Greens leader Richard Di Natale believes Lee Rhiannon still has a place in the federal party, despite the NSW senator being temporarily suspended from discussions on contentious matters.
Senator Rhiannon's colleagues, with the exception of MP Adam Bandt, have voted to exclude "NSW senators ... from partyroom discussions and decisions on contentious government legislation, including within their portfolio responsibilities, until these issues are resolved".
The decision followed concerns Senator Rhiannon undermined a potential deal with the Turnbull government on schools funding by authorising leaflets in inner Sydney against the Gonski 2.0 policy. The deal was eventually struck with crossbenchers.
Senator Rhiannon in a statement on Thursday says she believes the partyroom decision on Wednesday is wrong and "in part unconstitutional" and will need to be reviewed by the party's national council.
Senator Di Natale insists the action against Senator Rhiannon does not represent a penalty or an expulsion.
Asked if there was still room in the party room for her, he told ABC radio on Thursday: "Of course there is".
"I think what we need to do is work through these issues and come out of this stronger, and I'm confident we will."
The Greens federal members also requested the national council work with Greens NSW to stop its MPs being bound to vote against a decision of the federal parliamentary party room.
"To function as a national party room, and to be a genuine alternative to politics as usual, we need to have faith and trust in our processes," acting whip Nick McKim told reporters after the meeting.
Senator Rhiannon says she has received strong messages of support from Greens members and campaigners who want the party to remain a "powerful grassroots movement".
"I stand with the Greens NSW co-convenors in my belief that the federal party room decision was wrong and in part unconstitutional, and it will need to be reviewed by national council," she said.
The senator says she will always be a passionate advocate for public education.
NSW Greens will meet on July 8-9 to to consider further action.
