AUSTRALIAN GREENS
Annual Report 2013-14
CONTENTS Representatives ..................................................................................................... 3 National Co-Convenors Christine Cunningham & Penny Allman-Payne .................... 4 National Manager Brett Constable ........................................................................... 5 National Secretary Maiy Azize ................................................................................. 6 National Treasurer Diane Evers ................................................................................ 7 National Policy Coordinator Catherine Garner .......................................................... 8 International Secretary Bob Hale ............................................................................. 9 Senator for Tasmania & Parliamentary Leader Christine Milne ................................. 10 Deputy Parliamentary Leader & Member for Melbourne Adam Bandt ....................... 12 Senator for Western Australia Rachel Siewert.......................................................... 13 Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young..................................................... 14 Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam............................................................. 15 Senator for Victoria Richard Di Natale ..................................................................... 16 Senator for South Australia Penny Wright ............................................................... 17 Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters .................................................................. 18 Senator for New South Wales Lee Rhiannon. .......................................................... 19 Senator for Tasmania Peter Whish-Wilson .............................................................. 20 Senator for Victoria Janet Rice .............................................................................. 22 INCOME & EXPENDITURE STATEMENT ................................................................. 23 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION .................................................................. 24 STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS ............................................................................... 25 State and Territory Greens Offices ............................................................ Back Cover
REPRESENTATIVES NATIONAL OFFICERS
FEDERAL MPS
Co-Convenors Christine Cunningham & Penny Allman-Payne e: convenor@greens.org.au
Senator Christine Milne e:senator.milne@aph.gov.au GPO Box 896, Hobart TAS 7001 p: 03 6224 8899
Secretary Maiy Azize e: secretary@greens.org.au Treasurer Diane Evers e: treasurer@greens.org.au Policy Coordinator Catherine Garner e: policy@greens.org.au International Secretary Bob Hale e: international@greens.org.au
NATIONAL OFFICE greens.org.au 23/85 Northbourne Avenue Turner ACT GPO Box 1108 Canberra ACT 2601 p: 02 6140 3217 f: 02 6247 6455
STAFF Brett Constable - Nat. Manager e: brett.constable@greens.org.au
Member for Melbourne Adam Bandt e: adam.bandt.mp@aph.gov.au 280 King Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 p: 03 9642 0922 Senator Rachel Siewert e: senator.siewert@aph.gov.au 1/151 Brisbane Street, Northbridge WA 6000 p: 08 9228 3277 Senator Sarah Hanson-Young e: senator.hanson-young@aph.gov.au Level 7, 147 Pirie Street, Adelaide SA 5000 p: 08 8227 0425 Senator Scott Ludlam e: senator.ludlam@aph.gov.au 8 Cantonment Street, Fremantle WA 6160 p: 08 9335 7477
Rosanne Bersten - Comms Coord e: e.rosanne.bersten@greens.org.au Susan Sussems - Fundraiser e: susan.sussems@greens.org.au Mark Quinn - Office Manager e: mark.quinn@greens.org.au Andrew Dockery - Systems e: andrew.dockery@greens.org.au Lucy Quarterman - International Dev e: lucy.quarterman@greens.org.au Helen Thompson - Finance e: helen.thompson@greens.org.au
Authorised by Christine Cunningham & Penny Allman-Payne 23/85 Northbourne Avenue Turner ACT Licensed under CC-BY-NC Aus 2.5
Senator Richard Di Natale e: senator.dinatale@aph.gov.au Level 4, 199 Moorabool Street, Geelong VIC 3220 p: 03 5221 4100 Senator Penny Wright e: senator.wright@aph.gov.au Level 3, 27 Leigh Street, Adelaide SA 5000 p. 08 8410 4588 Senator Larissa Waters e: senator.waters@aph.gov.au Level 1, 251 Given Terrace, Paddington QLD 4064 p. 07 3367 0566 Senator Lee Rhiannon e: senator.rhiannon@aph.gov.au 72 Campbell Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010 p: 02 9211 9523 Senator Peter Whish-Wilson e: senator.whish-wilson@aph.gov.au PO Box 5194, Launceston TAS 7250 p. 03 6331 0033 Senator Janet Rice e: senator.rice@aph.gov.au 240 Sydney Road, Coburg Vic 3058 p. 03 9384 6199
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NATIONAL CO-CONVENORS
CHRISTINE CUNNINGHAM & PENNY ALLMAN-PAYNE
W
e have had a good year in the Australian Greens at the national level; a good year but not a great year. We have witnessed wonderful highs, such as:
The re-election of Senator Scott Ludlam and the opportunity it gave us to further develop our election campaign skills beyond those we were able to manage in the 2013 election proper; and Watching newly elected Senator Janet Rice as she bicycled to Canberra to start her six year term and then gave a wonderful, possum inspired maiden speech in the red chamber. On the low side, we are witnessing the frightening reality of an Abbott led Coalition where we have lost the balance of power in the Senate. We have seen these political circumstances decimate environmental policies, including the carbon price, mining tax and the renewable energy target that we took so much time in developing, negotiating and legislating into reality. Still, we choose to see the glass as half full and so keep up our hope and our optimism that change will come. We have given so much of our time as Co-convenors of our party to ensure the smooth running of our national organisation. And we have done this happily because we strongly believe in the power of participating as active members of a political party to help change the world.
A major focus of our work for the party this year has been the constitutional change process that we hope will reach its zenith at this year’s National Conference. Extensive consultations and negotiations have created the opportunity to agree upon a new constitution that will enable us to grow and strengthen our party for decades to come. We realise we are putting a lot of faith in the idea that constitutional changes will translate into practical solutions to the growing pains we have been experiencing in governance. Only time will tell if this bears out, but a party of consensus should be able to rise to the occasion. We have strived to run the party as close to the principles of our Greens’ Charter as possible and to be the best employers and the best managers of volunteer staff as we could. In the incredibly tight current fiscal situation, it has been extremely hard to do this and all of us in the party must get better at treating our national employees with the respect and courtesy that our hard working, professional and inspiring staff deserve. Finally, our thanks must go to the incredible bunch of talented members of the Australian Greens Coordinating Group (AGCG) who have made our role as Co-Convenors effective and enjoyable.
“Watching newly elected Senator Janet Rice as she bicycled to Canberra to start her six year term and then gave a wonderful, possum inspired maiden speech...” The Co-Convenor model has again worked successfully and we are very pleased that this shared leadership model is proving in practice to be effective for the party wing. We have participated with interest in the discussions and negotiations for constitutional change relating to leadership models for our Parliamentary wing and we hope that one of our legacies will be a change in our leadership structures – which ultimately proves to be a model structure that is emulated in a more democratic future Australian parliament.
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NATIONAL MANAGER
BRETT CONSTABLE
A
federal election campaign is something to behold! Even though we don’t yet have fixed dates for federal elections, in recent times at least we have been pretty good at identifying the window of likely dates and thus are able to work stolidly towards the final day. Always ready of course for some unexpected cause for an urgent call to action. Our national office during this last election was a quiet hive of activity as we supported State campaigns with fundraising; website, email and social media communications; and advertising coordination. For the first time we also supported the National Campaign Committee with managing a strategic fund to support national strategic projects and campaigns. As with all new initiatives some teething problems were encountered with prioritising the allocation of this central pool of funding but the model for future campaigns within our confederate structure has been established. Post-election after our debriefing and farewelling of shortterm staff our focus shifted to preparing for the next three year federal election campaign. This always begins with setting the budget and unfortunately due to our drop in vote we also took a significant cut in electoral funding across the Party which naturally flowed through to harsh impacts on the budget for the national office. Rather than the ideal of a three year budget being struck, allowing for the build up towards the next election, negotiations at National Conference last November resulted in only a 12 month commitment of funding from States for the national office at a level which necessitated some cutbacks in staffing, including my own position to four days and the campaign coordinator, Chris Harris, to half-time. In the context of some scheduled extended leave, Chris subsequently made the decision to finish up in his position at the end of June. A big thank you goes out to Chris for his efforts in the planning and implementation of the last campaign, plus his follow up work afterwards to lay a solid foundation with the ‘rule book’ for future campaign activities to be used by the national office. Apart from myself, our national office currently comprises: Mark Quinn, our office manager, holds our frontline for public contact and providing help to members and State offices with system support queries. Helen Thompson, our part-time finance officer, with one of her tasks being to calculate the amounts due to States from fundraising activities we coordinate (the national office processed close to 27,000 transactions last financial year).
