Western Australian Senator Dorinda Cox quits Greens over perceived extremism, defects to Labor Party
Sources told Sky News that Ms Cox's decision was a result of her reaction to what was seen as increasing extremism from Greens deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi.
The decision reduces the Greens' Senate numbers from 11 to 10 and lifts Labor's to 28—still short of the 38 needed for a majority.
Ms Cox, a former Indigenous police officer from Western Australia, approached the Prime Minister's Office in recent weeks expressing frustration with the direction of the Greens.
It's understood Labor believes her decision was influenced by recent leadership changes and dissatisfaction with some elements of the Greens' agenda.
Ms Cox has been a controversial figure within the Greens, having faced allegations of bullying from former staff members.
However, the Labor Party has confidence that it thoroughly examined these allegations before approving her admission to the party.
Standing alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Perth, Ms Cox confirmed her switch to Labor and said she looked forward to contributing as a member of the government.
'I am very, very grateful for this opportunity and I want to thank the Labor team for welcoming me,' she said.
'I've spoken to the Prime Minister about the work I would like to do in the future…I will continue to be focused and committed to the work in my home state of WA.
'I look forward to serving as a proud Labor Senator in the 48th Parliament.'
The Prime Minister welcomed Cox's decision, describing her as a valuable addition to the government benches.
'I know she's looking forward to working in a united, cohesive team, building a better future not just for the people of Western Australia, but for the people of Australia,' he said.
'Dorinda Cox is someone who's a former police officer. She's someone who has a lot to offer in terms of policy development.'
Mr Albanese confirmed that Cox had approached Labor 'recently' and that there had been 'more discussions in recent days than we had in previous years.'
Ms Cox was first appointed to the Senate in 2021 to fill a casual Greens vacancy and was re-elected in 2022.
She was previously a Labor branch member before switching parties under the mentorship of then-Greens Senator Rachel Siewert.
Greens leader Larissa Waters condemned her former colleague's decision and said she had only been informed of the move an hour before it was announced.
'The Greens are disappointed in Senator Cox's decision to leave the Greens and join the Labor party as a backbencher,' Ms Waters said.
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