Australian Greens ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
Representatives ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
Staff Authorised by Andrea Millsom 8-10 Hobart Place Canberra ACT
Brett Constable - Nat. Manager e: brett.constable@greens.org.au
Licensed under CC-BY-NC Aus 2.5
Susan Sussems - Fundraiser e: susan.sussems@greens.org.au
National Officers
Chris Harris - Campaign Coord e: chris.harris@greens.org.au
Chris Dubrow - Online Comms e: chris.dubrow@greens.org.au Mark Quinn - Office Manager e: mark.quinn@greens.org.au
Convenor Andrea Millsom e: convenor@greens.org.au
Andrew Dockery - Database e: andrew.dockery@greens.org.au
Secretary Neil Cotter e: secretary@greens.org.au
Dave Abbott - Policy e: david.abbott@greens.org.au
Treasurer Chris Maltby e: treasurer@greens.org.au
Margie Law - International Dev e: margie.law@greens.org.au
Policy Coordinator Maiy Azize e: policy@greens.org.au
Mark Quinn - Office Manager e: mark.quinn@greens.org.au
International Co-Secretaries
Helen Thompson - Finance e: helen.thompson@greens.org.au
Alex Bhathal & Bob Hale e: international@greens.org.au
National Office www.greens.org.au Gnd Floor Unit 4 Jacobs House 8-10 Hobart Place GPO Box 1108 Canberra ACT 2601 p: 02 6140 3217 f: 02 6247 6455
Green Mag Editor seedpod e: greenmag@greens.org.au p: 0413 056 901
Federal MPs Senator Christine Milne e:senator.milne@aph.gov.au GPO Box 896, Hobart TAS 7001 p: 03 6224 8899 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 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 13, Commonwealth Bank Building, 100 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000 p: 08 8205 1063 Senator Larissa Waters e: senator.waters@aph.gov.au GPO Box 228, Brisbane QLD 4001 p: 07 3001 8120 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 GPO Box 158, Hobart TAS 7001 p: 03 6224 3222
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Contents ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
Representatives................................................................................................ Inside Cover Contents...............................................................................................................................1 National Convenor Andrea Millsom.....................................................................................2 National Manager Brett Constable......................................................................................3 National Secretary Neil Cotter............................................................................................4 National Treasurer Chris Maltby.........................................................................................5 National Policy Coordinator Maiy Azize...............................................................................6 International Co-Secretaries Alex Bhathal and Bob Hale ��������������������������������������������������7 Senator for Tasmania and Parliamentary Leader Christine Milne ������������������������������������8 Member for Melbourne and Deputy Parliamentary Leader Adam Bandt ��������������������������9 Senator for Western Australia Rachel Siewert.................................................................10 Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young............................................................11 Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam....................................................................12 Senator for Victoria Richard Di Natale...............................................................................13 Senator for South Australia Penny Wright........................................................................14 Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters............................................................................15 Senator for New South Wales Lee Rhiannon.....................................................................16 Senator for Tasmania Peter Whish-Wilson........................................................................17 INCOME & EXPENDITURE STATEMENT.............................................................................18 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION..............................................................................19 STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS.............................................................................................20 State and Territory Greens Offices..................................................................... Back Cover
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National Convenor ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
Andrea Millsom This has been a momentous year for the Greens. It is our 20th year. We have a new parliamentary leadership team. We grow in strength and influence. We have Denticare and an economic framework which prices carbon thanks to the skill of our federal MPs. Thanks to the Greens, Australia leads the world in a legislative framework for tackling climate change. We continue to see our role in the global green community grow in stature and influence. Australia has hosted the Global Greens Secretariat for two years now. There are many people who helped make this year a successful one. A special mention to the people listed below, who are but a small number of the people who made the Australian Greens, over all or part of this, our 20th year, a great organisation: • Neil Cotter (AG Secretary, AGCG, Constitutional Committee) • Naomi Waizer (Deputy AG Secretary, AGCG) • Chris Maltby, (AG Treasurer, AGCG) • Di Evers (Deputy AG Treasurer, AGCG) • Derek Schild (Deputy Convenor, Donations Reference Group, AGCG) • Ben-Spies Butcher (Deputy Convenor, NECC, CCWG) • Christine Cunningham (AGCG, CCWG) • Rosalie Woodruff (AGCG, QDMG) • Debbie Gibson (AGCG, QDMG) • Ebony Bennett (AGCG, NECC & CCWG) • Josh Wyndham-Kidd (AGCG, NECC & CCWG) • Jeremy Press (NECC) • Erin Farley (AGCG, NECC, CCWG & FWG) • Nicole Rodger (FWG) • Adrian Glamorgan (Strategic Plan Reference Group) • Mehreen Faruqi (Strategic Plan Reference Group) • Lesa De Leau (Strategic Plan Reference Group) • Margaret Blakers, (Green Institute, Global Greens Co-ordinating Group) •
