Australian news and politics recap June 2: Greens Senator Dorinda Cox leaves party to join Labor

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Scroll back through for updates on what Erin Patterson said as she took the stand in her triple-murder trial, former Greens Senator Dorinda Cox’s comments after defecting to the Labor Party, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s stance on defence and more.

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New Greens leader Larissa Waters has said she’s “disappointed” by Senator Dorinda Cox’s decision to join the Labor party as a backbencher but wished her well.

In a statement, Senator Waters said she had only been advised of the decision just prior to Senator Cox’s Perth press conference with Anthony Albanese.

“The Greens are disappointed in Senator Cox’s decision to leave,” she said.

“Senator Cox has said that her values align with the Labor party.

“This is the same Labor party who this week approved the climate wrecking North West Shelf gas project, which UNESCO advises will destroy significant First Nations heritage and ancient rock art.

“Senator Cox would have had more chance of effecting change by continuing to work with the Greens in the sole balance of power.

“We wish her well.”

Dorinda Cox’s deflection decision is understood not to be a lack of support for new Greens senator Larissa Waters but more over the WA branch’s efforts to oust her from the party.

The WA Greens Senator has previously been accused of bullying office staff and in October last year issued a statement apologising to staff for the “distress”.

She had said: “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.”

It’s understood another driver of Senator Cox’s decision to jump ship came as she was worried about pre-selection at the next election.

The deflection was a bombshell on Monday when announced at the Prime Minister’s Perth press conference.

During the press conference, Senator Cox said she had worked hard behind the scenes during the recent Federal election campaign to help fellow Senator Jordan Steele-John.

“I was committed to the work that I was doing in the Greens,” she said. “I was out campaigning as the support office to Senator Steele-John, and we returned him to the Senate as part of that.

“What I will say is that my loyalty during the time that I campaigned for the Greens was to deliver and return our 11 senators and our one House of representative member.”

Anthony Albanese has shut down his Perth press conference on Monday after WA Senator Dorinda Cox was peppered with questions about the North West Shelf.

Senator Cox was unveiling her surprise shift to Labor after walking away from the Greens when reporters began asking about her thoughts on Murray Watt’s recent provisional approval of the project to 2070.

The greenlight has faced opposition from the Greens, environmental and cultural heritage groups.

“I would need to look at the provisional approval that’s been made by Minister Watt. Again, I wouldn’t like to make any public commentary on what those restrictions are,” she said.

Shortly afterward the PM stepped in: “Can I perhaps make a comment as well?”

He then went on to talk about her shift to Labor and why he decided to join the Labor party as a “very young man”.

“The reason why Dorinda has made this decision is the same reason why all those years ago, as a very young man, I made a decision to join the Labor Party, that you want to make a difference,” he said.

“The values that Dorinda has are perfectly consistent with the values of the Labor Party.

“And I’m sure that she will pursue those as a member of the caucus.

“Thank you very much, and I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

Dorinda Cox said she called new Greens leader Larissa Waters and told her she was walking away from the party half an hour before her public announcement.

Ms Cox revealed she would ditch the Greens in favour of Labor alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Perth on Monday.

When asked:”When did you let Larissa Waters know this decision, and what was that conversation like?”

Ms Cox said: “I let Senator Waters know my decision about an hour and a half ago.

“I called her and I had a very good conversation with Larissa.

“I have a good personal relationship with her as the leader of the Greens, and she wished me well on my future prospects.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the party’s National Executive Committee will admit Dorinda Cox to the party tomorrow.

Mr Albanese said Ms Cox has previously been a Labor party member and welcomed her back.

“She has been a member of the Labor Party in the past,” he said in Perth on Monday.

“I must say that Dorinda and I have had more discussions in recent days than we had in previous years, and that’s the nature of the Senate and the House of Representatives in Canberra.

“Senator Cox didn’t ask for anything, just asked for this to be considered.

“The National Executive Committee of the Labor Party met yesterday afternoon, and Senator Cox will be admitted to the Labor Party as a member tomorrow to the Western Australian branch.”

Dorinda Cox says she looks forward to “serving as a proud Labor Senator” after ditching the Greens this afternoon.

Senator Cox said “deep reflection” led her to the decision and she wanted to “build on” the “existing relationships with an already amazing team of Labor MPs across the country”.

“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, and I look forward to serving as a proud Labor Senator in the 48th Parliament.”

Former Greens Senator Dorinda Cox has announced she is leaving the party and joining the Labor party.

Speaking alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Perth on Monday she revealed the bombshell shift.

“I would like to welcome Senator Cox back to the Australian Labor Party and to our Labor government,” the PM said.

Mr Fitzgibbons said: “The Australian people need to understand that our strategic environment has deteriorated in this region, the warning window is narrowing and I think there should be stronger community support for a greater level of government spending.”

“The defence strategic (review) does demand that we spend more, invest more and it does give us clear guidance on whether money should be spent.

“The Government is spending a lot more money. It’s spending $10 billion additional over the forward estimates. We (need to) spend it at a pace which is sustainable.”

He said Anthony Albanese having two defence-focused portfolios was “a powerful signal” that the Government was shifting its mind to the increasing threat.

Former Labor Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon has said he would like Australia’s defence spending to increase, but in the right areas and not because of US demands for it to rise.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth showed a demand for Australia to boost its defence spending as soon as possible to Defence Minister Richard Marles on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last week.

Speaking on ABC Afternoon Briefing, Mr Fitzgibbon said the defence strategic review did demand a bigger spend but insisted it had to be deliberate and the Australian public had to recognise the importance of it.

“I’d like it to be higher. I absolutely agree that it’s not just about the quantum, it’s not about spending more, it’s about spending smarter and more efficiently,” he said.

“You cannot expect (Government) to spend a lot more if the electorate is not demanding they spend more.”