Australian Greens co-founder Drew Hutton has had his life membership of the party reinstated, with lawyers for its Queensland division urging that his expulsion for questioning transgender policy be treated “as though it never happened”.
The veteran activist immediately ramped up pressure on the Greens to rein in the “transgender and queer cult” he claims to have crossed, demanding the return of dozens of ex-members who were also marched for speaking out.
At least 25 other Greens members in NSW and Victoria are understood to have been shown the door for disputing or criticising the party’s pro-trans stance. Mr Hutton said many more had quit rather than face disciplinary proceedings.
Gail Hamilton, 55, a member of 24 years’ standing who had run for council, state and federal parliament in north Queensland before being expelled last year, said the onus was on the Greens to invite her back.
“I would say this decision for Drew looks promising for those many members who have been expelled without due process,” she said. “In my case, it was a kangaroo court … it was definitely a flawed system and I look forward to being invited to rejoin the party.”
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