Noongar Elder Uncle Hedley Hayward has resigned from the Australian Greens and his position as co-convenor of the Australian Greens First Nations Network, also known as the Blak Greens.

Mr Hayward, the co-Convenor of the Noongar Justice Network, recently wrote to the party to inform them that "reluctantly and with a heavy heart I resign on principle".

"I believe I have a duty to speak out. Poor governance and abuse of power have resulted in entrenched organisational bullying within the Australian Greens. I have grave concerns regarding the ongoing harm caused by systemic bullying in the Australian Greens federal space," he said.

While Mr Hayward praised former WA Greens Senator Rachael Siewert, who he wrote "always communicated honestly, timely and directly" as holder of the Indigenous affairs portfolio, and thanked "our many allies and grassroots members for their comradery and support, including the Greens WA office and our regional group", he said there has been "relentless bullying against grassroots active First Nation members from the federal party room and the federal governance space" for four years.

"Any Greens member who has the moral courage to call out bullying is undermined and bullied," he wrote.

"Many good people have left or stepped back. We had hoped the lateral violence would stop after changes in the AG (Australian Greens) federal party room and new leadership, but the bullying is only getting worse."

Mr Hayward wrote that the Murri Matters review, "initially a request for mediation from the Black Greens to form a working relationship with the Indigenous portfolio holder in early 2023", had "morphed into a weaponised grievance process that has been ongoing for well over a year".

"It is designed to remove the grassroots Aboriginal left and our extended network from the party and replace us with what is believed to be a more agreeable group," he said.

"We have repeatedly asked for mediation and to find a way forward for the sake of our shared cause. In WA our Aboriginal working group was stopped from operating in 2021. No reason given."

Mr Hayward alleged "some" in the Australian Greens "federal space appear to have breached the UNDRIP (UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) and various other laws including AG policies and the Greens principles of grassroots democracy and non-violence".

"Actions carried out by the Murri Matters review team include cyber bullying, where names and identifying information were included. These comments and rants were posted on the AG members website on the 18th June 2025 and include comments from a former Senator," he wrote.

"The allegations against the Black Greens are unsubstantiated and have not been properly investigated. We offered our records, yet they were not examined. Noongars and a number of active Black Greens members, were not interviewed despite requests.

"The report appears to be based on hearsay and fabrication. The Black Greens have the same funding arrangements as many other AG groups. There were never any problems yet our funding was stopped. This has not happened to any other Greens working group. It hampered our work and first nation candidates' campaigns."

Mr Hayward said noted that "respect is the foundation of our culture".

"The Murri Matters review has made allegations and insulting comments against Noongar Elders, yet we don't know these people and they don't know us or our work," he said.

He also said allegations of bullying in Western Australia, "after some members questioned a candidate's "preselection CV" in 2020, were never resolved.

Mr Hayward wrote that the Australian Greens "federal space is not a safe working environment, especially for grassroots First Nations people, young people and people from diverse backgrounds".

"We have written to Senator Waters (Australian Greens leader Larissa Waters), requesting an independent short-term review of the Australian Greens to establish a safe working culture and improve governance, including separation of powers, an independent long-term review of the Australian Greens for systemic change and an independent review of the Murri Matters review and the apparent vexatious grievance allegations, engaging a specialised law firm," he wrote.

"We have also requested an independent forensic audit. We have not heard back."

A spokesperson from the Australian Greens told National Indigenous Times that the party is "saddened by Uncle Hedley Hayward's resignation, but thank him for his long advocacy and wish him well".

"The Australian Greens have been undertaking an extensive consultation process to improve governance within the AGFNN (Australian Greens First Nations Network, also known as the Blak Greens), to ensure that all First Nations members of the party feel they can be included within the Network; take action within it supported by strong processes; and can use the Network to help shape the future of the party," they said.

"This work commenced prior to Uncle Hedley Hayward's commencement as AGFNN co-convenor.

"Significant work was undertaken during this consultation to ensure it adhered to principles of procedural fairness and co-design, and stayed true to the Greens core value of participatory democracy."

The Greens spokesperson said "We understand that as this process continues, some of the findings and outcomes from this independent, First Nations led process may be challenging to some members of the AGFNN".

"Throughout this process, the Greens will continue calling for the government for bold commitments on truth telling, treaties, action on systemic racism and incarceration rates, and serious funding and action to actually Close the Gap," they said.

Alongside the concerns outlined in his letter of resignation, Mr Hayward expressed gratitude to "our many allies and grassroots members for their comradery and support, including the Greens WA office and our regional group".

"I look forward to continuing to work with you," he said, noting that "our future generation face many challenges ahead… They deserve a Greens party worthy of inheritance, where we can all be our best, unite and fight for real change".

"Over the last 12 years we have met many wonderful people and forged strong friendships, some we see as family. It has been an honour to serve and work with the Black Greens and our network. We are strong, united and committed to our cause," he said.