Alex Surace, (Global Young Greens, Australian Young Greens)
• Amy Tyler (Global Greens, Australian Young Greens) • Bob Hale and Alex Bhathal (Co-international Secretaries) • Maiy Azize (Policy Co-ordinator) • Clare Ozich (Policy Co-ordination Committee) • Michael Aaronson (members web-pages)
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• Andrew Bartlett (QLD Convenor, QDMG) • Liam Farrelly/Alex Bhathal (Vic Convenor, QDMG) • Craig Wilkins (SA Convenor, QDMG) Catherine Brown/Tom Allen (Tas Convenor, QDMG) • James Ryan/Mark Riboldi (NSW Convenor/principal delegate, QDMG) • Kim Dravnieks (WA Co-convenor, QDMG) • Simon Copland (ACT Convenor, QDMG) • Simon Niblock (NT Convenor, QDMG). They have been ably supported in their work by staff of the Australian Greens - Brett Constable (National Manager), Chris Harris (Campaigns), Chris Dubrow (Online Communications), Susan Sussems (Fundraising), Mark Quinn (Canberra Office), Dave Abbott (Policy), Bill Honeychurch and Helen Thompson (Finance), Margie Law (International Development) and Andrew McNaughton (Database Systems). Our federal parliamentary team have showed real leadership on issues such as refugees and climate change this year, in a challenging parliamentary environment. Lead by Christine Milne and Adam Bandt after Bob’s departure, our team in Federal Parliament was Rachel Siewert, Scott Ludlam, Larissa Waters, Lee Rhiannon, Richard Di Natale, Bob Brown and after him, Peter Whish-Wilson, Sarah Hanson-Young and Penny Wright. We all wish Bob well in what is his fourth career, as ambassador for special places everywhere, and building the global movement. This year saw the third Global Greens Congress in Dakar, Senegal, together with meetings of the Global Young Greens and Asia Pacific Greens. Many private individuals as well as Australian delegates helped make these meetings successful, and in particular securing global commitment to a strong and permanent Global Greens Secretariat. Thanks to all who played a part. This year also saw the establishment of the Country Greens and the first conference of the Australian Young Greens in Hobart. It has been a year of review and renewal, with policy, strategic planning and constitutional review processes underway. And we have prepared for the looming Federal election. The next Annual Report will undoubtedly focus on a year of campaigning, a year in which we have provided positive leadership, were resourceful, skilful, creative, united and brave.
National Manager ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
Brett Constable The primary function of the national office is to support activities across the party in three key areas – systems, fundraising and campaigning. Over the past year significant progress has been made across all activities which in so many respects is only made possible through the cooperation and collaboration of State offices and volunteers, and our MPs. Since the last federal election the party has taken seriously the need to expand its capacity to work in these areas throughout the period between federal elections rather than just in the 12 months or so prior to the next. Consequently, we are more prepared for the next election at this point in the parliamentary term than we have ever been previously. In addition to these core functions, this last year has seen the employment of staff to support the policy review process and our international work funded by a grant from AusAID. These two activities are reported in more detail later by our Policy Coordinator and International Co-secretaries. One of the biggest challenges we face internally is to ensure our communications are such that the activity happening in one
“ Over the past year significant progress has been made across all activities which in so many respects is only made possible through the cooperation and collaboration of State offices and volunteers, and our MPs. ”
area of the party is known and understood by all other areas – what is being done; what member, volunteer, and budgetary support is required; what will be the impact in terms of actions and proposals for broader consideration; what timelines are being worked to, etc. To meet the communication challenges presented by the dispersed nature of our work, we are about to launch a new members website which will form the hub for our activities at all corners of the party. This is a project which has been crying out for attention for some time and it is great that we have finally found the ability to make it happen. Not only will it support better communication within the party but also greater opportunities for engagement of members in the hands on work required to make everything happen. Our biggest external challenge is to generate the funding necessary to mount the campaigns essential to continue our growth and success. We are in no doubt that our success at the last federal election was largely due to our advertising in the final two weeks of that campaign which was only made possible through the very generous $1.6m donation from Graham Wood, the founder of Wotif. Unless we can mount future campaigns at least as strong as the last election in the final weeks, our vote will be overtaken by the excessive noise generated by the very well-funded advertising machines of Labor and the coalition. Being able to consistently attract the financial contributions from our members and supporters to every one of our appeals, be they for operational or campaigning purposes, is crucial to ensuring we are as well prepared as we need to be and able to implement campaigns of the scale necessary to continue and expand our role in Australian politics. Thank you to all our supporters, members and staff in all offices for the energy and enthusiasm brought to our task daily over this last year, and for all the work ahead of us for the next election.
