Greens leader Larissa Waters has defended her party's commitment to First Nations justice following the departure of its only Indigenous federal MP.
On Monday, Yamatji-Noongar Senator Dorinda Cox, who served as the Greens' spokesperson for Indigenous Affairs, resigned to join the Labor Party — leaving the Greens without a First Nations representative in Federal Parliament.
Her exit follows that of now-Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe, who left the party in 2023 over disagreements with its support for the Voice referendum.
Asked on the ABC why two Indigenous women had left the party in as many years, Senator Waters said there were "two very different reasons" behind their departures.
"Senator Thorpe has gone on to be a really strong voice in the parliament and I'm sure Senator Cox will continue to work for the issues that are meaningful for her," she said.
"But the Greens remain entirely committed to strong advocacy on truth-telling, on treaties, on justice, on healing, on reparations. Our policies are still very firm for First Nations justice and we won't be changing course in that regard."
Senator Waters said the party still has a number of active grassroots First Nations members, and added she is "not convinced" Labor will follow through on truth-telling and treaty.
Last week, Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said she was "very much open to listening to what people have to say," when asked whether truth-telling and treaty would progress this term.
Senator Cox's defection followed her unsuccessful bids in the recent Greens leadership ballot, where she ran against Senator Mehreen Faruqi for deputy and Senator Penny Allman-Payne for deputy whip.
Prior to the vote, the Greens' First Nations Network — also known as the Blak Greens — publicly supported Senator Faruqi's leadership bid.
Media reports suggest Senator Cox, a former Labor member before joining the Greens, was deeply frustrated by the outcome, which may have contributed to her decision to leave. She was also reportedly concerned about her placement on the WA Greens Senate ticket for the 2028 election, when her current six-year term ends.
Senator Cox has also faced workplace bullying allegations, with reports that up to 20 staffers had left her office in three years and complaints were made to parliamentary workplace support services.
Speaking alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday, the first Indigenous woman to represent WA in the federal upper house said: "I am very, very grateful for this opportunity and I want to thank the Labor team for welcoming me, and I've spoken to the Prime Minister about the work I would like to do in the future as a member of a party of government."
Senator Cox said her priorities and values now aligned more closely with Labor — despite having criticised the Albanese government last year for being "not interested" in Closing the Gap.
The Prime Minister used the moment to criticise the Greens, saying the party had "lost their way".
"I think having to sit in the Senate while the Greens blocked funding for public housing would grate against anyone who regards themselves as progressive," Mr Albanese told ABC Radio on Tuesday.
Senator Waters, who said she was informed of Senator Cox's resignation just an hour before it was made public, said their conversation had been respectful.
"I had a very calm and measured conversation about it," she said. "I did genuinely wish her all the best."
"I have no — there's no animosity there."
She added: "It's disappointing for us to lose a Greens senator. But Dorinda says her values lie [with Labor]… You need to be true to yourself, don't you?"
