The Green Party will consider whether to invoke waka-jumping legislation to oust ex-member Darleen Tana from Parliament next month.
Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick today confirmed the party’s special general meeting had been rescheduled for October 17, after it had been postponed due to legal action by Tana.
Tana, now an independent MP, had sought a judicial review and an injunction on the special general meeting proceeding, saying she was ousted from the Green Party and querying whether the Green Party’s processes in investigating and dealing with claims of her knowledge of migrant worker exploitation at her husband’s business were fair and just.
But on Friday the High Court confirmed Tana’s bid had failed.
Today, Swarbrick said in light of the court’s decision the special general meeting (SGM) would proceed on October 17. Asked about the possibility of Tana appealing the decision, Swarbrick said she was “confident” the SGM would proceed on the 17th.
The meeting will take place in the evening. It had been set for September 1.
“This Special General Meeting will discuss the potential use of provisions in the Electoral Act, informally known as the party-hopping law, in the case of Darleen Tana.
“This afternoon the Party has sent notice to our branches across the country to allow planning for meetings to discuss the issue and finalise delegates,” a statement from Swarbrick said.
“Any use of the legislation will require consensus, or at least 75% support from delegates. We will honour our grassroots members’ decision at this SGM.”
Swarbrick said the party was also confident it would be able to demonstrate Tana’s continued presence in Parliament, while not a member of the Green Party, contributed to the disproportionality of Parliament.
“There are multiple instances in which Darleen Tana has not been present in the House or had anybody to deliver her proxy vote on legislation in the House, which has meant that we have been votes down on law.”