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National Secretary ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
Neil Cotter I have spent my two years volunteering as National Secretary contributing to the Australian Greens Coordinating Group (AGCG), negotiating agendas, compiling minutes and otherwise seeking to facilitate National meetings. I have also provided advice on compliance with the constitution and bylaws. I have sought to ensure we articulate decisions as bylaws, and take into account our previous decisions so articulated. I have put forward proposals like the Quick Decision Making Group bylaw and the Internal elections bylaw to formalise processes previously only covered by convention. I think this will prove to be more important as the Party continues to grow. This is an ongoing process, and one that hopefully will also be addressed by the current constitutional review. Via the Constitution Review, we are undergoing a nation-wide consultation with members in relation to the party’s identity, structure and purpose that will culminate in a Constitutional Convention next year. We are seeking to adapt to the opportunities and challenges presented by increasing membership and parliamentary representation. I urge all members to engage with this process as it unfolds as it will determine how the party evolves as an organisation, and how able it is to adapt to the challenges ahead. So far the review has revealed some different points of view on how the Party could be optimally structured. A difference that has clearly emerged is between those who support the status quo structure of a confederation of States, and those who support moving towards a more national structure. However the review is open to exploring constitutional change on any matter beyond this more fundamental issue of structure. I have also just finished up as Queensland Greens Secretary and I am seeking to spend less time on administration and more time campaigning and on policy, the real reasons th4at people join a political party in the first place. However the administration is important and I would like to express my thanks to the other members of the AGCG who have volunteered their time to keeping the party going. I would especially like thank Andrea Millsom who has been a very hard working and extraordinarily patient Convenor and Brett Constable for the incredible amount of work he does as National Manager.
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“ We are seeking to adapt to the opportunities and challenges presented by increasing membership and parliamentary representation. �
National Treasurer ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
Chris Maltby The role of National Treasurer is only possible with the hard work of the Australian Greens staff, in particular the National Manager, Brett Constable. I extend my thanks to them for their dedication. The 2011/12 financial year was the first full financial year following the 2010 federal election, and so our accounts show a significantly reduced level of activity as compared to the 2010/11 year. The three year budget for the period to the next election (expected late 2013) was in draft form until the March 2012 Council meeting due to longer than anticipated negotiations with States and due to uncertainty about changes to federal election funding laws. We have, however, tracked fairly well against the interim and adopted budgets over the year – with the accounts showing an end of year result somewhat more positive due mostly to timing of receipts and expenditure items. I would like us to work toward having our next budget in place right after the next election; the strategic issues will need resolution in the coming year if this is to be possible.
Honeychurch and engaged Helen Thompson to replace him. Helen’s accountancy qualifications have lifted some of the accounts administrative burden from our National Manager. The other key staffing development has been the recruitment (after the close of the financial year) of a database specialist, Andrew Dockery. The shortage of staff resources to develop our website, database and contact relationship management system has been a significant burden for other staff. The national IT infrastructure is the first large project delivered by the national organisation, and though not without teething problems, does demonstrate that pooling our resources from across the party can yield benefits beyond the reach of individual states. This can become a model for improving our operations in other areas.
During the year we farewelled our long term bookkeeper, Bill
“ We have, however, tracked fairly well against the interim and adopted budgets over the year – with the accounts showing an end of year result somewhat more positive due mostly to timing of receipts and expenditure items. ”
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National Policy Coordinator ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
Maiy Azize This has been a big year for policy with the Australian Greens Policy Coordinating Committee (AGPCC) leading the review of our national policies.
The policy review has relied on the engagement and leadership of all AGPCC members, particularly the state and territory representatives. In 2011-12, the AGPCC included:
The Australian Greens policy platform has generally been reviewed after each election. The current review has sought to strengthen our suite of policies, to engage members in policy development, and to allow for policy initiatives to be pursued in the context of the new Parliamentary Budget Office. To assist in this process, Dave Abbott was employed from February on a part-time basis to support the work of the committee.
• Maiy Azize (National Policy Coordinator)
All members were asked for comment on the policies through their state and territory AGPCC representatives under a formal member consultation plan endorsed at March National Council. Under the plan, all AGPCC representatives were required to invite their state and territory members to input electronically, and to hold a minimum number of face-to-face consultative meetings. This feedback was then incorporated into further revisions, before the revised policies appeared for a further round of discussion prior to endorsement. With ongoing policy development in mind, the AGPCC has also drafted templates for ordinary members, local groups and other interested networks to submit proposals for policy initiatives for broader consultation and discussion. This ensures a standard format for the development of policy ideas, and entrenches member involvement.
“ AGPCC has successfully led the ratification of twenty-four policies, with the remaining eighteen due for ratification in November. ”
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• Clare Ozich (Party Room representative) • Adrienne Farago (NT delegate) • Jennifer Gow (Queensland delegate) • Hannah Parris (ACT delegate) • Cathy Peters (NSW delegate • Cameron Poustie (WA delegate Nov 2011 to Aug 2012) • Anthony Blond (WA delegate (from Aug 2012) • Warwick Smith (VIC delegate) • Matt Fisher (SA delegate) • Amy Tyler (TAS delegate) My thanks to everyone who has served on the AGPCC over the past year, to the AGCG for their continued support, and to all members who have volunteered their time to participate in the policy review and provide feedback. Particular thanks go to Dave Abbott for his work in supporting the committee and policy review throughout the year. At the time of writing, the AGPCC has successfully led the ratification of twenty-four policies, with the remaining eighteen due for ratification in November. We now look forward to entering a new phase in the operation of the AGPCC, in which the committee facilitates the involvement of members in policy development and leads the development of key policy priorities.