Susan Sussems, our fundraising coordinator, manages our quarterly national appeals program on behalf of States as well as supporting State based fundraising planning and implementation. Rosanne Bersten, our communications coordinator, is responsible for managing content on our website including our new online magazine, supporting the upgrade of State websites, and other communications related activities covering emails and social media. Andrew Dockery, our online systems coordinator, is responsible for ensuring our national IT infrastructure stays online for all the campaigning, membership and fundraising activities we undertake across the Party. Andrew is very ably supported by some outstanding volunteers, particularly Erich Schultz and Seamus Lee, along with our contractors, Andrew McNaughton and Fuzion. Lucy Quarterman, our new International Development Officer has just started with us after the recommencement in June of the Australian Political Parties for Democracy Program under the auspices of the Department of Finance. This follows the defunding and winding up of the program earlier this year due to budget cuts by the Government to AusAID and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The defunding of the program earlier this year can only be described as a debacle considering the utter disruption it caused for the projects we were engaged in, plus the need for a very unfortunate early termination to the contract of our employee at the time, Rathi Ramanathan. My heartfelt thanks goes to all our staff in both the national office and around the States for their dedication to their roles in support of our legions of members and supporters who volunteer for the many activities essential to keeping our Party growing and developing its organisational and campaigning effectiveness. In particular I wish to acknowledge and thank this year’s co-convenors, Christine Cunningham and Penny AllmanPayne for their unwavering commitment to their positions and availability to support myself and the national office. And now I look towards this year’s National Conference with a hope that the national office has been able to demonstrate over this last year a high level of value for the Party on absolutely minimal funding, and that this then translates into an operating budget worthy of the campaign we need to mount for the next federal election.
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NATIONAL SECRETARY MAIY AZIZE
I
t has been another a busy year for the Australian Greens, and the role of National Secretary continues to evolve. This year, the National Campaign Committee was expanded to include the National Secretary among its members, and the review of the Australian Greens constitution is likely to make the position even more dynamic. Work on the review of our constitution has continued throughout the year, with a Special National Council in Sydney further refining the review. The Constitutional Review Panel has sifted through dozens of submissions and proposals, and at the time of writing, is working to a timeline to finalise the review. The work of Christine Cunningham, Giz Watson, and members of the Constitutional Review Panel throughout this process has been extraordinary.
“A major highlight of my term as National Secretary has been the ratification of a new Register of Interests for the party. Recent events have highlighted that political party office bearers can have considerable influence in our political system...”
Penny Allman-Payne, National Co-Convenor, responsible for international development issues (with Stewart Jackson) and member of the National Campaign Committee Ben Spies-Butcher, National Deputy Convenor (up to June 2014), General Member (up to July 2014), member of the National Campaign Committee Giz Watson , National Deputy Convenor (from July 2014), responsible for archiving, history and research Maiy Azize, National Secretary, responsible for policy, member of the National Campaign Committee Alex Schlotzer, National Deputy Secretary, responsible for administration of AGCG and oversight of the Young Greens (with Melissa Brooks) Diane Evers, National Treasurer, responsible for donations and fundraising Dave Nelson, National Deputy Treasurer, responsible for online systems Melissa Brooks, General Member, oversight of the Young Greens (with Alex Schlotzer)
A major highlight of my term as National Secretary has been the ratification of a new Register of Interests for the party. Recent events have highlighted that political party office bearers can have considerable influence in our political system, with revelations surrounding Michael Williamson and other Labor and Coalition office bearers showing that conflicts of interest can undermine public confidence and potentially lead to corrupt behaviour.
Andrew Bartlett, General Member, oversight of the Global Issues Group
From next year onwards, the Australian Greens will be setting a standard for all political parties to ensure greater transparency by requiring its office bearers to submit a Declaration of Interests covering sources of income, gifts, and commercial interests. These will be tabled for National Council and National Conference, and made available to members of the public. Declarations will be accompanied by a list of recommended actions.
Andrew Blake, Party Room Representative (from June 2014)
The success of AGCG’s work relies on the engagement of all members. This year, all members of AGCG were allocated portfolios to oversee key areas of party business. This was in addition to their ordinary work. In 2013-14, the portfolio allocations were: Christine Cunningham, National Co-Convenor, responsible for constitutional issues
Stewart Jackson, General Member (from July 2014), oversight of international development issues (with Penny Allman-Payne) Erin Farley, Party Room Representative (up to June 2014)
All members of AGCG deserve to be thanked for their efforts. In particular, my thanks go to National Deputy Secretary Alex Schlotzer for all of his work throughout the year. On a personal note, I have now served two terms on AGCG, two terms as the party’s National Policy Coordinator, and overseen one major policy review. Each of these roles has been a pleasure. I am now looking forward to stepping back from my responsibilities with the Australian Greens and focusing on the upcoming NSW election, particularly my role in Jenny Leong’s campaign for the seat of Newtown. I wish the new National Secretary and office bearers the best of luck for 2015.
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TREASURER DIANE EVERS
F
ollowing on from an unfortunate election result, the Australian Greens are facing a challenging financial period. Staff, candidates, members and supporters put considerable effort into the election, but it was not enough to take on those with more money or more favourable media relationships. The resultant decrease in election funding will effect the financial situation of the Australian Greens and our state and territory members throughout this election cycle. The annual accounts presented here demonstrate the financial impact of an election year. That is, significantly higher revenue and considerable election expenses. To cover the additional costs, you will note a decrease in our reserves. These reserves had been built up through the previous years to support the election campaign. Feeling the full impact of decreased election funding at the National Conference 2013, our national manager, Brett Constable, and other staff made considerable adjustments to reduce spending over the coming year, all the while, trying to maintain the services provided by the national office. Our staff all deserve our appreciation and support as they continue to perform on minimal resources with considerable challenges.
“... staff made considerable adjustments to reduce spending over the coming year, all the while, trying to maintain the services provided by the national office...�
Our financial statements show that we have managed well over the past twelve months, but it is not a sustainable position without greater support from states. Now, more than ever, we have to work as one. The advances achieved as a national body should not be allowed to weaken. It is the strength of the national organisation that will assist in keeping our message clear, our members listened to and informed, and our elected members guided and supported.
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NATIONAL POLICY COORDINATOR CATHERINE GARNER
T
his year the work of the Policy Coordinating Committee (AGPCC) has focused on finalizing the first round of key priorities, continuing the development of new policies and beginning the 2015 policy review process. Through the diligent effort of the committee members and the work of Greens members across all states and territories the AGPCC was able to present ten key priorities for ratification at the special policy conference held in April. This represents the culmination of more than two years of work.
