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Greens defend internal complaints process after Tammy Franks's shock resignation

Greens defend internal complaints process after Tammy Franks's shock resignation

The South Australian Greens have hit back at former party co-leader Tammy Franks, a day after the upper house MP walked out on the party, labelling her comments "deeply regrettable and inappropriate".
A day after Greens internal tensions exploded into public view with Ms Franks's resignation, the party said its investigation into complaints against her found she had "engaged in misconduct".
Ms Franks denies any wrongdoing, describing allegations against her as "unsubstantiated and false".
She resigned from the Greens on Tuesday to sit as a "progressive independent" in the upper house, leaving the party with just one MP in parliament.
The veteran Greens MP, who had already flagged she would not stand for re-election in 2026, also went public with a scathing critique of the party's internal procedures, claiming there were people in the party who "wanted me to move on".
She claimed there were "some 100-plus pages" of allegations made against her that "weren't particularised into something that would fit anybody's definition of misconduct".
"I joined a political party that should have had processes that when an allegation was made, it should have been investigated properly," she said on Tuesday.
"The complaints included that I'd used voice-to-text to send emails and messages.
"I used voice-to-text for a short period of time because I was going through menopause and had extreme joint pain and couldn't hold pieces of paper or pens.
"I find it ludicrous that that was one of the charges against me."
Ms Franks said another misconduct charge she faced was that she had "disrupted meetings" she was chairing with her staff.
"I challenge anyone to explain how I'm meant to chair a meeting and give my staff direction and run a functional office without taking lead in that situation," she said.
Ms Franks said she intended to "take action" against the Greens for "unfair and oppressive behaviour" under the Associations and Corporations Act.
After only releasing a brief statement on Tuesday that did not address Ms Franks's claims, the SA Greens on Wednesday defended its internal party processes.
The minor party said there were "complaints raised in relation to the behaviour of Ms Tammy Franks MLC".
"The party acted on these complaints and undertook a process where it was found that Ms Franks had engaged in misconduct," the Greens said in a statement.
"That finding was upheld by the party's state council.
"The process was carried out in accordance with Greens SA by-laws and constitution.
"The party acted on, and implemented, the recommendations resulting from that process."
The Greens added that Ms Franks's decision to "publicly criticise the complainants" was "deeply regretful and inappropriate".
Ms Franks told the ABC on Wednesday the misconduct findings against her were upheld by the party but "were not investigated by an independent body and no procedural fairness was followed".
Greens MLC Robert Simms, now the only Green in South Australia's parliament, said he had "no idea" his co-leader was going to resign on Tuesday.
"I did know though … that she had been frustrated or feeling unhappy for some time," he told ABC Radio Adelaide on Wednesday.
"I did think there was a chance that something like this could happen at some point, but I had hoped that that wasn't going to be the case."
Mr Simms, a former senator who has been in state parliament since 2021, said it had been "a difficult 24 hours" and he "tried to support Tammy as best as I can".
"But these things do happen in political parties from time to time."
He also denied there was a culture problem within the Greens and defended the party's internal processes, saying: "I respect our party processes and our procedures — I think they're pretty robust."
"But of course there's always an opportunity to do things differently and the party regularly reviews our internal policies and procedures," he said.
Asked about the voice-to-text complaint Ms Franks said was raised against her, Mr Simms said he did not have "any details of the specifics of the complaint".
"Our party misconduct processes are confidential … it's not one that's run by MPs, it's run by the political party exec committee that's set up to run that," he said.
"And so out of respect for the people who are involved in that process and their privacy, I don't want to comment on what might have been involved in that process."
Mr Simms's chief of staff, Melanie Selwood, was preselected in December for the number one spot on the Greens' upper house ticket, after Ms Franks announced in September she would not stand again.
Ms Franks said she has "no current plans" to run as an independent in 2026 but "I don't rule anything out".