International Co-Secretaries ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
Alex Bhathal and Bob Hale This has been a very full and exciting year at the international level for the Australian Greens. We truly punch above our weight at a global level and our AG tradition of heavy involvement in the Global Greens has been proudly upheld over the past 12 months. In the lead up to the third Global Greens Congress, held at the end of March in Dakar, Senegal, Australian Greens’ local branches, state parties and individual members donated generously, and ensured that Australia was one of the major financial supporters of the Congress. Through the AusAIDfunded Australian Political Parties for Democracy Program, the Australian Greens sponsored the travel and attendance at the Congress of 8 women from within our Asia-Pacific region. Donations from Australian Greens members, local groups and state parties supported the attendance of a further 8 AsiaPacific regional delegates. The Congress passed over 40 resolutions, which included the formation of the Global Greens’ first Indigenous Network, a Parliamentarians’ Network and a Local Government Network. There were also a number of agreements reached about the future of the party, including a decision to establish a permanent Global Greens secretariat. Australia is one of three possible locations for the secretariat in its first phase of work, with the Canadian Greens and the European Green Party also putting in bids. At the time of writing we have just been through the first interviews in support of Australia’s expression of interest in hosting the secretariat. This year also saw the Australian Greens’ successful conduct of our first full year of involvement in the AusAID funded Australian Political Parties for Democracy program. Our first program received $156,000 in funding and upon its successful completion we have attained a further allocation for the next three years of $200,000 per annum. In order to administer the program effectively for the coming three years we have employed Margie Law as Project Coordinator for the program. At a regional level, the Australian Greens Global Issues Group has this year welcomed the formation of two more national Greens parties in the Asia-Pacific Greens Network, in Japan and Indonesia. We also donated funds and lent moral support to our nearest neighbours, the PNG Green Party as they fought their first national election campaign, which unfortunately did not see the election of any candidates. The Australian Greens also continues to support the development of the nascent Greens
party in the Solomon Islands. More recently, the Australian Greens have been heavily involved in an international response to the arbitrary arrest of the Chairman of the Pakistan Greens Party, Liaquat Ali Shaik, who was taken by police whilst undertaking aid distribution on behalf of the Pakistan Greens and was thankfully released approximately a fortnight after his imprisonment. As we write Bob Brown is about to embark on a trip to Rwanda, accompanying the exiled President of the Rwandan Greens, Frank Habineza, on his return to the country after the Deputy President of the party, Andre Rwisekera, was assassinated in the lead-up to Rwanda’s last national elections in 2010. We wish to thank the hardworking members of the Global Issues Working Group who advise our work: • ACT - Dierk Von Behrens • NSW - Armen Aghazarian (previously, Tony Hicks) • Qld - Elissa Jenkins • SA - Des Lawrence • Tas - Amy Tyler and Anna Reynolds • Vic - Elliot Gingold and Tamar Primoratz • WA - Leonie Lundy And we’d also like to thank all those generous members and local groups who have donated to the Global Greens over this past year.
“ At a regional level, the Australian Greens Global Issues Group has this year welcomed the formation of two more national Greens parties in the Asia-Pacific Greens Network, in Japan and Indonesia. ”
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Senator for Tasmania and Parliamentary Leader ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
Christine Milne Since the Greens got balance of power at the 2010 election, we’ve been pushing through some important reforms to set Australia up for a cleaner, fairer and more robust democracy. In April I took over the leadership of the party while Bob has embarked on a very busy retirement as he continues to share our message of strong community environmentalism with the country. I grew up on a dairy farm in North West Tasmania, and so my connection to the environment came from my connection to the land, to the changing seasons, and to the healthy, rich and fertile produce it could provide when cared for properly. I have been travelling around rural and regional Australia this year to talk to farmers and country people – I’ve been to Orange, Toowoomba, Port Augusta, the mouth of the Murray, Newcastle, NW Tasmania and Margaret River, so far. The Greens and country people have a lot we agree on and a lot we can work together on. We have an absolute commitment to maintaining a sustainable ecosystem and keeping farmers on the land. We want to work together on improving free-trade agreements so that they take into account the costs to Australian farmers of environmental and labour standards. I’ve introduced a bill on country of origin labelling for food because too many people who want to buy Aussie made produce are being misinformed about what’s actually Aussie grown. I’m working with farmers on biosecurity issues and I’m calling on the government to look closely at our biosecurity risk assessment system
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because we need to protect our food from foreign pests. I’m also working on the issue of food security, which we know is a growing challenge with a growing world population, global warming and more erratic weather patterns. I am fighting hard to protect our land and water resources for the next generation by asking for a better national interest test when foreign investment is proposed so that our most precious resources – our land and our water – are protected for the next generation and can feed into global markets and not just to selected ones. I have been meeting with progressive business people around Australia, with renewable energy companies, with economists and auditors and have been overwhelmed by their support. We are the most economically credible party because we are preparing for the undisputable challenges of climate change and what that will do to our ecosystem, to our cities, our agriculture, our health, and yes our economy. While the other parties keep their heads stuck in the sand and argue who will slash the public service the most, we are coming up with solutions to raise government revenue while improving our health and education systems. We need to stop subsidising multi-billion dollar multinational fossil fuel industries with billions of taxpayer dollars. We need to stop subsidising mining companies with our increasingly limited federal funds every time the states raise their royalties. These are the problems we have taken to Canberra and the public.
