Senior NSW Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham has broken ranks with the party after a disappointing federal election result, calling for reform to blast out unaccountable backroom leaders. Key points
Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham calls for reform to get rid of unaccountable NSW backroom leaders
Social media backlash against Jeremy Buckingham for speaking to the media
Former federal leader, Bob Brown, called for Lee Rhiannon to stand aside after poor showing in federal election
Since their formation the NSW Greens have been controlled by a dominant faction decried by critics as "watermelons", who are described as being more red than green.
The factional leaders include senator Lee Rhiannon, NSW MP David Shoebridge and Greens NSW co-convenor Hall Greenland.
Mr Buckingham would like to see all party members given a vote to blast the old guard out of key party positions.
"I'm held to account my party, I welcome that, I'm elected, the key office bearers who have a lot of authority now in a growing organisation should be subject to the same scrutiny," Mr Buckingham told 7.30.
The Watermelon faction resisted the party appointing Bob Brown as leader when the Australian Greens were formed and have refused to appoint a leader in NSW.
After the last election Mr Brown called on Senator Rhiannon and the "old guard" to resign.