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Australia, UK to sanction Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich
Australia, UK to sanction Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich

ABC News

time43 minutes ago

  • ABC News

Australia, UK to sanction Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich

Australia has issued sanctions against two of the most controversial members of Israel's government, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. The pair have been hit by the joint action from the Australian, British, Canadian, New Zealand and Norwegian governments, enforcing travel bans and freezing their assets. In a statement, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the sanctions have been announced in response to the pair's incitement of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Mr Ben-Gvir serves as National Security Minister in Israeli Prime Minister's Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government, while Mr Smotrich is the finance minister. They are two of the most outspoken far-right politicians calling for the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, and have also agitated for continuing fighting in Gaza and the return of Jewish settlements in the strip. Mr Smotrich has said he would allow "not even a grain of wheat" to enter Gaza, adding that the strip would be "entirely destroyed" during the war. Mr Ben-Gvir has called for the Palestinian population to be pushed out of Gaza, saying "we must encourage emigration." He has also repeatedly fuelled tensions in Jerusalem's Old City by insisting Jewish people can pray on the Temple Mount, something reserved solely for Muslim worship, and the replacement of the Al-Aqsa mosque with a synagogue. The joint statement from the UK, Australian, Norweigan and Canadian foreign ministers, said: "Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. "Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous. These actions are not acceptable. "We have engaged the Israeli Government on this issue extensively, yet violent perpetrators continue to act with encouragement and impunity. This is why we have taken this action now – to hold those responsible to account. "The Israeli Government must uphold its obligations under international law and we call on it to take meaningful action to end extremist, violent and expansionist rhetoric." Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said the Israeli government had been informed about a "UK decision to include two of our ministers on the British sanctions list". "It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to this kind of measures," he said. "I discussed it earlier today with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and we will hold a special government meeting early next week to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision." The sanctions were first reported by British newspaper The Times, prompting early responses from Mr Ben-Gvir and Mr Smotrich directed at the UK government. "We passed Pharaoh, we will also pass Starmer's wall," Mr Ben-Gvir said. "I will continue to work for the State of Israel and the people of Israel without fear or intimidation." Mr Smotrich said he viewed the decision with contempt. "Britain has already tried once to prevent us from settling the cradle of our homeland, and we cannot do it again," he said. "We are determined God willing to continue building." The UK has sharpened its criticism of Israel in recent weeks, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer foreshadowed sanctions against Israel in a joint statement with Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron. Israel's humanitarian blockade of Gaza has been roundly criticised by leaders, with French President Emmanuel Macron labelling it as "shameful."

'Options considered': state's snap election call on ice
'Options considered': state's snap election call on ice

