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Greens in disarray as two MPs quit

Publish Date
Mon, 7 Aug 2017, 6:49PM
Metiria Turei has refused to resign over revelations she committed benefit fraud in the 1990s. Photo / Getty Images
Metiria Turei has refused to resign over revelations she committed benefit fraud in the 1990s. Photo / Getty Images

Greens in disarray as two MPs quit

Publish Date
Mon, 7 Aug 2017, 6:49PM

The Greens are in disarray tonight after two of their own MPs quit the party in protest over Metiria Turei's refusal to resign.

Kennedy Graham and David Clendon, two of the longest-standing members of the Greens, have removed themselves from the party list which effectively means they will not make it back into Parliament.

It is understood co-leader Turei's decision not to stand down over her benefit fraud admission was a factor in their decision.

But Green Party general manager Sarah Helm has lashed out at the pair, saying they have been with their list rankings for quite some time and neither has been doing much campaigning for the party.

"My perspective is that they have been looking for a reason to resign, and they've done that."

Political editor Barry Soper said this is a very serious situation.

"They want her to resign, they think it's untenable that a co-leader that's admitted to benefit fraud should continue on in the job."

Graham was ranked eighth on the list, and was likely to be re-elected in the September election.

Clendon was ranked at 16, placing him on the cusp of re-election.

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