The problems have been exacerbated by a bitter internal dispute over whether party members are allowed to debate trans rights policies. The dispute has alienated sections of Greens members who have traditionally been drawn to tackling environmental issues and social inequalities.
The resignations come after Yarra councilor Amanda Stone and Merri-bek councilor James Conlan left the Greens last year over governance and policy issues. In recent months, Yarra City council, once dominated by the Greens, has been reduced to just two representatives after deputy mayor Anab Mohamud left the party.
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A Greens councilor in another local government, who is also considering resigning, described the walkouts as “a microcosm of a wider issue facing the party”. “There will be more,” they said.
In the 2020 municipal elections, 36 Greens representatives were elected to local government. That number dropped to 28 after a series of resignations from the party, one death and some councilors who were elected to state parliament were not replaced by the Greens instead.
Addressing Monash council on Tuesday night, de Silva, a postdoctoral fellow at Melbourne Law School, said the party he joined no longer existed.
“Over the past two years I have been increasingly appalled by the standard of behavior being demonstrated and encouraged in Victorian Greens,” Mr de Silva said.
“Members who have been lifelong advocates of justice and inclusion for Indigenous Australians have been called racists for advocating a Yes vote in the Voice referendum… New members installed in positions of significant responsibility have proclaimed that climate change is only a concern for the privileged.”
Fergeus, who has been a member of the Victorian Greens for 20 years and stood as a Greens candidate in three state and federal elections, said the party had “precious little humility, introspection or generosity of spirit”.
“For many years I have been exceptionally proud to contribute to a political culture that was, really, different from everything else on offer on the Australian political landscape. Not anymore,” Fergeus told Monash council on Tuesday night.
“The good it stands for is best demonstrated in its pillars… ecological sustainability, grassroots democracy, social justice, peace and non-violence… but this good has been overshadowed by a rapidly growing list of critical failures of government, an alarming lack of self-awareness, a growing anti-intellectual tendency and a myopic preoccupation with false progressive conformity.
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A spokesman for the Victorian Greens said on Tuesday evening that it was common for councilors to leave their posts or parties during a four-year term due to changes in life circumstances, new jobs or other reasons.
The Greens had led the way on many issues at a local level, including climate action, LGBTQ and trans inclusion and more affordable housing, the spokesman said.
“If the councilors decide that they do not share the values of the Greens, it is perfectly reasonable for them to decide to move on.
“Unlike other parties, the Greens are also transparent about councilors who are members of the Greens.”
Other high-profile former Victorian Greens who have drifted away from the party in recent years include senator Lidia Thorpe, who left the party after failing to find common ground over a voice in parliament, and former backbench MPs high Samantha Dunn and Nina Springle, who left in 2019 because of the culture of the party.
Nina Springle, a former Greens MP, quit the party, accusing its members of being “forced into identity politics”.Credit: Wayne Hawkins
Springle said the age this council representation was the lifeblood of the party and accused the Victorian Greens of spending more time talking about identity politics than environmental issues.
“The Council is the reason the Greens are still there; it's kept the party alive,” Springle said. “If they lose their councillors, it's a blow. It's where they do so much and where you can implement those sustainable initiatives that make a difference.”