The carbon price started on July 1 and Tony Abbott’s doomsday apocalypse has not rung true. We have managed to set up a world-leading innovative scheme that has attracted the admiration of observers, environmentalists and economists all over the world. With this new revenue we have given money to low-income families, to renewable energy schemes to set us on track of surpassing our renewable energy target of 20% by 2020, and carbon farming initiatives which will help farmers improve biodiversity on their land. We have charged for pollution and reduced income tax so that you can now earn up to $18,200 tax free. We are putting people and nature at the heart of our vision and using the economic tools we have to help them. We are working to move away from a dig it up, cut it down and ship it away mentality, to one that cares for people, protects the environment and invests in creating a smart and diverse economy.
“ We are putting people and nature at the heart of our vision and using the economic tools we have to help them. ”
Member for Melbourne and Deputy Parliamentary Leader ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
Adam Bandt It’s two years since I gave my first speech in Parliament as the federal member for Melbourne. Since then, it’s been an amazing time for Melbourne and the Greens. We have delivered. • We’ve delivered the biggest investment into dental health in a generation. • We’ve delivered a landmark clean energy package to kick start the economic transition we need, making polluters pay and investing in clean renewable energy. • We’ve shifted the debate about marriage equality. • We’ve assisted hundreds of Melburnians to solve personal and community issues. It is becuse so many people worked so hard in 2010 to make history that we have managed to achieve so much. We wouldn’t have been able to do this without the thousands of members and volunteers who have worked so hard. Now we are facing a real uphill battle to continue this progress. As it stands, there is a strong push from the old parties to collaborate on preferences to try to lock out the Greens from the House of Representatives. With Labor and the Coalition working together we will need to work even harder to keep and grow our foothold in the lower house. There is a lot more we need to do together. We need to get dental into Medicare, lift Newstart and Youth Allowance by $50 a week and save some of our precious places like the Great Barrier Reef.
“ There is a lot more we need to do together. We need to get dental into Medicare, lift Newstart and Youth Allowance by $50 a week and save some of our precious places like the Great Barrier Reef. Keeping strong Green voices in both Houses of Parliament will be crucial to achieving these progressive reforms. ”
Keeping strong Green voices in both Houses of Parliament will be crucial to achieving these progressive reforms.
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Senator for Western Australia ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
Rachel Siewert This year has been just as busy as ever, even with 10 MPs in our team. With more of us to share the portfolios, we can now do more detailed work in our areas. We’re continuing to work hard to ensure stronger and fairer support for people into the future, especially those people on low incomes and income support payments. At the heart of this has been our campaign to increase some payments such as Newstart and Youth Allowance by $50 per week, in recognition of the fact that these payments entrench people in poverty. The payments are currently well below the poverty line and other forms of income support, such as the aged pension. I spent a week on Newstart earlier this year as part of the campaign, and also instigated the Senate Inquiry into these payments.
“ Another major campaign area, improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, continues on a number of fronts. ”
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Another major campaign area, improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, continues on a number of fronts. Our commitment in this area remains critical, given the passage of Stronger Futures legislation in the middle of the year that expands and extends the NT Intervention. Ending this flawed approach in the NT is a priority for us, and I am working hard to hold the Government to account for their policies and actions. In addition to providing the checks and balances needed, I am also continuing to consult with communities and develop policies and legislation to deliver meaningful outcomes. One such example of this is the Low Aromatic Fuel Bill, which would give the Government the capacity to mandate supply of non-sniffable fuel in areas at risk of petrol sniffing. Other areas of reform I’m working on include aged care and the NDIS. The Greens have been leading these debates for a number of years and I continue to consult closely with stakeholders and the community. People are finally realising that aged care reform is essential in light of our changing demographics, and there is now strong support for an NDIS – but will the proposals deliver? We are working hard to make sure they do. As always, it’s impossible to condense a year’s work into a few paragraphs, but I want to mention our ongoing campaigns to protect our marine environment into the future.
Since the Government announced a system of marine protected areas earlier this year, we’ve seen an ongoing scare campaign from the Liberals and Nationals, as well as some commercial operators against the plans. This comes despite the clear scientific evidence that points to the benefit of marine protection on long term fish stocks. The plans announced by the Government are a start, but I have areas of concern, such as the concessions made to the oil and gas exploration – prioritising profits ahead of protection. The ongoing battle between short term gains and long term sustainability is plainly visible in the Kimberley region of WA, where efforts to protect James Price Point are also continuing strongly. There is growing national awareness about the issue, supporting calls for the gas to be processed at an alternative location. In the face of this, the WA Government continues to find new ways to try and force the project onto James Price Point. I encourage you to visit the GreensMPs website for in depth information on these and the range of other issues I’m working on, including video and audio from Parliament and all of our latest media releases and campaign materials.