None of the work achieved by the policy committee would have been possible without the commitment of all the committee members. It has been a great pleasure to work with such dedicated individuals without whom this committee could not function. Catherine Garner, National Policy Coordinator Emily English, Party Room representative Patrick Tobin, ACT delegate
A further proposal is to be considered at National Conference in November to continue the work of providing direction to our federal parliamentarians regarding the key priorities.
Sylvia Hale, NSW delegate
Every year a central part of the work of the AGPCC is facilitating the policy creation process. In 2014 this work was focused on two policies, - banking and finance, and industry. After much hard work by members, culminating in a policy workshop at the July National Council the banking and finance policy was ratified while the industry policy has been set aside.
Tyrone D’Lisle , QLD delegate
“In designing the policy review the committee is striving to create a process which is transparent, accountable and accessible to members interested in providing feedback.” In preparation for the 2015 policy review the AGPCC has been working to put together a rigorous process. In designing the policy review the committee is striving to create a process which is transparent, accountable and accessible to members interested in providing feedback.
Adrienne Farago, NT delegate
Matt Fisher, SA delegate Dave Abbott, TAS delegate Warwick Smith, VIC delegate Anthony Blond, WA delegate In 2015 the work of the AGPCC will continue with a primary focus on the 2015 policy review. In order for this policy review to be a success it needs Greens members across the country to participate in consultation and feedback. If you are interested in getting involved in the policy review process you can contact your state delegate or the AGPCC convenor directly at policy@greens.org.au
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INTERNATIOANL SECRETARY BOB HALE
GLOBAL ISSUES WORKING GROUP (GIG)
GLOBAL GREENS
We recognised the need for better communication with party members so we helped develop web pages on the AG web site for GIG and AG-IDC, and created a Facebook page facebook.com/AustralianGreensGoGlobal
The European Greens had elections in May this year - they generally held their position and also had MPs elected in several countries for the first time.
We ran a successful forum on Marine Bio-diversity and also proposed a resolution calling on the Australian Government to boycott the next CHOGM meeting which was in Sri Lanka. We have done some preparatory work around improving the processes for Country Specific Resolutions, how the existing ones can be changed, which of them need updating, etc. We have been working with several groups in the region on local projects, such as the Philippines and funding Ego Lemos from Timor Leste to attend an Australian Timor-Leste Friendship Network conference in July. We have also been working with the Asia Pacific Greens Federation (APGF) on the process for them becoming a proper legal entity.
AUSTRALIAN GREENS - INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (AG-IDC) In January the Abbott Government announced that the Australian Political Parties for Democracy Program would be cancelled. It is very good news that this funding has been restored which was a total surprise to everyone. Who would have thought that something good would come from this government? Our budget is $200,000 a year for three years and there are many worthwhile activities we can consider supporting, with priorities of supporting the next APGF Congress, a Secretary for the APGF, and other projects such as training, party building, and many more that will benefit APGF Members.
We congratulate the Canadian Greens, who won the first Green Seat in the Legislative Assembly in British Columbia. The First Global Fundraiser (Australia, NZ, USA, and Canada) may not have been a financial success, however, it was great to be involved in a cross-border project and it did demonstrate that people are interested in participating in activities on a global scale. We definitely need a project to fundraise for, and may run another in the lead up to the next Global Greens Congress in 2016/17. The Global Greens are running a Climate Change campaign in the lead up to COP in Paris 2015. GIG is helping to gather information on climate change activities from Greens in the region that can be shared, assist groups to share, learn, and raise awareness across the region. Newsletters can be accessed at globalgreens.org/newsletter
ASIA PACIFIC GREENS FEDERATION (APGF) The APGF is being set up as a formal legal entity based in Australia, and we have spent quite a bit of time helping them to review the new constitution and bylaws. With funding for the Australian Political Parties for Democracy Program being restored, APGF has been working hard on proposals to employ a new secretary and organising a congress for 2015.
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PARLIAMENTARY LEADER & SENATOR FOR TASMANIA CHRISTINE MILNE
2
013-14 has been a year of milestones, challenges and victories for the Australian Greens. We pushed for the recount in WA that ultimately led Scott Ludlam to contest not one, but two elections for his Senate seat. The initial disputed election result brought out the best in our party – defence of democracy, genuine engagement and a grassroots campaign that energised and involved people all over the country, in support of a stronger Greens voice in the Federal Parliament. Indeed, I’m proud to be leading the Greens’ largest ever Party Room, with 11 accomplished and dedicated Members of Parliament representing our voters and our values at the federal level. The newest member of the team, Janet Rice, took office as a Senator for Victoria on July 1. She will look after matters relating to tourism, forests, transport and infrastructure. Janet’s first speech was brilliant and made us all so proud. The parliamentary team came into its own in responding to the Abbott government’s first budget. That shocking and cruel document contained such a mass of measures that would make life harder for people, it was almost overwhelming. But overnight, as each office sifted through the horrible detail, we launched the campaign to Bust the Budget, which gained swift momentum around the country and continues to pressure the Prime Minister, item by item, to back off his brutal agenda. Congratulations to everyone who’s worked long hours in every office and on every campaign to give us the depth of policy analysis that has placed us so well to take on the Abbott government. Most devastating to me personally, and I know the feeling was shared across the Party Room and the Party, was the undoing of years of work with the repeal of the carbon price. That day, Tony Abbott and the crossbenchers threw away effective action, regarded as template legislation for the rest of the world, in an era of dangerous climate change. It will be remembered in just a few short years as a massive blow inflicted on the climate and future generations, not to mention Australia’s international standing, our own way of life and the competitiveness of our economy. But as I said on that day in the Senate, we may have lost that vote and that version of carbon pricing, but we are coming back stronger and even more determined to make sure Australia does rise to the challenge. Carbon pollution, which causes global warming, is environmental vandalism and intergenerational theft. There is a price to pay, and the Greens will make sure the polluters are the ones who pay it. Tony Abbott’s gang of climate criminals must not be allowed to pollute for free while raking in multi-billion dollar profits. The Greens will lead the national campaign to reenergise climate action.
Campaigns like these highlight the opportunities presented by the current review of the Australian Greens Constitution. Ways to engage with current and future members are many and varied, if we’re willing to embrace them. I want to grow the party and increase members’ participation and ownership of the Greens beyond the traditional local groups. Geography does not impose the same restrictions it used to, as the Internet age allows for a much more immediate and comprehensive engagement of members. I believe our structure needs to facilitate that and I encourage your input in helping to make the Greens Australia’s best placed party to advance transformative change. With forest campaigners and Greens around the country we Greens ensured Tony Abbott was delivered a major rebuke courtesy of the World Heritage Committee. It rejected Tony Abbott’s bid to delist 74,000 hectares of forest in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. This was a wonderful example of how parliamentary work and community campaigning can leverage each other to deliver a real outcome. The Senate Inquiry I initiated exposed that destructive ideology was behind Tony Abbott’s push to redraw the boundaries. Cooperative efforts with Greens MP’s around the world, and the loud and impassioned community voice, made it clear to the international Committee that Australians didn’t support the destruction of forests or undermining the integrity of the World Heritage Convention. We also continue to lobby hard for the World Heritage Committee to take a strong stand against ongoing destruction of the Great Barrier Reef.
“...the Greens in parliament are looking forward to the opportunities we’ll get, and create, to reflect the values of those we represent.” As for the big picture, the Greens in parliament are looking forward to the opportunities we’ll get, and create, to reflect the values of those we represent. We look forward to Ban Ki Moon’s summit in New York, where nations will come together, make pledges for shifting to a low-carbon global economy and make serious cuts to greenhouse gas emissions. We look forward to protecting people from budget measures that would make life harder, showing the Abbott government that it won’t get away with selling out ordinary Australians through GP co-payments, cruelty to the unemployed, pensioners and uni students, to protect the profits of the big miners and big polluters. We look forward to being the strongest opposition to the Abbott government from now through to 2016. continued...
