed a motion calling for sanctions against Israel, including branches he believed represented "middle Australia". "Seven branches on the New South Wales Central Coast, another handful in Toowoomba," he said. "People we've never heard of contacting us from all over Australia saying, 'Can we get your motion? We want to pass this.' "And they do." But some in the Australian Jewish community are backing a cautious approach from the government. Alex Ryvchin, the co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said "symbolic" recognition would not be worthwhile. "Those who are truly concerned about human rights, about Palestinian statehood and sovereignty should be calling for the establishment of democratic institutions," he said. "For the hard work of actually building the state from the ground rather than symbolic declarations which achieve nothing."
