Green Party MP Sue Bradford has announced her resignation from parliament, effective as of the end of next month. According to the New Zealand Herald

The decision to leave had been “deeply painful” but she had become disillusioned after missing out on the co-leadership of the party to Metiria Turei on May 30.

Bradfords’ time in parliament spans over a decade. She cited the repeal of section 59 of the crimes act- which gave parents the defence of ‘reasonable force’ when on trial for child abuse, as her greatest achievement. That law change won her praise from child advocacy organisations, and an award from the New Zealand Psychological Association. However, opposition was strong, Bradford received death threats and the religious right successfully organised a (non-binding) referendum on the law, framing it as “anti-smacking” and gaining a majority of votes against the repeal, albeit on a very low turn out.

Those in the organised labour movement will remember a different legacy that Bradford has left the country with. A members bill she put forward resulted in the end of youth pay rates, a discriminatory system where young people could be paid less for doing the same job as older workers. James Sleep, convener for the Youth Union Movement said in a press release;

Over Sue’s long career inside and outside Parliament, she has shown a fierce belief in young New Zealanders. On behalf of young workers I sincerely thank Sue Bradford and look forward to working with her as she continues her advocacy outside of Parliament.

Her replacement in parliament is Aucklander Dave Clendon, a ’sustainable business advisor’ this shows the contradictions in the Green Party, between the advocates for workers and those who support the side of ‘ethical’ and ’sustainable’ business. Sadly, the party appears to be increasingly made up the the latter, and the working class continues to lose representation in the house.