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Milne loses six senior staff

Australian Greens leader Christine Milne has denied that losing six senior members of her staff is a vote of no confidence in her leadership.

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Greens leader Christine Milne (GETTY)

3 min read

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Source: AAP


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Australian Greens leader Christine Milne is playing down the resignations of six of her senior staff members and has dismissed claims her leadership is on shaky ground.

Senator Milne was returned to the party's leadership unopposed on Monday, despite a slip in the Greens vote at the September 7 poll.

She confirmed on Wednesday night that six staff members had tendered their resignations including chief of staff Ben Oquist, director of communications Georgie Klug and policy adviser Oliver Woldring, her climate change adviser, her economics adviser and campaign coordinator.

"It's certainly true that people have opted to take redundancies but that's for a range of reasons," she told ABC TV.

"It's quite common in politics after an election for people to consider whether they want to stay on or not."

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Some staff had indicated last year they would stay with her until the election, and some had given personal reasons for leaving, Senator Milne said.

She denied the resignations were a vote of no confidence in her leadership.

"There's no panic or nothing to be concerned about," she said.

"This is pretty normal for political offices."

Mr Oquist issued a statement saying he was leaving with good will but cited "fundamental differences of opinion about strategy".

Asked about his reason, Senator Milne said: "interesting that Ben would say that."

She said there had been differences of opinion on how the office would run, she favoured a flat administrative structure while he wanted a more hierarchical structure.

"I wish Ben very well with his endeavours in the future," she said.

Senator Milne said Prime Minister Tony Abbott was likely to offer her office fewer staff than they have had previously.

She said some of the staff had been working in the political arena for six or seven years and wanted a fresh start.

"I wish people who have left my office all the best in the careers they go on with," Senator Milne said.

Greens MP Adam Bandt was re-elected the party's deputy leader on Monday, unopposed.

He extended his margin in the lower house seat of Melbourne.

A spokesman for Senator Milne said after the election there is an automatic spill of the leader's position.

As a result the leader's electorate and personal staff positions are automatically terminated by the Department of Finance and staff are subsequently eligible for a generous redundancy package.

"Following an exhausting election is a natural time for political staff to leave and a natural period for renewal for a political office," the spokesman told AAP.


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