Greens MP Helen Burnet’s SHOCKING Betrayal: “Blindsided” Party Leader Left Reeling as Burnet Ditches Greens to Go Rogue
- Clark MP Helen Burnet quits the Tasmanian Greens to sit as an independent, citing a desire to be “more effective, accountable and heard”
- Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff says Burnet’s decision was “deeply disappointing” and “blindsided” the party
- Burnet’s departure leaves the Greens with just four MPs in the lower house and one upper house member
- The move is the latest in a string of high-profile defections from the Greens, including two federal senators and a South Australian MLC
In a stunning blow to the Tasmanian Greens, Clark MP Helen Burnet has announced she is quitting the party to sit as an independent in state parliament. The shock move has left Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff reeling, with Woodruff admitting she was “blindsided” by Burnet’s decision.
“To be honest, it has blindsided us,” Woodruff said in a statement. “Until today, Helen had not indicated this was something she was considering. It’s still unclear exactly what motivated her decision.”
Burnet, who has been a member of parliament for less than two years, said she made the decision to leave the Greens in order to be “more effective, accountable and heard” on matters important to her electorate. “This is not a decision that has been made in haste,” she said.
The 41-year-old MP, who was first elected to parliament in 2024, said she would continue to advocate for the concerns of her constituents, including the cost of living, public transport, and water quality. However, she claimed she could no longer do so effectively within the Greens.
“While I will make my voice heard in a different way, my beliefs and values remain the same,” Burnet said. “I want to reassure the community that I will continue to work tirelessly to represent their interests.”
Burnet’s departure is the latest in a string of high-profile defections from the Greens. Federally, two senators have quit the party in recent years, while South Australian MLC Tammy Franks left the Greens to sit as an independent last year.
The Greens are now left with just four MPs in the lower house and one upper house member. The party is facing an uncertain future, with many of its members and supporters feeling “let down” by Burnet’s decision.
“There will be many members, supporters, volunteers and voters who feel let down today,” Woodruff said. “I want to reassure every one of them that the time they gave, their hard work and passion, and the trust they gave us, is not in vain.”