The Advertiser

timean hour ago

  • The Advertiser

'Options considered': state's snap election call on ice

Tasmania faces days of political uncertainty with a request by the state's embattled premier for a snap poll being considered by the governor. Jeremy Rockliff made the drive to Government House on Tuesday evening to meet with Governor Barbara Baker, five days after he lost the confidence of the parliament. "Following their conversation, Her Excellency is now taking the time necessary to give due consideration to all available options," Government House official secretary David Hughes said. "By the end of the week the premier will meet with Her Excellency again. Further statements will be made in due course." Mr Rockliff has refused to resign after losing Thursday's vote of no-confidence, putting the state on a seemingly unavoidable collision course with an election. It is not clear whether Ms Baker will ask the Liberals to find a new leader and premier, which would remove the need for a poll. Former senator Eric Abetz, Deputy Premier Guy Barnett and ex-deputy Michael Ferguson are among Liberal leadership options. Labor, which has just 10 seats, has ruled out forming a minority government in alliance with the five-seat Greens plus members of the crossbench. Tasmania is staring down the barrel of its fourth election in seven years. The Liberals were returned to power in minority in March 2024 with 14 of 35 lower-house seats. "I respect the need for her excellency to take the appropriate time to consider important matters of state," Mr Rockliff said in a statement. "I remain committed to serving the people of Tasmania." The no-confidence motion was put forward by Labor and supported by the Greens and three crossbench independent MPs. Labor said the motion against Mr Rockliff was necessary because of his financial "mismanagement" and poor handling of delayed and over-budget new Bass Strait ferries. Labor was ready to contest an election, MP Josh Willie told parliament. His party would enter a campaign without veteran MP and Speaker Michelle O'Byrne, who announced on Tuesday she would not run again. Ms O'Byrne, elected to state parliament in 2006, criticised parliament's dysfunction. "If minority government is the way of the future then it requires us all to behave differently," she told parliament. "We have to have the maturity to not do things just because we can. The events of the last week have proven that." Election battle lines have already been drawn, with the Liberals dropping a plan to investigate public asset sales and announcing former federal MP Bridget Archer would run in Bass. Liberal MP Felix Ellis said the party was "united" behind Mr Rockliff. A plan for a $945 million stadium at Hobart's Macquarie Point, a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL in 2028, is likely to be a major issue for potential voters. The project is backed by the Liberals and Labor but the Greens and several crossbenchers are opposed. Recent opinion polling showed 60 per cent of Tasmanians were also against the development. Tasmania faces days of political uncertainty with a request by the state's embattled premier for a snap poll being considered by the governor. Jeremy Rockliff made the drive to Government House on Tuesday evening to meet with Governor Barbara Baker, five days after he lost the confidence of the parliament. "Following their conversation, Her Excellency is now taking the time necessary to give due consideration to all available options," Government House official secretary David Hughes said. "By the end of the week the premier will meet with Her Excellency again. Further statements will be made in due course." Mr Rockliff has refused to resign after losing Thursday's vote of no-confidence, putting the state on a seemingly unavoidable collision course with an election. It is not clear whether Ms Baker will ask the Liberals to find a new leader and premier, which would remove the need for a poll. Former senator Eric Abetz, Deputy Premier Guy Barnett and ex-deputy Michael Ferguson are among Liberal leadership options. Labor, which has just 10 seats, has ruled out forming a minority government in alliance with the five-seat Greens plus members of the crossbench. Tasmania is staring down the barrel of its fourth election in seven years. The Liberals were returned to power in minority in March 2024 with 14 of 35 lower-house seats. "I respect the need for her excellency to take the appropriate time to consider important matters of state," Mr Rockliff said in a statement. "I remain committed to serving the people of Tasmania." The no-confidence motion was put forward by Labor and supported by the Greens and three crossbench independent MPs. Labor said the motion against Mr Rockliff was necessary because of his financial "mismanagement" and poor handling of delayed and over-budget new Bass Strait ferries. Labor was ready to contest an election, MP Josh Willie told parliament. His party would enter a campaign without veteran MP and Speaker Michelle O'Byrne, who announced on Tuesday she would not run again. Ms O'Byrne, elected to state parliament in 2006, criticised parliament's dysfunction. "If minority government is the way of the future then it requires us all to behave differently," she told parliament. "We have to have the maturity to not do things just because we can. The events of the last week have proven that." Election battle lines have already been drawn, with the Liberals dropping a plan to investigate public asset sales and announcing former federal MP Bridget Archer would run in Bass. Liberal MP Felix Ellis said the party was "united" behind Mr Rockliff. A plan for a $945 million stadium at Hobart's Macquarie Point, a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL in 2028, is likely to be a major issue for potential voters. The project is backed by the Liberals and Labor but the Greens and several crossbenchers are opposed. Recent opinion polling showed 60 per