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In my third year as Greens Leader and my 25th year in politics, with almost 10 years in the Australian Senate, I am humbled by the passion and commitment around the Party Room table and throughout the Greens around the country. We remain the only political force with a clear view of the challenges which face people and the planet, and with the courage to drive the necessary changes to meet them. Australia has become a plutocracy, a nation governed by and for the rich, which means the Greens are needed more than ever to defend the environmental and social fabric, and to restore the transparency and accountability that will return power from corporations to the people; that will restore democracy.
“We remain the only political force with a clear view of the challenges which face people and the planet, and with the courage to drive the necessary changes to meet them.” Thank you for the support you’ve shown in these testing times. Thank you for the stories you’ve shared about your lives, hopes, aspirations and dismay in response to the Budget and destruction of renewable energy and the climate. Your passion and compassion is indefatigable; an abundant renewable energy source that will make the Greens ever stronger and give Australia a brighter future.
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DEPUTY LEADER & FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MELBOURNE ADAM BANDT
A
fter the 2013 Federal election result, the balance of power in the House of Representatives has shifted. At the same time, the full impact of Tony Abbott’s agenda became apparent with the handing down of the Budget in May. In the face of plans to impoverish swathes of society, while asking the Liberals’ billionaire backers to make no sacrifices, fighting the Budget, speaking up for Greens values and giving the community a voice has become more important than ever. Here is an overview of what we’ve done so far this year.
IN MELBOURNE, WE HAVE: Helped get Carlton Housing Estate connected to the NBN Helped secure a grant for an exhibition about Chinese ANZAC soldiers Campaigned against the Government killing off community broadcasting Continued to promote and defend Melbourne’s science and research industry. Maintained campaign against East-West toll road, forcing Labor to change its position on the project. Raised in Parliament the benefits that renewable energy could bring Victoria In Parliament, moved a motion to disallow the Government’s plan to end carer visas, which affect a lot of people in Melbourne. Advocated on behalf of hundreds of Melbourne constituents on issues including housing, immigration, disability, Centrelink, often when they have nowhere else to turn. Our client liaison team has handled more than 500 constituent cases so far this year, with 123 more currently live. Supported community fundraising for Cubbies Welcomed new voters – over 11,000 letters sent this year.
AT A NATIONAL LEVEL, WE HAVE: Pushed hard for Parliament to be given the final say on sending troops to war. Read Adam Bandts motion. Supported Senator Scott Ludlam’s re-election campaign by helping recruit volunteers who made 12,000 phone calls to WA from Victoria. Run the “Respect research” campaign – our petition currently has 19,083 signatures.
ISSUES WE HAVE IN LOCAL AND NATIONAL MEDIA INCLUDE: Broke the story on how CSIRO cuts meant we’re leaving labs to fill photocopiers. Read the SMH article on CSIRO scientists. Broke the national story of the extent of the cuts to CSIRO. Urged Employment Minister Eric Abetz to put issue of child labour at G20 meeting of employment ministers. Read the SMH article on G20.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THIS YEAR, I HAVE: Introduced a Bill to give Parliament, not Tony Abbott, the final say on sending troops to war. Had motions tabled in the Senate calling on the G20 to end child labour, calling on the Government to move on High Speed Rail and about properly funding CSIRO and its animal diseases laboratory. All three motions were successfully passed by the Senate. And much, much more. As Tony Abbott’s brutal agenda becomes clearer, one thing is obvious: the Greens are the true alternative to the Abbott Government.
Sent over 100 separate email blasts, on issues including R&D, the Budget, East-West and proposed new terror laws. Each email blast reached between 100 and 14,000 local people. The office has responded to bulk emails and petitions on at least 30 different topics, to around 1,000 individuals – and counting.
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SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA RACHEL SIEWERT
I
t is fair to say that this past year has been a whirlwind, especially in WA. First, the election, then uniqueness of a Senate by-election- one of the most amazing shows of support and unity I have seen during my time in the Greens. We then had the budget and now the new Senate. It’s hard to talk about this year without acknowledging off the top that we have a Prime Minister and a Government that seem committed to making things harder for so many Australians, particularly the most disadvantaged. Each Greens MP speaks passionately about the impacts that the Federal Budget is having in their home states and in their portfolios. It’s hard to know whether the Abbott Government’s policy making is a result of inability, cruelty or, more realistically – both. Across my portfolio areas, the impact of the budget has been significant. Wide ranging cuts across income support and social services are proposed without consultation or justification. Some measures, including moves to deprive job seekers aged under 30 of income support for six months a year, are almost beyond comprehension. Half a billion dollars of cuts have been made to programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, greatly undermining efforts to close the gap and making a mockery of Tony Abbott’s promise to be the Prime Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Cuts to Landcare and NRM, along with the Government’s reckless abolition of the Clean Energy Package have weakened efforts to protect our environment, agriculture and oceans. Environment Minister Greg Hunt has failed in his responsibilities by rubber stamping the first year of the Barnett Government’s shark cull and also removing the management plans from what was Australia’s world-leading network of marine protected areas. Despite the Government’s agenda, we continue to take the political lead when it comes to the critical discussions about Australia’s future. When you discuss climate change, health, education, the treatment of asylum seekers, the most vulnerable in our community, building sustainable cities or the need for marriage equality, the Greens are there. As I write the future of a referendum on constitutional recognition of our first peoples is unclear but today I have been working with many people to build support for Constitutional Recognition, we’ve helped pile the pressure on Colin Barnett’s shark cull and we’ve made sure the Government can’t escape the public backlash against their budget.
people crammed into a room in one of Perth’s western suburbs to talk about the Greens’ climate campaign strategy. For some of the people in the room, this was their first Greens meeting, so it was great to see at the end of the meeting everyone agree that door-knocking and field campaigning was a great way to engage with the community. As a result of that meeting, over the summer, more than 70 different people tried their hand at door-knocking. Together, we knocked on more than 3000 homes, in five different areas. As it turned out, this was the start of the WA door-knocking campaign to re-elect Scott.
“Despite the Government’s agenda, we continue to take the political lead when it comes to the critical discussions about Australia’s future. When you discuss climate change, health, education, the treatment of asylum seekers, the most vulnerable in our community, building sustainable cities or the need for marriage equality, the Greens are there.” The climate door-knocks were going well but when we were reasonably sure that a Senate by-election was likely, we knew we had to step it up. What followed was the biggest grassroots engagement campaign that we’ve managed in WA. Since the election we’ve worked hard to keep the enthusiasm for field campaigning high. Most recently, through the #BustTheBudget campaign. In the last two months we’ve continued having one-on-one conversations with the community in shopping malls, at rallies, and at people’s doors. This has helped us build stronger opposition to Tony Abbott’s cruel budget. Our challenge now is to carry the momentum through to 2016, where we hope to grow our vote in Western Australia. As always, your support is what keeps us going, and this year we’ve seen just how much the Greens are capable of achieving. I know that we will continue this great work in the year ahead.