Senator for South Australia ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
Sarah Hanson-Young This year the campaign for marriage equality has gained great momentum. We have come a long way from 2009 when only the five Greens in the Senate voted in support of change. Fast forward to 2012 and 26 Senators supported a change in the Marriage Act and the States’ and Territories’ Greens are forging ahead. Next time we have a vote I am confident that we will see a change to end the current discrimination against same-sex couples. The campaign around the Murray Darling Basin Plan has been a huge project in 2012. We’ve been working hard along with scientists and communities to call for the minimum 4000GL of water to be returned to the river to ensure the long term health of the system. We’ve been running forums, a video and postcard campaign, and I enjoyed taking Christine on a tour of SA’s iconic Coorong and Lower Lakes region to meet with agriculturalists and environmentalists. The asylum seeker debate has occupied a lot of our time this year. We fought hard for a humane and lawful response that would save lives, care for refugees and uphold our obligations under the Refugee Convention. Regretfully, the government and Coalition pushed through the Pacific Solution Mark II which will see refugees imprisoned offshore for indefinite periods of time. The federal MPs will continue to push for measures to bring an end to the inhumane treatment of vulnerable men, women and children.
“ We are pleased that our long campaign for a National Children’s Commissioner has this year resulted in the Government finally establishing this critical statutory body to give children and young people a national voice and representation.”
We are pleased that our long campaign for a National Children’s Commissioner has this year resulted in the Government finally establishing this critical statutory body to give children and young people a national voice and representation. Throughout the year we’ve been speaking to many childcare groups about the critical reforms that are needed in that sector. We successfully moved in the Senate for the Productivity Commission to look at childcare funding, and this will be a continued focus next year. The federal election is just around the corner and my team and I are busy preparing ourselves for what is sure to be a tough, but exciting election battle.
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Senator for Western Australia ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
Scott Ludlam Australia is rapidly approaching a crossroads at the place where communications policy, privacy, freedom of speech and the rule of law come together. The Greens are big supporters of the National Broadband Network and have helped strengthen the case for public ownership and universal access to high speed telecommunications. As the conversation shifts to what Australians are using this technology for, unsettling questions are coming into focus. Who owns your data? Who has access to the minute-by-minute records of your location if you’re carrying one of those tracking devices also known as a mobile phone? Who is mapping your social networks, transactions, reading lists and health records? How accurate are the facial recognition algorithms that are slowly learning to recognise individuals as we move through public spaces ringed by networks of surveillance cameras? Are you comfortable that a wide variety of Government agencies, from Centrelink to the tax office and ASIO have essentially unfettered access to this expanding cloud of ‘metadata’ that maps nearly every aspect of our digital shadowselves? The Government’s terms of reference for their ‘National Security Inquiry (#natsecinquiry) sketches the architecture of a high-tech panopticon that would subject all Australian citizens to systematic, real-time surveillance. Criminals and terror suspects, yes. Also climate change campaigners, occupiers, trade union organisers and land rights activists. Worried? I think we should be. Get in touch if you’re keen to work with us on appropriate responses to the creeping militarisation of a medium that holds such potential for enabling a free and global civil society.
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“ The Greens are big supporters of the National Broadband Network and have helped strengthen the case for public ownership and universal access to high speed telecommunications. “
Senator for Victoria ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
Richard Di Natale My first year as a Senator has been a big one. I was very happy to open up my office in Geelong and I have been working on issues across my portfolios, which are health, sport, gambling, multiculturalism, East Timor and West Papua. The Greens have been campaigning for a universal Denticare scheme for years and this year we were finally able to lay the foundations for that vision. I led negotiations with the Minister for Health that delivered the biggest reform in dental health Australia has ever seen. We secured more than $4.5 billion in new funding, which will create a Medicare dental entitlement for kids and young Australians and invest in the public dental system so that there are better facilities and much smaller waiting lists. Pokies reform has been one of the biggest political issues this year and the Greens were at the forefront of the debate. I put forward the simplest, cheapest and most effective option for reform - $1 bet limits.
“ We secured more than $4.5 billion in new funding, which will create a Medicare dental entitlement for kids and young Australians and invest in the public dental system so that there are better facilities and much smaller waiting lists. �
We also tried to boost access to community sport for kids with an initiative that would bring down cost barriers and supporting volunteers. Earlier this year I launched the Pacific-chapter of International Parliamentarians for West Papua and recently formed the Parliamentary Friends for West Papua group. There is much work to be done but our first priority must be to push Indonesia to open up the region to foreign journalists and human rights monitors. These are only but a few of the issues, campaigns and initiatives my office has worked on this year. I look forward to continuing our work next year.
