Green Party News August 2012

northern territory

Following our very successful local council election campaign in March where two Greens were elected to the City of Darwin Council and one to the Alice Springs Town Council, we’ve moved straight into planning our NT state election campaign.

As I write this report, the NT Greens are in the thick of the election, and by the time you read this the results should be known. We’ve announced six of our candidates and hope to have many more before nominations close. The seat of Nightcliff which is the Greenest suburb in the NT (24% at the last election) will give us our best chance. Issues we’ll be running on during the campaign will include; indigenous health, education and bi-lingual learning, public transport, planning and the transport and storage of nuclear waste in the NT to name just a few.

Thank you to all those who have helped with the campaign, especially the candidates and big thanks to our campaign manager Bharath Ragothaman who came up to Darwin from Sydney in January this year to work on both our council and NT Election campaigns. Your hard work and patience has certainly been appreciated.

Final results will be available at www. ntec.nt.gov.au We’ve recently held a Special General Meeting to adopt NT specific policy; this is a significant first for us. In the past we’ve relied on Australian Greens policy and now we have our own set of more nuanced NT policies – a big thanks to the team who’ve worked so hard on this.

In the lead up to the federal election next year, we must maintain our momentum and we will continue to meet regularly. With Greens on both Darwin and Alice Springs Councils there is a lot you can do to support your local representatives; preparing for council meetings, providing feedback and researching, organizing regular market stalls etc. We also have two vacancies on the Management Committee so if you have a spare hour or two a week get in touch – we need you!

QUeenSland

Things continue to be hectic in Queensland. We had the state election at the end of March, with a slight decrease in our overall vote but some good gains in many seats, including the Sunshine Coast region. A month later we had the Brisbane City Council elections – by far the largest local government authority in Australia – where our overall Mayoral vote went up by 2 per cent, as well as a byelection for former Premier Anna Bligh’s seat of South Brisbane. Despite a much larger number of candidates contesting the seat, our primary vote increased on that from the general election the previous month, achieving close to 20 per cent of the primary vote.

Since then, the newly elected Liberal National Party government has embarked on a frenzy of cost-cutting, as well as rapidly cutting thousands of public service jobs (in some cases blatantly breaching pre-election commitments) with indications that many more will be cut, funding of a range of services provided by community organisations is also being stopped. It is no surprise that the organisations being targeted are ones the LNP would see as philosophical enemies – groups such as the Environmental Defenders Office, Sisters Inside (which helps women prisoners), Healthy Communities (the former AIDS Council), an advice service for tenants, just to name a few.

With the state and local council elections now out of the way, the Qld Greens are moving quickly to getting candidates pre-selected for the next federal election. Our Senate pre-selection is now underway, with 3 very capable contenders having nominated, and many branches are in the process of finalising candidates for House of Reps seats.

andReW BaRTleTT Qld ConvenoR

SoUth aUStralia

South Australia has a very proud tradition of social innovation and progressive law reform. We were one of the first places in the world to allow women to vote; the first place in the world to ban rape in marriage; the first territory in the British Empire (outside Britain) to legally recognise trade unions, and we have been Australian leaders in drug law reform and the decriminalisation of homosexuality.

But there is one reform in particular that made it entirely appropriate for South Australia to host the first National Greens meeting following Christine Milne’s elevation to the party’s leadership: South Australia was the first place in the world to allow women to stand for Parliament.

We were delighted to host our Green friends from around the country at the July National Council and Policy Conference. The weather was kind, the mood congenial, and very good policy progress was made. A packed program of campaigning and candidate workshops proved popular. Huge thanks to Gabie Bond, Sandy Montgomery and the rest of the wonderful team of hard working volunteers who helped make the meeting such a success.

We have completed pre-selections for the Senate with a ringing re-endorsement of Sarah Hanson-Young as our lead candidate, with Nikki Mortier at No. 2.

The pre-selection process for lower house candidates will also begin shortly. We intend to fiercely protect the Senate seat (and with it, the balance of power) that Sarah has held since 2007. Preparations are also well advanced for our next state election in March 2014 where our aim is to pick up a third Upper House seat (and potentially the balance of power there as well).

Alongside election preparation, we are focussing on reforming our Constitution, which hasn’t been touched since the party was formed in 1995. Together with increasing the professionalism of our financial and administrative processes, the reform of our Constitution should see us in a strong position to reap success from the next election cycle.

taSmania

It has been a very exciting and challenging time for us here in Tasmania.