We have also put a focus on building our community campaigning and engaging Greens members and volunteers in community action. In November of last year over 100
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SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA SARAH HANSON-YOUNG
W
e’re just one year into the Abbott administration and it’s becoming increasingly clear that Australians were sold a bait-and-switch, all surprises, failure of a Coalition government. In a year of unprecedented cruelty towards refugees, the Greens are continuing to stand up and fight for those who are fleeing from war and terror. In a win for ‘the goodies’, the Greens moved a successful disallowance motion against Abbott’s cruel Temporary Protection Visas that would have left thousands of refugees separated from their families and living a life in limbo. The brutality and secrecy that underpins the Coalition’s refugee policies have been put under a microscope by multiple Senate inquiries led by the Greens this year. Shocking evidence given to a Greens inquiry into the murder of Reza Barati on Manus Island has shown that the days of offshore detention are numbered. On another front, and in a great leap forwards in the fight to end discrimination, a cross-party marriage equality group was established in late 2013. Equality minded members of the Labor, Liberal and Greens parties vowed to do everything that they can to get this essential reform across the line.
“...a cross-party marriage equality group was established in late 2013. Equality minded members of the Labor, Liberal and Greens parties vowed to do everything that they can to get this essential reform across the line.”
To that end, the Greens have introduced a bill into the Parliament that would see the marriages of same-sex couples who wed overseas recognised here in Australia. This is a common sense step along the road to equality and we hope to see members of all parties coming together to support this bill. Families struggling with the increasing cost of living were given a break when the Greens successfully blocked the Abbott government’s plans to strip $230m out of childcare subsidies this year. By reaching into the pockets of mums and dads around the country, the Coalition was going to make it even harder for those families who are already struggling to afford high quality childcare. It was only by using our numbers in the Senate that the Greens were able to make sure that that didn’t happen. All in all, it’s been a tough year for many Australians, but the Greens are standing as the last line of defence for those who the Abbott government has deserted. ‘Onward and upward for 2015’ I say, and let’s make sure the Abbott government’s first term in office is also its last.
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SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA SCOTT LUDLAM
L
ooking back over the last 12 months it is hard to imagine how much the country has changed in the intervening period. We knew an Abbott Government would be bad; I have to admit I wasn’t prepared for how bad. From the day the almost all-old-white-male cabinet was announced, the Government has shown a streak of aggression, vindictiveness and industry-capture wider in scope than most people imagined. With the tide running against us a year ago, we held all our seats and picked up a new Senator in Janet Rice from Victoria. Anyone who heard Janet’s inaugural speech will appreciate how important it is to keep increasing our representation in this place, given the strength of the assault on vulnerable communities and our precious environment that this Government has set in motion. So we didn’t want to be the state that lost out. With the WA result balanced on the finest possible margin, following a series of unpredictable and seemingly random surprises, we were pitched into a high-stakes by-election that would shape the final makeup of the Senate. The result is a credit to our party: not just the huge local mobilisation, but the national effort we were able to bring to bear: hundreds of volunteers hitting the phones around the country, morale-boosting visits from Christine, Adam and other MPs, and a dream-team of local and national campaigners throwing their time and expertise into the task. On behalf of everyone in WA: Thank you.
Removing the Abbott Government is about more than just replacing the individuals, but resetting the political debate entirely. It should never again be possible to win occupancy of the Prime Minister’s office with climate denial. It should not be possible to win votes through orchestrated child abuse on prison islands. And attacking low-income Australians for the benefit of tax avoidance by mining multinationals should be seen for what it is: wealth redistribution, upwards, from those least able to pay. If the Greens do not step up to meet these challenges, we know that no-one else will.
“...we were pitched into a high-stakes byelection that would shape the final makeup of the Senate. The result is a credit to our party: not just the huge local mobilisation, but the national effort we were able to bring to bear...” On a personal note, thanks to everyone who supported team WA over the last 12 months; Rach, Christine, all the staff crew and the massive tide of volunteers who grabbed the campaign opportunity and made it their own. More importantly, for realising that this was just the beginning, and focusing on the long game. Now we apply what we learned to help our Victorian and NSW Green family in any way we can, to raise the green voice louder in a country that needs to hear it more than ever.
The party turned this momentum towards a strong result in the Stafford by-election in Queensland, and team Victoria is now gearing up to provide the only real voice of opposition between the crisis-hit Victorian Government and moribund opposition. NSW is not far behind. The more we can do to support each state in turn through campaign help, fundraising and phonebanking, the more we can lift our presence and effectiveness as the 2016 federal election comes into view. Even as the impacts of global warming continue to break weather records, the Government has embarked on an unforgivable campaign to break the renewable energy industry on behalf of the coal and gas incumbents. The Government’s determination to make an example of vulnerable and traumatised asylum seekers – even at the cost of their lives – has veered from hostile to horrific. And the 2014-15 budget settled many peoples’ minds once and for all: This Government needs to go, and not a day later than necessary. Students, pensioners, parents, the unemployed and the homeless were pushed further to the wall while the big banks and miners had their profits protected.
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SENATOR FOR VICTORIA
DR RICHARD DI NATALE
T
he first year of an Abbott Government has followed a well-worn script. Tony Abbott ran an election campaign that studiously said nothing at all but when he got into power he turned out to have an extensive ideology-driven agenda. The government then tried to use the political theatre of so-called “independent” inquiries and reviews to justify announcing policies that were either never mentioned or completely ruled out before the election. Whether it be appointing a climate change denier to head up a review of the Renewable Energy Target or putting big business in charge of the Commission of Audit, this shameless government picked the players and wrote the rules in order to rig the game.
Much like my previous committee, it will hear evidence from individuals and groups around the country so that we can really understand how people will be affected. I want to demonstrate what it means for a 26 year old who has finished a degree but can’t find work so they’re cut off Newstart. I want to show what happens when we make it too expensive for people to see their doctor or fill a prescription. This is a battle for the soul of our country and the Greens are the only ones with the vision and courage to truly take the fight up to Tony Abbott.
The government got exactly what it wanted out of the Commission of Audit – a blueprint for tearing apart Australia’s social fabric based on a confected budget crisis. I chaired a senate inquiry into the Commission of Audit because the Greens wouldn’t buy the lie. We heard evidence from economists, academics, unions and business groups from across the country, and they told a very different story about the state of the Australian economy – one that is completely at odds with the Commission of Audit report.
“...the government thought they had sufficient political cover to unveil a brutal budget that is an assault on our health system, our schools, our universities and the most vulnerable amongst us. They were wrong.” Still, the government thought they had sufficient political cover to unveil a brutal budget that is an assault on our health system, our schools, our universities and the most vulnerable amongst us. They were wrong. The community isn’t buying what the government is selling when it comes to ridiculous thought bubbles like the GP copayment, and neither are the Greens. But the Greens’ efforts to bust the budget haven’t been limited to how we vote in the Senate. We have been holding forums and rallies around the country. Personally, the committee work I did to expose the truth about the Commission of Audit will now shift its focus onto the budget itself. I have been appointed chair of a new Senate Committee into the impacts of the Abbott Government’s budget cuts.
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SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA PENNY WRIGHT
A
gain a huge year for the Australian Greens and my team, working in my portfolio areas of legal affairs, mental health, schools and veterans affairs.