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Senator for South Australia ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
Penny Wright It has been a big year for our office and it is exciting to be making progress in some key policy areas. Nationally, and in South Australia, I have been promoting a Justice Reinvestment approach to criminal justice to reduce incarceration rates, particularly for indigenous Australians. In light of reports that David Hicks was subject to chemical torture while at Guantanamo Bay, I have continued to call for an independent inquiry focussing on the role of the then-Australian government in his incarceration and treatment. My recent referral of his case to a Senate committee was voted down by the old parties and we remain the only voice in Parliament seeking justice for Hicks. I have also continued to campaign for reform to our equality laws and the need for greater investment in legal assistance services to ensure access to justice for all Australians. I am currently conducting an Australia-wide consultation on key rural mental health issues and developing strong relationships with stakeholders to consolidate our leadership as the only party addressing the chronic underfunding of mental health services in country Australia. So far, I have held consultations in Hobart, Newcastle, Albany, Geraldton, Perth, Port Augusta, Barmera, Berri, Renmark, Murray Bridge, Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Mt Gambier. Further consultations in Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales are on the near-horizon. Closer to home, in SA I have been working on the Repower Port Augusta campaign, harnessing clear community support for transitioning Port Augusta’s Playford B coal power station to solar power instead of gas. I have also been working with the Kangaroo Island community and its leaders regarding the frightening prospect of oil and gas exploration off its west coast. As a society we need to be moving away from fossil-fuel reliance to become a renewable energy leader. .
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“ I have also been working with the Kangaroo Island community and its leaders regarding the frightening prospect of oil and gas exploration off its west coast. As a society we need to be moving away from fossil-fuel reliance to become a renewable energy leader. ”
Senator for Queensland ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
Larissa Waters It’s been just over a year since I was sworn in as a Senator, and two years since more than 312,000 Queenslanders chose a Green as their representative for the first time. Many people have taken the time to share their concerns with me about coal seam gas. Given that both the CSIRO and the National Water Commission don’t know what the long-term impacts of CSG mining will be on our water and land, it’s shocking that the Greens are the only party taking action against the rampant CSG industry in the Australian Parliament. Twice I’ve moved a motion to press pause on CSG until the science is done, and twice, the Labor, Liberal and National parties have voted it down. I still have two CSG bills before the Senate, to give farmers and our environment better protection against CSG developments, and I’m heartened by the strength of support in the community for our work. I’ve also been working hard to establish a brighter future for our World Heritage Great Barrier Reef. Recently, UNESCO sent a monitoring mission to Australia to investigate the potentially devastating impacts of the ALP Government’s plans for mass coal and gas exports through the Reef, and I was able to brief them one-on-one. The mission’s report recommended the Australian Government not approve any further developments until a strategic assessment is completed, which they have so far refused to do, but we are keeping up the pressure both in and outside Parliament.
And lastly, I’m launching a new campaign to stop the ALP Government from weakening our national environment laws, and handing over their environmental responsibilities to states like Queensland and New South Wales. We could really use your support on this one, so if you have some spare time, please visit tooprecioustolose.org.au. Thanks to my staff, Queensland party members, Australian Greens office bearers and of course the wonderful federal party room team, and everyone who has helped make this such a positive and action-packed year!
“ I’m launching a new campaign to stop the ALP Government from weakening our national environment laws, and handing over their environmental responsibilities to states like Queensland and New South Wales. We could really use your support on this one, so if you have some spare time, please visit tooprecioustolose.org.au. ”
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Senator for New South Wales ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
Lee Rhiannon The passage of legislation putting a price on carbon pollution was the exciting start to my term. A key campaign was continuing the Greens work for a ban on live animal exports. The evidence is now in that only a complete end to the trade can assure an end to suffering. We are building our higher education work by making the case that if Australia wants to fill jobs in skills shortage areas and become more globally competitive, the government must invest more. University and TAFE funding levels have slipped, leading to increased class sizes and bigger teaching workloads, along with increased casualisation and job losses. Other highlights include: • Campaigning to fight the government’s decision to defer a promised increase to our aid budget • Designing much needed reforms of electoral funding laws and the weak regulation of lobbyists • Championing women’s right to easily and safely access abortion services • Working with international human rights groups to lobby for an International War Crimes Tribunal to investigate allegations of war crimes during the Sri Lankan civil war. • In NSW we joined community campaigns: • Battling a new coal export terminal at Newcastle • Working to stop logging of the South East forests • Opposing the Bankstown income management trial • Standing up for the Murray Darling Basin • Seeking world heritage listing for the beautiful Royal National Park. This is just a taste of some of our work over this first year. Stay tuned at www.leerhiannon.greensmps.org. au
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“ We are building our higher education work by making the case that if Australia wants to fill jobs in skills shortage areas and become more globally competitive, the government must invest more. University and TAFE funding levels have slipped, leading to increased class sizes and bigger teaching workloads, along with increased casualisation and job losses. ”
Senator for Tasmania ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
Peter Whish-Wilson Well it’s certainly been a steep learning curve since I entered the Senate on July 1. It would have been nice to have had at least a couple of weeks to find my feet but the appearance of the ‘super trawler’ F.V. Margiris on the horizon put paid to that idea. The degree of public backlash against the vessel, first in Tasmania and then nationally, was somewhat unexpected, although neither the Liberals nor the ALP initially wanted to know about it, dismissing our concerns. The tide slowly turned in the debate when recreational and professional fisherman, tourism operators, ENGO’s asked me to take the issue to Canberra. Initially our efforts were treated with derision with the Fisheries Minister claiming we were misinformed and claiming there was little community opposition. This view changed when the lower house of the Tasmanian Parliament passed a motion opposing the operation of the Margiris off our coast. In a rare display of unity the motion received tri-partite support.