The resignation of Bob led to the most comprehensive and rewarding search for a replacement for the Senate vacancy.

We were delighted by the range of talented people who contested, and with our final decision of Peter Whish-Wilson.

We believe he will be an enormous asset for the party. Whilst on selections, we also had a great field when we advertised for a Campaign Director to drive our upcoming raft of elections and Philip Cocker has joined us; bringing with him a wealth of experience. We wish him well in his new role.

Selections for our Senate team and House of Representative candidates are well advanced and have been completed for the seats of Denison and Franklin. And as I write this our Denison Candidate, Anna Reynolds, has just been launched.

We are now the proud owners of a new web site which offers more ease of access to information. We are changing our communications mode with members and will shortly be using an e-Bulletin format to replace the paperbased magazine.

A real positive this year has been the emergence of an enthusiastic committed Young Greens community who are organising an Australian Young Greens conference in August (www.australianyounggreens.weebly. com) and the agenda is something to behold. They are currently running a national marriage equality T-shirt competition and are actively campaigning on the Denticare issue. We are also very proud to have supported Robyn Lewis, a wonderful young person who organised herself to go to Dakar for the Global Greens conference and now finds herself on the Global Youth secretariat for Global Greens. Truly inspiring!

Victoria

At the time of writing it appears Cathy Oke has achieved the greatest ever primary vote in a lower house seat in Victoria at the recent Melbourne byelection. The Greens recorded a primary vote of almost 37% achieving a 4% lead over the ALP. While it is disappointing that the Greens missed out on the seat by the slimmest of margins there is no doubt that it is still a result we can all be proud of.

The by-election saw the Australian Greens Victoria (AGV) organize, unite and take a step forward like never before. In fact, our rivals were publically commenting on how huge, active and organized our campaign was. Almost 1000 eager volunteers travelled from all over Victoria and Australia; keen to take the Greens’ progressive vision direct to the community by doorknocking the entire electorate.

The AGV is now straight back into campaign mode as it turns its full attention to the local government elections which will be held in October.

On the back of the results of the Melbourne by-election, the AGV plans to both double its representation on local government as well as gain the position of Lord Mayor of Melbourne.

The AGV will be holding its annual general meeting on Saturday 1 September 2012. It is the first state conference since the adoption of the new Constitution. All AGV members are greatly encouraged to attend.

liam FaRRelly aGv ConvenoR

CaTHeRine BRoWn Tas ConvenoR

CRaiG WilKins sa sTaTe ConvenoR

simon niBloCK nT ConvenoR

WeStern aUStralia

Carbon pricing had at least one unintended impact. Upper house MLC Alison Xamon spotted local energy company Synergy trying to pass on the price of carbon to its “Green power” customers, a baffling way to tax greenhouse gases.

Unconventional gas exploration is also contentious. Giz Watson MLC sought amendments and legislation that would have supported many farmers who are anxious about fracking exploration.

The Greens (WA) also attempted to disallow royalties of the Toro uranium mine with Robin Chapple MLC pointing out the environmental and social costs of the Wiluna enterprise are not being properly factored into the royalty price.

In the Kimberley the proposed gas hub at James Price Point has mobilised many people. Dinosaur prints, songlines and whale routes are just a few reasons Robin and Senator Rachel Siewert have been championing the Kimberley cause; supported by Bob Brown’s recent visit and many new Green activists on the ground.

Alison Xamon’s Hills Bill and Lynn MacLaren MLC’s Climate Change Readiness (Coastal Planning) Bill show the vision that is necessary to protect the environment and prepare for climate change. Lynn, together with Senator Scott Ludlam also presented a joint submission on the West Australian Bicycle Network Plan, supported by Scott’s remarkable bike black spot app for the iPhone.

Concerns for digital safety, militarisation of the net, and Julian Assange have prompted Senator Scott Ludlam to alert us to the National Security Review. Senator Rachel Siewert chaired the Forced Adoption Inquiry, campaigned for Constitutional Recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, opposed the NT intervention extension, and highlighted that Newstart is not enough for someone to live on!

A myth-busting public meeting with Cameron Poustie, who is standing for North Metro, was a great event and our growing membership supported World Refugee Day in June with a 1000 strong march.

