2GB radio host claims ex Greens Dorinda Cox 'notorious bully' and questions 'arrangement' with Anthony Albanese after defecting to Labor
A talkback radio station host has accused Senator Dorinda Cox of being a "notorious bully" and raised questions about her defection from the Greens.
The Western Australian politician announced on Monday she is leaving the minor party and joining Labor over perceived extremism by its deputy, according to sources.
Senator Cox said she is "very, very grateful" for the opportunity offered by Labor and has spoken to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about her future role in the party.
However, 2GB radio host Ben Fordham on Tuesday questioned the "very murky arrangement" and accused the Greens defector of being a "notorious bully".
According to a Nine Newspapers report in 2024, 20 staff had quit their roles in her office in the space of three years with a number of women speaking out against Senator Cox.
Aunty Esther Montgomery - who worked as a community liaison in the politician's office - claimed she was repeatedly undermined and was not allowed out to meet people.
"She wouldn't allow me to collaborate with people on grassroots work. She would put me down, psychologically ... She's no shrinking violet," she said.
Another complaint made to the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service claimed she had witnessed "disturbing behaviour" towards her and other workers.
"These experiences made me concerned for my safety and for the safety of others in the office, I spent much of the time feeling like I was walking on eggshells just waiting for Dorinda to explode at me,' the complaint provided to the SMH read.
Fordham - who read out the details of the allegations on Tuesday morning - claimed Senator Cox had "became a record holder on HR complaints".
Mr Albanese was asked on Monday about the bullying allegations that had been levelled, saying the "issues were dealt with appropriately" after an examination by his team and that her "values are perfectly consistent with the values of the Labor Party".
The 2GB host argued that was not the case.
"What? Twenty staff members left her in three years, PM. One was even suicidal," Fordham said, adding those who complained raised issues about a "hostile culture".
"The workers complained about a hostile culture, several lodged formal complaints, they raised the alarm with the Greens leader (Adam Bandt at the time), they made their concerns clear to the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service."
Fordham went on to claim it is a "very murky arrangement".
Senator Cox - a Yamatji-Noongar woman - was running for a leadership position just weeks earlier after Mr Bandt lost his Melbourne seat, but she was unsuccessful.
Just last week, her name was attached to a Greens press release which hit out at Environment Minister Murray Watt for extending the North West Shelf gas project.
"Just a few weeks ago, Dorinda Cox was running for a leadership position in the Greens. Most of her policy positions run in direct conflict with Anthony Albanese's policy agenda. And how do you just ignore the bullying?" Fordham continued.
The talkback host then accused Mr Albanese of "turning a blind eye" on bullying claims, pointing to the death of the late senator Kimberley Kitching after allegations she had been picked on by Penny Wong, Kristina Keneally and Katy Gallagher.
The trio had released a statement later saying the "mean girls" allegations are "untrue". Ms Kitching died after suffering a heart attack on the side of a Melbourne road.
"Now he's welcomed into the tent a politician (Senator Cox) whose spent more time in the HR department than anyone else in Parliament House," the 2GB host said.
Senator Cox had last year apologised for any "distress" she may have caused but claimed Nine Newspaper's report was "missing context".
"There have been many challenges during my first three years in office including the COVID epidemic, taking on the First Nations portfolio alongside the Voice Referendum, and leading many significant committee inquiries," she said in a statement.
"All whilst establishing and recruiting two office based teams to secure my six-year term with the ambition of an effective, safe and supportive work environment.
"As the employer, I take responsibility for any shortcomings in what has occurred during this period and I apologise for the distress this may have caused."
Senator Cox's departure is another blow for the Greens after the it lost three of its four lower house seats in the election. The Labor Party, now with 29 senators, will still require the minor party to pass legislation through the upper house unopposed.
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