As they say the rest is history, although amendments to the final version of the bill mean a ‘super trawler’ could operate in Australia after a period of two years, so watch this space. Another important issue close to my heart is the issue of marine plastic contamination. I was lucky enough to meet a hero of mine, Capt. Charles Moore, when he came to Tasmania in September. Capt. Moore was a global pioneer on raising awareness on this issue and its effects on fish stocks and seabirds. The problem seems almost insurmountable but we can reduce the impact through the introduction of a national container deposit scheme (CDL). Studies have shown a link between reduced levels of marine plastic debris and regions with CDL as it provides an economic incentive to recycle plastic bottles, therefore reducing the risk of them ending up in our oceans. I expect CDL to be a long campaign but if we all keep chipping away at it the other parties will have no option but to support it.
Off the back of the lower house motion, opposition continued to build nationally with community opposition voiced from Western Australia to Queensland, providing the Greens with more leverage to pressure the Federal Government to intervene.
“ Studies have shown a link between reduced levels of marine plastic debris and regions with CDL as it provides an economic incentive to recycle plastic bottles, therefore reducing the risk of them ending up in our oceans.”
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PLEASE NOTE: The following abridged Statement of Income and Expenditure, Balance Sheet, and Statement of Cashflows are extracts from the 2011-2012 audited report of the Australian Greens. Please contact the office if you would like a copy of the full report.
INCOME & EXPENDITURE STATEMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
AUSTRALIAN GREENS (THE GREENS) INCORPORATED INCOME & EXPENDITURE STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2012 2012
2011
$
$
Contributions from states
864,069
1,266,885
Donations - cash
546,786
1,009,320
INCOME
Donations - in-kind
9,823
1,697,507
Green magazine
40,886
79,019
Federal MP tithing
76,675
43,921
140,853
11,402
Meeting registrations
36,224
21,053
Interest income
15,156
12,949
5,173
1,974
1,735,645
4,144,030
Accommodation and utilities
28,776
28,995
Administration
23,783
20,444
Grants
Other income TOTAL INCOME EXPENSES
Advertising and campaign materials
101,866
3,125,069
Consultants fees
31,144
29,367
Contributions to other activities
63,915
22,106
Fundraising allocations to states
267,169
260,843
Fundraising expenses
131,963
82,406
Green magazine
32,069
70,848
Market research
26,980
53,610
Meetings & events
47,376
35,670
Other operating costs
31,513
16,360
Staffing costs
524,114
336,648
Travel and accommodation
160,806
27,401
38,506
44,353
1,509,980
4,154,120
225,665
-10,090
-
-
225,665
-10,090
Website and database hosting and support TOTAL EXPENSES NET SURPLUS FROM ORDINARY ACTIVITIES Less Income Tax Expense NET SURPLUS AFTER INCOME TAX
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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 JUNE 2012 2012
2011
$
$
Cash and cash equivalents
490,247
434,794
Debtors and other receivables
213,103
29,047
6,296
6,779
709,646
470,620
Property, plant and equipment
7,516
5,400
TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS
7,516
5,400
717,162
476,020
264,228
246,656
3,303
5,398
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
267,531
252,054
TOTAL LIABILITIES
267,531
252,054
NET ASSETS
449,631
223,966
401,642
146,422
47,989
77,544
449,631
223,966
ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS
Other current assets TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS NON-CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors and other payables Other liabilities
EQUITY Retained earnings Reserves TOTAL EQUITY
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STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2012 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Receipts from members & supporters
2012
2011
$
$
1,506,854
2,675,605
Interest received
15,156
12,949
Gst refunded by ato
28,085
67,040
-1,490,238
-2,671,673
59,857
83,921
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
-4,404
-5,052
Net cash used by investing activities
-4,404
-5,052
Net increase in cash held
55,453
78,869
Cash at beginning of financial year
434,794
355,925
Cash at end of financial year
490,247
434,794
Payments to suppliers & employees Net cash provided by operating activities CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
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Tasmanian Greens
The Greens NSW
www.vic.greens.org.au First floor, 377 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne GPO Box 4589, Melbourne VIC 3001 Ph: 03 9602 1141 Fax: 03 9602 1655 office@vic.greens.org.au
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Queensland Greens
www.qld.greens.org.au Albion Peace Centre, 102 McDonald Road, Windsor PO Box 661, Albion BC QLD 4010 Ph: 07 3173 1127 office@qld.greens.org.au
Australian Greens (SA)
www.sa.greens.org.au 239 Wright Street, Adelaide SA 5000 Ph: 08 8212 4888 Fax: 08 8212 4822 saoffice@sa.greens.org.au