As we approach the 9 March 2013 state election we know it will be a challenge but are committed to offering an alternative vision for our state.

adRian GlamoRGan paRTy developmenT manaGeR nt greenS PO Box 421 Nightcliff NT 0814 Ph: 0402 617 416 convenor@nt.greens.org.au www.nt.greens.org.au

QUeenSland greenS PO Box 661, Albion BC, 4010 Ph: 07 3173 1127 office@qld.greens.org.au www.qld.greens.org.au

SoUth aUStralian greenS 239 Wright Street Adelaide SA 5000 Ph: 08 8212 4888 saoffice@sa.greens.org.au www.sa.greens.org.au

taSmanian greenS GPO Box 1132 Hobart TAS 7001 Ph: 03 6236 9334 party@tas.greens.org.au www.tas.greens.org.au

Victorian greenS GPO Box 4589 Melbourne VIC 3001 Ph: 03 9602 1141 office@vic.greens.org.au www.vic.greens.org.au

Wa greenS PO Box Y3022 Perth WA 6832 Ph: 08 9221 8333 office@wa.greens.org.au www.wa.greens.org.au

green PARTY NEWS The latest news from our federal MPs and state convenors

AUGUST 2012

oUr Federal mPS Senator chriStine milne

It’s been a busy first few months as Greens leader as we forge through the initiatives that will see our party continue to build and grow.

I’ve been touring regional Australia to reconnect with the people across the countryside and hear so many of the challenges that confront country people.

In Orange I’ve been talking with farmers about the supermarket duopoly that has been cutting farm gate prices and the carbon farming projects that can bring good income to land holders while protecting our fragile ecosystems and mitigating climate change. I’ve been visiting renewable energy campaigners in Port Augusta who are working for projects that have such potential to rejuvenate regional areas with new jobs through clean power – setting themselves up as nation-leading examples. Also in Port Augusta, I helped launch Penny Wright’s rural mental health consultation. I’ve been to the Murray mouth to push for reforms that will keep our river system healthy – we simply cannot continue business as usual and expect to have a healthy river that can sustain our kids and grandkids into the future. And I’ve been to Toowoomba where we’ve been campaigning heavily to protect fertile agricultural land and our precious water reserves from coal and coal seam gas, urging the development of renewable energy over yet more fossil fuel expansion.

These are all issues that the Greens and much of rural and regional Australia see eye to eye on.

Meanwhile the carbon price arrived on July 1st and we didn’t see the apocalypse that Tony Abbott had been scaring Australians about. Since its implementation we have seen a shift away from fear mongering to some

intelligent discussion and debate, as well as plenty of thoughts on how to reduce power consumption – saving on bills and cutting the pollution that drives global warming. A great outcome thanks to the Greens. The parliament has been debating asylum seeker policy, which is a debate about people’s lives, their rights and their dignity. The Greens want asylum seekers at the heart of the debate.

The other parties do not want to take people seeking asylum in Australia, and want to send them anywhere but here.

That has been confused deliberately with the issue of saving lives at sea. Far from wanting people to suffer, the Greens want a regional framework, we want to support the UNHCR’s efforts to process people in Indonesia and Malaysia, and we want better search and rescue to stop people dying.

What we don’t want is turning boats back on the dangerous seas, trampling on people’s rights and embarrassing our international reputation. Australia can only achieve a regional framework if we uphold human rights. No other country will sign up to the Human Rights and Refugee Conventions if Australia turns its back on boats. Much has been said about compromise. What is not understood is that the compromise that the Gillard government, Robb Oakeshott, Tony Windsor and Andrew Wilkie wanted was to strip out of our migration laws any protection for human rights. That is not a compromise, that is a crime.

Senator rachel SieWert

The last parliamentary sitting period finished with the Government and Coalition uniting to pass Stronger Futures through the Senate.

The Intervention has been a major issue for the majority of my time as a Senator, and

to this day I remain immensely proud of the stance the Greens continue to take opposing this discriminatory legislation.

In the House and Senate alike we stood in opposition to the Stronger Futures bills, which expand regimes like income management and SEAM (the measure that stops income support altogether if your child isn’t attending school). We also worked to try and remove some of the most harmful elements of the legislation. We supported a move to create a review period after three years, which is a positive step, but unfortunately the Government and Coalition again chose not to support our move to reduce the length of the intervention from ten to five years.

