Senator Dorinda Cox has been censured by her state branch of the Greens over allegations of bullying party officials into investigating the allegations.
The reprimand comes after it was revealed that 20 employees had left their office in three years, with some claiming they had worked in a toxic workplace and one revealing they had become suicidal.
The fact that WA Greens state director Dean Smith and co-conveners Chloe Durand and Nat Tang have decided to begin formal investigations into the allegations puts the spotlight back on federal party leader Adam Bandt. who has evaded questions on the subject.
WA Greens officials have sent all state party members an email, which has been obtained by The ageon the topic.
The email states that “any allegation of bullying and misconduct by a member of our party, especially one in a position of power and influence, is cause for serious concern.”
“We expect all our MPs to behave in line with Green values… Senator Cox has received a censure from our Representative Council’s Rapid Decision-Making Group,” the email said.
Although censure does not imply any additional punishment, it is considered very embarrassing for the senator and may even jeopardize her preselection if she decides to run again in the elections in 2028.
“Many of the people who have been recorded or named in these articles are active Greens contributors,” the email continues.
Senator Dorinda Cox has been censured by her state branch of the Greens over harassment allegations
‘We are deeply saddened to hear of your experiences both in the movement and in navigating the Parliamentary Workers Support System (PWSS).
‘We want to express our support to those who have spoken and to all those who are considering doing so.
“We are committed to investigating any allegations, delivering a fair outcome and supporting those affected by such behaviour.”
On Friday, Senator Cox, a Yamatji-Noongar woman and former police officer, apologized for any “defects” in her office and attributed staff burnout to the heavy workload.
In a complaint sent to the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS) in 2021, a former employee claimed to have witnessed “disturbing behaviour” by Ms Cox towards colleagues.
“These experiences made me worry about my safety and the safety of others in the office,” the employee told the publication.
“I spent a lot of the time feeling like I was walking on eggshells waiting for Dorinda to explode on me.”
A draft complaint lodged by another staff member which was not formally lodged stated that Ms Cox would apologize for her actions “but the behavior would continue”.
Greens leader Adam Bandt (pictured left with Greens Senator Steph Hodgins-May) has so far dodged questions about Senator Cox and accusations of bullying.
“I often became aggressive, persistently negative, and sometimes cruel, which ultimately resulted in my mental health deteriorating to the point of having daily panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, and an almost complete loss of self-esteem in my professional capacity,” he wrote. the former employee. in the draft complaint.
“At that time I felt that if I did not resign from my position, my mental health would deteriorate to the point that I would require medical intervention in a hospital, something I communicated to the chief of staff in Adam Bandt’s office.”
It is understood four formal complaints were made to the PWSS and five referred to Greens leader Adam Bandt’s office.
Another former employee, aunt Esther Montgomery, who worked with Ms Cox for six weeks earlier this year, claimed the senator was a “bully” who “constantly put me down”.
“She would put me down psychologically… She’s not a violet to cower,” Ms. Montgomery told the publication.
When asked about the complaints on Thursday, Bandt interrupted a news conference and declined to comment beyond saying the Federal Parliamentary Workplace Support Service was in the best position to address the matter.
Cox became the seventh Aboriginal politician in the current federal parliament when she was sworn in in October 2021.
He joined the WA Police as a cadet at the age of 17.
During her eight years of police service, Ms Cox worked with trafficking, child abuse and youth aid teams, as well as carrying out frontline roles including handling domestic violence and theft complaints.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Cox for comment.
Lifeline: 131 114
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au
Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au