There has been no reprieve from this government’s attacks on vulnerable people and our environment since they took office last September. While the attacks are relentless, I value the ‘wins’ where we find them: the doorknocking conversations that prompt voters to reconsider their opinion of the Greens; collaborating with experts and community groups to achieve shared goals; pursuing legislation that makes for a fairer, more caring society. Step by step (and always two steps forward to every step backward) we are actively creating change – and ensuring a voice for those in Australia for those who value community, justice and a healthy, safe future for those who come after us. I often think, “who would be speaking these truths if the Greens were not here – in the parliament?” I have continued my work for great schools for every kid in Australia. In addition, the Greens have always fought for our public schools to be secular. In May’s Federal Budget the Coalition announced they would be pouring $245 million into the National School Chaplaincy Program, while removing the right of schools to use their funding for a secular youth worker. At a time when teenagers are more likely to die by suicide than in a car accident, this decision is indefensible. The Greens’ strongly-held position is that this money would be better spent on employing qualified mental health professionals in our schools and I have been very active in advancing this policy. The High Court has since deemed the funding for the Program to be invalid and I will advocate fiercely for secular public schools and proper mental health support for students when the Coalition try to find another way to fund the program. I recently established a Senate Inquiry looking into the illicit gun trade in Australia. There are an estimated 250,000 illicit weapons on our streets and too many gun tragedies. Most of these weapons started out as legally-owned so we need to look at how to reduce the number of legal guns in Australia if we are to effectively tackle gun-crime. To keep Australian communities safe, it’s crucial we know more about the problem we’re dealing with. The Inquiry will look at how the gun trade is working; who’s behind it, how they are operating and what we can do about it. It will also investigate new technology, like the use of 3D printers to fabricate plastic guns unable to be detected by security scanners, and the efficacy of banning semi-automatic guns to prevent gun deaths in Australia.
Another win was overcoming the government’s attempt to impose a new $120 fee to go bankrupt. Aware that most people who go bankrupt have earned less than $30,000 in the previous year and that unemployment is the primary cause of non-business related bankruptcy, I knew it was a huge barrier standing in the way of financially-embattled people striving to regain control of their lives and start afresh with a clean slate. Charging people a fee to go bankrupt is not only illogical but dangerous policy, with potentially serious impacts on the mental health of already-vulnerable people. It was satisfying to work with financial counsellors and consumer advocates to successfully negotiate the removal of this fee by the government.
“There are an estimated 250,000 illicit weapons on our streets and too many gun tragedies. Most of these weapons started out as legally-owned so we need to look at how to reduce the number of legal guns in Australia...” I have continued to be passionate about supporting and expanding mental health services for Australians - in the bush and in our cities. Following concerns I encounter everywhere I meet parents and teachers, I have established the Parliamentary Friends of Youth Mental Health to provide a forum for young people (and their carers) to engage with their elected representatives about factors affecting their mental health and wellbeing. The group has been a wonderful success, recently bringing together young people and politicians in a workshop to explore the potential of online mental health services. Our next event, in collaboration with the Butterfly Foundation, will focus on body image and eating disorders. I aim to encourage a broad discussion about the many factors influencing the mental health and wellbeing of our precious young people, to promote their flourishing and resilience. As always, I am thankful for all those who make the work we do worthwhile – and possible – the office bearers, staff and most importantly, our loyal members. I’m often reminded that the world is run by those who turn up. The Australian Greens are incredibly lucky to have so many dedicated, inspiring people willing to continually turn up – even when the going gets tough. Thank you.
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SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND LARISSA WATERS
W
ith the election of the Abbott Government, hardfought wins for the environment and women’s rights are at stake. While we’re also looking to make gains in both of these spaces, we can’t afford to let the government get away with any of the backward steps it plans on taking. It’s wonderful to have the support of so many passionate Greens members and both the environment and women’s movements to achieve that. In the environment space, we’ve campaigned strongly against the destruction of national environment protections; the industrialisation of the Great Barrier Reef and the expansion of unconventional gas and coal. The Abbott Government is signing up state governments to its plan to hand federal environmental approval powers to Premiers, winding back 30 years of national environment protection. The States can’t be trusted to protect the environment – the risk of corruption and cronyism is too high. If State Premiers had their way, the Great Barrier Reef would be scarred by oil rigs, and the Franklin River would be dammed. But the fight to save our national environment laws is far from over – we’ve been working with a wide range of groups to rally public opposition to this retrograde step and will continue to fight for our iconic landscapes and wildlife, which are simply too precious to lose.
“...it was a privilege to take on the women’s portfolio and to meet so many wonderful people working for women’s rights through advocacy and at women’s refuges. The personal stories shared throughout these meetings really brought home to me our country’s shameful domestic violence crisis.”
was suspended due to the sustained community protest. This year, it was a privilege to take on the women’s portfolio and to meet so many wonderful people working for women’s rights through advocacy and at women’s refuges. The personal stories shared throughout these meetings really brought home to me our country’s shameful domestic violence crisis. One woman a week is killed by domestic violence in Australia and one in three women have experienced violence. I’ve initiated a Senate Inquiry into domestic violence that will assess the effectiveness of government responses. The Inquiry will also make clear how brutally the Abbott Government’s budget will impact victims of domestic violence and I hope as a result will prevent these cuts from occurring. We’ve also strongly advocated for solutions to the gender pay gap, which atrociously sits at 18 per cent. Although the Abbott Government is threatening to water down requirements for businesses to provide information about how many women they employ and how much they are paid, we’re vocally opposing this, as are quite a few progressive businesses. As our work in the women’s portfolio continues, we’ll continue to work toward eradicating violence against women and the gender pay gap. As well as progressing our women’s and environment campaigns, we’re looking forward to our state election next year, which will give Queenslanders the chance to kick out Campbell Newman, after his repeated attacks on our environment and community. I can’t wait to work with our excellent local candidates to communicate with Queenslanders across the state that the Greens stand for a more caring society and protecting our environment and climate for future generations.
This year saw the federal approval of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest coal mine in the Galilee Basin and the associated coal port at Abbot Point, the world’s largest, in the Great Barrier Reef. Public opposition to both of these projects has been loud and clear. Those raised voices have been heard inside the halls of Parliament, and the Government is under pressure. I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people up and down the coast of Queensland working to save the Great Barrier Reef, including fishers, tourism operators, scientists and grass-roots environmental activists. I’ve also really enjoyed travelling to regional areas in Victoria, Western Australia and New South Wales to meet communities locking the gate to coal and gas to protect their land and water. A highlight of the year was visiting the Bentley blockade in the Northern Rivers just after Metgasco’s tight gas drilling license
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SENATOR FOR NEW SOUTH WALES LEE RHIANNON
T
he election of the Liberal/National government has seen Australia shift further to the right on nearly every domestic and foreign issue. Our community campaigns are stepping up to meet this challenge. In the Senate I have won support on a number of issues – we set up a Senate inquiry into TAFE, our motion to retain the National Water Commission was passed along with motions calling on the NSW Liberal/National government to retain public housing at Millers Point; higher education funding; more money for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria; and for National TAFE Day.
HIGHER EDUCATION The most important investment a government can make in a country’s future is in public education. The $5 billion cut the Coalitions has planned for higher education will limit opportunities for young people by reducing funding to universities and shifting more debt onto students. Women, people from low income families and regional communities will be hit hardest. I have been working to expose the impact the cuts will have. My office built a very popular online calculator whatwillmydegreecost.com.au to expose the increased costs students will face. We are working closely with the National Tertiary Education Union and the National Union of Students, and I have spoken at numerous forums and rallies. The Greens vision for higher education is about opportunity, empowerment and accessibility through a publically funded higher education system. We will continue to work hard to build up higher education in Australia.
ANIMAL WELFARE The horrific cruelty of live exports continues with neither Labor nor the Coalition willing to end this trade and assist industry to expand export markets in chilled box meat. I have a bill before parliament to end the live export trade and a transition plan for the industry. I also have a bill before the Senate to ban the import of cosmetics and their ingredients that have been tested on animals. The Greens’ bill follows the European Union’s successful ban.
