Greens delay decision on Senator Rhiannon over funding split

Greens members have been unable to make a decision on the future of Lee Rhiannon, following accusations the Greens senator derailed the party's negotiations over schools funding and breached the faith of the party room.

Australian Greens senators (L-R) Janet Rice, Nick McKim, Rachel Siewert, Scott Ludlum and Richard Di Natale in the Senate chamber

Greens senators Janet Rice, Nick McKim, Rachel Siewert, Scott Ludlum and Richard Di Natale in the Senate chamber Source: AAP

After a teleconference today, the Greens issued a two-sentence statement saying the party room had adjourned without making a formal resolution on the future of Senator Lee Rhiannon.

It said the party would reconvene this week to discuss the matter.

Senator Rhiannon had earlier hit back at colleagues who allege she breached the faith of the party room over schools funding.

The NSW senator responded to a formal complaint reportedly signed by all members of the federal parliamentary party, including leader Richard Di Natale, to the party's national council.

She's been accused of attempting to derail negotiations over the so-called Gonski 2.0 package, after distributing a leaflet in Sydney inner west letterboxes against the policy.

Senator Rhiannon hit back on Sunday, insisting her actions on education have been faithful to Greens policy and process at all times.

"It was the Turnbull government's decision to do a deal with the crossbench senators that killed off negotiations with the Greens. I had no role in that," she said in a statement.
The senator said the leaflets she authorised were a "good initiative" of Greens local groups and highlighted the negative impact the policy would have on public schools.

A spokesman for Senator Di Natale told AAP the party was extremely disappointed that the letter was made public.

In the end the Greens voted against the package with Labor, but the government secured the 10 crucial crossbench votes needed to get its funding shake-up over the line.


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Source: AAP


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