I don't agree. I supported Fatima Payman when she defected from Labor, I am in favour of Jacinta Price defecting from the Nationals to the Liberals, and even though I think she's betraying her beliefs and her supporters and the country for some political power she's unlikely ever to actually receive, I support Dorinda Cox's right to do this if she thinks it's the right move.

Our electoral system doesn't elect parties. It elects people. If you don't like that, you should advocate (as I do, by the way) for a change to a proportional system, such as the MMP used in New Zealand and Germany.

Senator Cox has said that her values align with the Labor Party. This is the same Labor Party who this week approved the climate-wrecking North West Shelf gas project," she said. "Senator Cox would have had more chance of effecting change by continuing to work with the Greens in the sole balance of power."

Mr Albanese said he had not spoken to Senator Waters.

"The reason why Dorinda has made this decision is the same reason why all those years ago as a very young man I made the decision to join the Labor Party... That the way you make a difference is to be part of a party of government," he said.

This makes it sound like she just wants the power.