DEMOCRACY We are working for a national ICAC and are drafting a Clean Up Australian Politics Bill that addresses electoral funding and lobbying. With the federal Liberals increasingly caught in the NSW ICAC spotlight, the government should back federal oversight. Nearly 7000 people have signed the Greens’ petition calling for a National ICAC. We are also campaigning to reform Senate voting by removing group voting tickets. The major parties are now supporting the Greens position and the recent Senate report on this had a consensus position that if implemented would ensure voters determine their preferences not backroom party deals.
OVERSEAS AID A very ugly budget measure was the $7.6 billion cut to Australia’s foreign aid budget, resulting in many lifesaving programs in low income countries being wound back. Of particular concern is the Coalition’s demand that all aid must prioritise Australia’s “national interest”. I have won some support in the Senate for more aid spending, I have spoken in the Senate on the massive damage to aid projects in Gaza as a result of the attack by Israel and have worked with Labor MPs on the Canberra Declaration on Gaza which was signed by more than 70 former and current MPs including former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser gazadeclaration.com
WATER AND THE MURRAY DARLING BASIN The failure of the Nationals to represent the needs of rural communities has been laid bare with the government’s plan to wind up the National Water Commission and remove the Water Trigger. I have been working with industry groups, including the National Water Association, the Australia Water Services Association and the National Farmers Federation, to maintain these important achievements. A successful motion calling on the government to save the National Water Commission was put up by myself and Senator Nick Xenophon.
NSW With the NSW population making up a third of the country I spend much time meeting with local communities. A highlight was my visit to Leard Forest where over 200 people have been arrested in the past year for taking direct action to prevent the construction of a massive coal mine. Unemployment, particularly in regional and rural areas and western Sydney, is on the rise and hitting young people particularly hard. We are about to launch the Greens Jobs Plan for the Hunter and Western Sydney.
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SENATOR FOR TASMANIA PETER WHISH-WILSON
G
andhi once famously said: ‘You must be the change you want to see in the world.’ A simple statement, but from my experience nothing better encapsulates the philosophy and spirit of the Greens. I’ve never been prouder to represent the people of Tasmania and stand up for Green values. My second full year as a senator was very busy and I made real progress across my portfolio areas of Trade, Competition Policy, Small Business, Consumer Affairs, Fisheries, Marine (TAS), Whaling and Tasmania. I’m also recently honoured to have taken on the portfolio responsibility for veterans’ affairs from my party room colleague Penny Wright. I took on the portfolio as I have an understanding of the issues through my own military service, I know many veterans and also have an ongoing interest in military history and affairs.
FISHERIES, MARINE (TAS) AND WHALING As a passionate surfer, my deepest and most enduring bond is with the ocean. It has long been the Greens view that Australia needs to take a leadership role in ending whaling. I took over the Whaling portfolio late last year and I worked hard to keep pressure on the federal government to take a stronger stance on whaling and marine protection in the Sothern Ocean and Antarctic waters. We recently established an historic Australia-first Inquiry into “Australia’s future activities and responsibilities in the Southern Ocean and Antarctic waters.”
“The Liberal National coalition government has dropped the ball on whaling and illegal fishing in the Southern Ocean. This Inquiry will investigate what needs to be done into the future to carry our weight in this unique environment.” This inquiry means the Senate finally has a chance to highlight and review Australia’s activities in our vast Southern Ocean waters and to look at what we are doing well and what could be done better. The Liberal National coalition government has dropped the ball on whaling and illegal fishing in the Southern Ocean. This Inquiry will investigate what needs to be done into the future to carry our weight in this unique environment. On 9 July this year I attended the Parliament House Dinner for the Japanese Prime Minister, and was able to meet and talk with Shinzo Abe. I took the opportunity to respectfully hand him a letter from Sea Shepherd founder Captain Paul Watson and asked that he read the letter. This was the first time Captain Watson had written to Shinzo Abe and in the letter he appealed to Japan’s PM personally, and respectfully, to reconsider any plans for a continuation of lethal whaling research in the Southern Ocean.
A NATIONAL CASH-FOR-CONTAINERS SCHEME Possibly the single biggest global pollution problem in our oceans - and on our beaches - is accumulated plastic. Studies have shown a significant proportion of marine plastic is from single use plastic drink containers. Beverage containers are choking our marine life and poisoning our oceans. “Cash for containers” schemes or container deposit schemes (CDS) see recycling rates for beverage packaging of between 80-90% around the world, a crucial mechanism for keeping cans and bottles out of our marine ecosystems. Polling shows that up to 91% of Tasmanians support the implementation of a container deposit scheme and studies predict this scheme will create around 300 full-time and 80 part-time jobs in Tasmania, yet the major parties have so far refused to support the legislation required. The reason for this is that big self-interested corporations, like Coca Cola, use their deep pockets to oppose and lobby against these schemes. To prove just how effective these refund schemes are I have run a series of clean ups around Tasmania with my mobile recycling trailer.
THE TROJAN HORSE IN OUR SECRETIVE TRADE AGREEMENTS Leaked chapters from the massive Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement (TPP) trade negotiations and the recent KoreaAustralia Free Trade Agreements (KAFTA) provide clear and chilling examples of the government’s intent to allow foreign companies to have influence over significant areas of public interest and importance via Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) clauses. These clauses allow multinationals to sue the Australian Government in the future if they claim a local, state or domestic law harms their profits. Australia is already being sued under ISDS provisions over the tobacco-plain packaging case and with our government gung-ho on including them in current and future trade deals like KAFTA and the TPP litigation is only likely to increase. Including ISDS provisions in our trade deals leaves us vulnerable to being sued by foreign corporations for simply legislating to protect the environment or internet use, if those laws affect corporate profits. I introduced the Trade and Foreign Investment (Protecting the Public Interest) Bill 2014 into the Senate to ban Australia from entering into trade agreements that include ISDS. However, despite the overwhelming weight of evidence presented and... continued...
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submissions received in support of the bill, Labor and Liberal used their numbers on the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee to recommend that the Bill should not pass. Our dissenting report drew on the mass of credible evidence presented to the committee that litigation using ISDS has proliferated in recent times and is likely to increase into the future. As result of this Bill the chorus of concern has widened beyond civil society to include the Chief Justice of the High Court, Chief Justice French AC, who recently called on the judiciary to involve themselves in the debate over this issue. I hope to bring this Bill to full debate in the Senate. Given the public have so much to lose from these provisions, the public have a right to hear why the major parties are choosing to back foreign corporations over the parliament’s right to legislate. Reforms that strengthen consumer protections – Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) legislation Only days after the Government received a damning Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Senate Inquiry report that highlighted poor standards and culture in the financial advice industry and a failing regulator, the Government sought to deregulate the sector further.
VETERANS’ AFFAIRS The Greens are a party of peace and non-violence. It’s a sad fact of our history that we’ve had to be involved in numerous wars. The 2015 commemoration of the ANZACs and the
“As a nation and as individuals we need reminders in order to remember and honour the sacrifice of war and peacetime service, but we also need to be honest and forward-looking in how we do this.” Great War is an important time—a critical time—in our and in other nations’ histories. As a nation and as individuals we need reminders in order to remember and honour the sacrifice of war and peacetime service, but we also need to be honest and forward-looking in how we do this. We need to use this as a time to reflect on what the ANZAC legend is and reassess exactly why wars happen. I look forward to engaging with veteran communities and also to speaking more on the meaning and interpretation of this commemoration in the Senate over coming months.
The Greens joined a chorus of voices calling for reforms that strengthen consumer protections and break the salesbased cultures of the big end of town. Choice, Industry Super Australia, ASIC and the Government’s own hand-picked chair of the Financial Systems Inquiry, David Murray, have all criticised the current system and called for reforms to limit industry excesses. We have also responded by introducing the Corporations Amendment (Financial Advice) Bill 2014 to the Senate to provide improved definitions for consumers seeking financial advice. This Bill is a small step in reforming the legislation that governs the industry by providing consumers with a clear differentiation between personal and general advice.