cent of Tasmanians were also against the development. Tasmania faces days of political uncertainty with a request by the state's embattled premier for a snap poll being considered by the governor. Jeremy Rockliff made the drive to Government House on Tuesday evening to meet with Governor Barbara Baker, five days after he lost the confidence of the parliament. "Following their conversation, Her Excellency is now taking the time necessary to give due consideration to all available options," Government House official secretary David Hughes said. "By the end of the week the premier will meet with Her Excellency again. Further statements will be made in due course." Mr Rockliff has refused to resign after losing Thursday's vote of no-confidence, putting the state on a seemingly unavoidable collision course with an election. It is not clear whether Ms Baker will ask the Liberals to find a new leader and premier, which would remove the need for a poll. Former senator Eric Abetz, Deputy Premier Guy Barnett and ex-deputy Michael Ferguson are among Liberal leadership options. Labor, which has just 10 seats, has ruled out forming a minority government in alliance with the five-seat Greens plus members of the crossbench. Tasmania is staring down the barrel of its fourth election in seven years. The Liberals were returned to power in minority in March 2024 with 14 of 35 lower-house seats. "I respect the need for her excellency to take the appropriate time to consider important matters of state," Mr Rockliff said in a statement. "I remain committed to serving the people of Tasmania." The no-confidence motion was put forward by Labor and supported by the Greens and three crossbench independent MPs. Labor said the motion against Mr Rockliff was necessary because of his financial "mismanagement" and poor handling of delayed and over-budget new Bass Strait ferries. Labor was ready to contest an election, MP Josh Willie told parliament. His party would enter a campaign without veteran MP and Speaker Michelle O'Byrne, who announced on Tuesday she would not run again. Ms O'Byrne, elected to state parliament in 2006, criticised parliament's dysfunction. "If minority government is the way of the future then it requires us all to behave differently," she told parliament. "We have to have the maturity to not do things just because we can. The events of the last week have proven that." Election battle lines have already been drawn, with the Liberals dropping a plan to investigate public asset sales and announcing former federal MP Bridget Archer would run in Bass. Liberal MP Felix Ellis said the party was "united" behind Mr Rockliff. A plan for a $945 million stadium at Hobart's Macquarie Point, a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL in 2028, is likely to be a major issue for potential voters. The project is backed by the Liberals and Labor but the Greens and several crossbenchers are opposed. Recent opinion polling showed 60 per cent of Tasmanians were also against the development. Tasmania faces days of political uncertainty with a request by the state's embattled premier for a snap poll being considered by the governor. Jeremy Rockliff made the drive to Government House on Tuesday evening to meet with Governor Barbara Baker, five days after he lost the confidence of the parliament. "Following their conversation, Her Excellency is now taking the time necessary to give due consideration to all available options," Government House official secretary David Hughes said. "By the end of the week the premier will meet with Her Excellency again. Further statements will be made in due course." Mr Rockliff has refused to resign after losing Thursday's vote of no-confidence, putting the state on a seemingly unavoidable collision course with an election. It is not clear whether Ms Baker will ask the Liberals to find a new leader and premier, which would remove the need for a poll. Former senator Eric Abetz, Deputy Premier Guy Barnett and ex-deputy Michael Ferguson are among Liberal leadership options. Labor, which has just 10 seats, has ruled out forming a minority government in alliance with the five-seat Greens plus members of the crossbench. Tasmania is staring down the barrel of its fourth election in seven years. The Liberals were returned to power in minority in March 2024 with 14 of 35 lower-house seats. "I respect the need for her excellency to take the appropriate time to consider important matters of state," Mr Rockliff said in a statement. "I remain committed to serving the people of Tasmania." The no-confidence motion was put forward by Labor and supported by the Greens and three crossbench independent MPs. Labor said the motion against Mr Rockliff was necessary because of his financial "mismanagement" and poor handling of delayed and over-budget new Bass Strait ferries. Labor was ready to contest an election, MP Josh Willie told parliament. His party would enter a campaign without veteran MP and Speaker Michelle O'Byrne, who announced on Tuesday she would not run again. Ms O'Byrne, elected to state parliament in 2006, criticised parliament's dysfunction. "If minority government is the way of the future then it requires us all to behave differently," she told parliament. "We have to have the maturity to not do things just because we can. The events of the last week have proven that." Election battle lines have already been drawn, with the Liberals dropping a plan to investigate public asset sales and announcing former federal MP Bridget Archer would run in Bass. Liberal MP Felix Ellis said the party was "united" behind Mr Rockliff. A plan for a $945 million stadium at Hobart's Macquarie Point, a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL in 2028, is likely to be a major issue for potential voters. The project is backed by the Liberals and Labor but the Greens and several crossbenchers are opposed. Recent opinion polling showed 60 per cent of Tasmanians were also against the development.

