A sex worker advocacy group has accused the Green Party of discrimination during its candidate selection process – claims that a party co-leader has denied.
Fired Up Stilettos, a collective that advocates for the labour rights of strippers and other sex workers, alleged its chairperson had been put through an interview process heavily focused on her sex work background, with 21 of 28 follow-up questions on the topic.
The organisation accused the party's candidate committee of being disrespectful, more concerned about the risk of old photos resurfacing than about violence against sex workers, and said the experience had made the relationship "untenable."
"We will not allow any party to use us for social justice clout if their internal powerbrokers demonstrably undermine our interests," the group said in a statement.
"Much was made of her having previously advertised sex work online, and they asked how she would feel if the opposition found archives of those now-deleted photos.
"Beebe is very experienced mitigating online bullying and sexual harassment by refusing to be ashamed of things that are not shameful."
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said the applicant's background in sex work did not factor into the decision.
"The concern is about ensuring people are ready for Parliament, and that process is confidential," she told media.
"I can't reveal the transcripts of the interview... but I just want to be really clear, the final decision was not connected to a background in sex work."
She added: "We have always and will always continue to advocate for sex workers and for the role that the sex work advocacy groups play in this country," she said.
Davidson acknowledged the party could review its processes but said the Greens' political values, including its advocacy for workers' rights, were upheld.
"We can always review processes absolutely. I have to be clear that in this decision, a sex worker background did not play a part in this decision."
The party was known to have increased its vetting of candidates for November's election after a turbulent term that most notably included expelling former MP Darleen Tana.
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