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SENATOR FOR VICTORIA JANET RICE
A
s I write, it is almost exactly 12 months since I was elected as the 10th Greens senator in federal parliament. Together with Adam, we could now field a cricket team!
Last September’s election seems such a very long time ago in so many ways, yet just an instant in others. For most of the last year, I was in limbo: elected, but not yet having taken my seat. After the election, the advice from my colleagues was to make myself scarce. With no staff, no office and no salary, there are limits to what is possible as an elected representative! It was with this in mind that I headed to Antarctica over summer, thinking this was about as far away as possible. What I hadn’t counted on was getting stuck, and our expedition became the centre of an international media storm as we were rescued from our ship, the Akademic Shokalskiy.
It was great to spend the winter break establishing my office and getting to know my team. My terrific staff will be such a great resource for our campaigns over the coming years, particularly in my portfolios of transport and infrastructure, forests and tourism. My first speech was such a great opportunity to detail my background and my hopes and plans for the future: for urgent action on global warming, to protect our forests, for transport which works for people, the environment and our economy. The next two years in the Parliament with the current Government are going to be a challenge. Our focus has to be on building our campaigns and support in the community so that come the next election we have the political power to turf out Tony. I look forward to working with you to do this.
Regardless, it was an awesome experience and a great way to put Australian parliamentary politics into perspective! I filled the rest of my time as Senator-elect recruiting staff, familiarising myself with parliament and its workings, and planning and then undertaking my bike ride to Canberra through regional Victoria. This was such a wonderful way to travel – two weeks on the road, supported by a generous and dedicated team of Greens members and supporters, and meeting wonderful people from all walks of life.
“The first two weeks in Canberra were an exhilarating and exasperating introduction to being your elected representative...” I arrived in Canberra with so many stories from my journey. I heard from Hazara refugees in Shepparton desperate to be allowed to stay and contribute to Australia, from people passionate about renewable energy and tackling global warming in Daylesford, Murchison and throughout Victoria, and from people worried about the impact of the Abbott government’s brutal budget. Gary from Violet Town summed up what most were feeling: “It’s gonna hurt,” he said. And then it was on! The first two weeks in Canberra were an exhilarating and exasperating introduction to being your elected representative, as we fought for the retention of the price on carbon and the mining tax, and opposed laws encouraging state governments to privatise publiclyowned assets.
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INCOME & EXPENDITURE STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2014
2014
2013
$
$
Contributions from States
2,977,165
1,763,395
Donations - Cash
1,952,612
987,945
Donations - In-kind
36,066
-
Green Magazine
49,265
65,404
Federal MP Tithing
103,340
96,734
Grants
118,181
81,819
Meeting registrations
22,782
52,117
Interest income
14,746
9,327
Other Income
27,815
14,009
5,301,972
3,070,750
$
$
Accommodation and Utilities
36,029
38,023
Administration
72,496
23,626
2,804,507
387,726
8,015
15,166
84,921
47,921
1,075,397
618,981
Other funding support to States
486,073
68,000
Fundraising expenses
145,686
105,849
38,985
57,030
101,523
219,875
Meetings & Events
45,300
82,466
Other Operating Costs
33,158
24,117
INCOME
TOTAL INCOME EXPENSES
Advertising and Campaign Materials Consultants fees Contributions to Global Greens activities Fundraising allocations to States
Green Magazine Research
Staffing Costs
667,674
699,665
Travel and Accommodation
34,451
49,580
Website and database hosting and support
92,899
122,262
5,727,114
2,560,287
-425,142
510,462
-
-
-425,142
510,462
TOTAL EXPENSES NET SURPLUS FROM ORDINARY ACTIVITIES Less Income Tax Expense
NET SURPLUS AFTER INCOME TAX
PLEASE NOTE: These financial reports are extracts from the 2013-2014 audited report of the Australian Greens. Please contact the office if you would like a copy of the full report. 23
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 JUNE 2014
2014
2013
$
$
Cash and cash equivalents
709,829
439,838
Accounts receivable and other debtors
293,722
1,087,165
7,226
9,560
1,010,777
1,536,563
Property, plant and equipment
4,294
10,373
TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS
4,294
10,373
1,015,071
1,546,936
$
$
401,425
497,246
76,249
86,922
2,446
2,675
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
480,120
586,843
TOTAL LIABILITIES
480,120
586,843
NET ASSETS
534,951
960,093
Retained earnings
397,541
464,937
Reserves
137,410
495,156
TOTAL EQUITY
534,951
960,093
ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS
Other current assets
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS NON-CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable and other payables Employee Provisions Other liabilities
EQUITY
PLEASE NOTE: These financial reports are extracts from the 2013-2014 audited report of the Australian Greens. Please contact the office if you would like a copy of the full report. 24
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2014
2014
2013
$
$
6,430,698
2,455,436
Interest Received
14,746
9,327
GST Paid to or Refunded by ATO
38,705
-15,088
-6,211,948
-2,492,351
272,201
-42,676
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
-2,210
-7,733
Net cash used by investing activities
-2,210
-7,733
NET CHANGE IN CASH HELD
269,991
-50,409
CASH AT BEGINNING OF FINANCIAL YEAR
439,838
490,247
CASH AT END OF FINANCIAL YEAR
709,829
439,838
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Receipts from Members & Supporters
Payments to Suppliers & Employees Net cash provided by operating activities
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
PLEASE NOTE: These financial reports are extracts from the 2013-2014 audited report of the Australian Greens. Please contact the office if you would like a copy of the full report. 25
STATE & TERRITORY GREENS OFFICES ACT GREENS
AUSTRALIAN GREENS (SA)
act.greens.org.au 23/85 Northbourne Avenue, Turner GPO Box 2019, Canberra ACT 2601 Ph: 02 6140 3220 Fax: 02 6247 6455 office@act.greens.org.au
sa.greens.org.au 239 Wright Street, Adelaide SA 5000 Ph: 08 8212 4888 Fax: 08 8212 4822 saoffice@sa.greens.org.au
nsw.greens.org.au Suite D, Level 1, 275 Broadway, Glebe GPO Box 1220, Sydney NSW 2001 Ph: 02 9045 6999 Fax: 02 9519 2177 office@nsw.greens.org.au
NORTHERN TERRITORY GREENS
TASMANIAN GREENS tas.greens.org.au 208 Elizabeth Street, Hobart GPO Box 1132, Hobart TAS 7001 Ph: 03 6236 9334 Fax: 03 6236 9331 party@tas.greens.org.au
AUSTRALIAN GREENS VICTORIA
nt.greens.org.au PO Box 421, Nightcliff NT 0814 Ph: 0405 195 140 office@nt.greens.org.au
vic.greens.org.au First floor, 362 Little Collins Street, Melbourne GPO Box 4589, Melbourne VIC 3001 Ph: 03 9602 1141 Fax: 03 9602 1655 office@vic.greens.org.au
QUEENSLAND GREENS
THE GREENS (WA)
qld.greens.org.au Albion Peace Centre, 102 McDonald Road, Windsor PO Box 661, Albion BC QLD 4010 Ph: 07 3357 8458 office@qld.greens.org.au
wa.greens.org.au Ground floor 445 Hay Street. Perth PO Box 3022 East Perth WA 6982 Ph: 08 9221 8333 Fax: 08 9221 8433 office@wa.greens.org.au
DESIGN BY SEEDPOD
THE GREENS NSW