PM announces national roundtable to boost productivity
PM announces national roundtable to boost productivity

SBS Australia

time3 hours ago

  • SBS Australia

PM announces national roundtable to boost productivity

"That footage was horrific." Anthony Albanese has voiced his support for the Australian journalist shot with a rubber bullet while covering immigration protests in Los Angeles. The PM praised Nine correspondent Lauren Tomasi, saying she was clearly identified as press, and should not have been targeted. "And so, we have already raised these issues with the US administration. We don't find it acceptable that it occurred and we think the role of the media is particularly important." As the incident garners international headlines, LA Police chief Jim McDonnel has also expressed his concern. " I know the situation you're referring to with the member of the media. We saw that we're very concerned about that and we're looking into that." But Anthony Albanese stopped short of committing to raising the incident at the G7, where he is expected to meet with President Donald Trump on the sidelines next week. "Discussions I have with the president, are discussions between myself and the president." There's little doubt those discussions will turn to tariffs, as Australia seeks an exemption from US import levies, and seeks to promote free and fair global trade. Speaking at the National Press Club today Mr Albanese's big announcement was on economic issues, particularly productivity growth. "Making our way forward depends on what all of us can work together to achieve, and that's why I've asked the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, to convene a roundtable to support and shape our government's growth and productivity agenda. At Parliament House in August, we'll bring together a group of leaders from the business community, the union movement and civil society." He says the government wants to build the broadest base possible to support further economic reform. The move has been welcomed by the Australian Industry Group. Chief Executive Innes Willox says Australia's productivity performance has been woeful, even before the pandemic, and the summit is perfectly timed. Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Andrew McKellar also welcomed the news. "There are few more critical issues than productivity for the Australian economy. In the end, that's the only way that we're going to get sustainable increases in living standards going forward. So, from a business point of view, we're keen to participate. We will come with constructive ideas, suggestions how to improve productivity going forward. We want to see an ambitious agenda from the government. " Shadow Minister for Productivity and Deregulation Andrew Bragg blamed Labor for poor productivity and warned of the risk of another "Canberra talkfest". He says the Liberal Party is willing to be constructive but will judge the result on the volume of regulation removed and adoption of policies to promote private investment. Senator Bragg also called for an end to what he called "the war on small business". Andrew McKellar says he wants to see changes for small business too. " It's about doing things like cutting red tape, so making it easier for small business simply to comply, you know, to focus on doing the things that you know are better for business and better for people who are working in jobs. So, you know, it's not about working harder. It's about working smarter. It's about doing things simple, things like cutting red tape." The productivity roundtable has been quickly compared with the Jobs and Skills Summit Labor held in its first term, which received a mixed reception. Liberal MP for Flinders, Zoe McKenzie, offered this lukewarm reception on ABC Afternoon Briefing. "Productivity is absolutely a key issue in terms of the Australian economy at the moment, and may I say, has already been for years. We see a very sluggish Australian economy, multiple quarters of negative growth on a per capita basis, and the government's solution is a round table. Unbelievable. It's like the Job Summit 2.0, the next edition, the unions didn't get everything they wanted last time - they seemed to get most of what they wanted as far as I could tell - and now they go on in for more, but this time we're going to call it a productivity round table, and hope for the best." Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young was more positive - pushing for a greater focus on women's workforce participation. "Well one of the first and best things the Prime minister could do to boost productivity is to help more women participate in the workforce, and that would be by making childcare genuinely free, so that mums and dads can participate in the workforce, and know that their children will be cared for by good quality educators in an affordable manner." No doubt the unions and civil society will have their say at the roundtable too, if not before.

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