People are now asking “Where to from here?” and so I want to make it clear that the Greens won’t forget about Stronger Futures and the NT. I want to reassure you that just because this Bill has now passed, we are still working on a number of fronts to affect change and hold the Government to account.

I will be moving in the next sitting of Parliament to disallow the regulations that implement part of this legislation such as the place based trials.

We are also continuing work to monitor implementation of this legislation.

What impact is it having? What is the community saying? How is money being spent? Who is being affected? Where is the evidence that income management works? These are questions that the Government is notoriously uncomfortable about answering.

Above all else, we will continue to develop and propose effective and considered policies and legislation that is designed to engage, include and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the NT and around Australia.

aUStralian greenS National Office GPO Box 1108 Canberra ACT 2601 Ph: 02 6140 3217 (in Canberra) 1800 017 011 greens@greens.org.au www.greens.org.au

Senator Scott Ludlam

In late May the Environmental Protection Agency defied its name by recommending approval for Western Australia’s first uranium mine at Wiluna. The proposal by Toro Energy is full of gaping holes. If the EPA is prepared to back this half-baked, messy scheme - it sets a dangerous low standard for uranium mining in Western Australia.

The Greens welcomed the release of the Federal Government’s draft legislation on homelessness in June and urged the Government to take immediate action to tackle the crisis. The Bill represents a more realistic understanding of homelessness, but a more detailed analysis is needed to identify potential improvements. We called for urgent action, including a commitment to at least doubling funding for homelessness services and accommodation in the new National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA).

We called for an urgent and comprehensive response to a law firm’s report indicating almost 900 people have made plausible allegations of abuse within the Australian Defence Force.

I argued that a top-level inquiry was needed to come to grips with the full extent of the culture of abuse and silence that has allegedly plagued the ADF for decades.

The Australian Greens expressed shock and disappointment at the news almost 2000 Fairfax workers faced the sack. We remain greatly concerned about what these changes mean for the future of quality journalism in Australia when combined with the creeping acquisition of Fairfax by Gina Rinehart. In Senate Question Time I asked whether the Australian Government would bring forward some of the proposed reforms in the convergence review and investigate ways to support media diversity and alternative platforms, and within days the Australian Greens announced a bill to introduce a public interest test for major media purchases.

In late June the Greens, City of Fremantle, Amnesty International, the Anglican Church and many others joined together to host the Refugee Welcome Fiesta. 2000 people attended the community event to celebrate the diversity of our cultures and the new lives of refugees in Australia.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young

The asylum seeker debate has dominated the political sphere for the past month and we have been working hard to communicate the Greens’ position on the issue.

There is a false argument being pushed that we have to choose between punitive offshore processing in either Malaysia or Nauru. The third option we are proposing is a combination of increased direct resettlement from Indonesia and Malaysia and the establishment of a New Regional Plan of Action, and onshore assessment for anyone who does come to Australia to ask for protection.

I recently travelled to Indonesia to witness firsthand the realities faced by desperate refugees. I met with asylum seekers and local refugee NGOs to discuss the issues and observe the harsh conditions for asylum seekers in Indonesia. I also met with the International Organization for Migration and the UNHCR who outlined the desperate need for further assistance in the region.

I launched a new campaign early this month calling on Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott to stop blocking marriage equality.

Share our new video to help us spread the word: http://sarah-hanson-young. greensmps.org.au/marriage.

We are still working hard on our River Murray campaign to ensure a healthy river system for the future. I was successful in moving a motion in the Senate ordering the government to produce documents on the legal advice of the Murray Darling Basin Authority’s plan to manage the river system.

I have recently been endorsed as the South Australian Greens lead Senate candidate for the next federal election. I would like to thank the South Australian Greens for the re-endorsement. It is an honour and a privilege to be given the opportunity and I am very grateful.

Lastly, I would like to pay tribute to Bob Brown and the amazing legacy he has left us. Bob Brown is my hero. His vision, empathy and common sense politics have been an inspiration for so many.

Bob Brown will be sorely missed by all, however, a new chapter for the Greens begins now and there is no one better to lead us than Senator Christine Milne bolstered by Adam Bandt in the lower house and the rest of our strong team.

Senator Lee Rhiannon

With the withdrawal of Australian troops from Afghanistan by 2014 set to drastically change the context in which Australian aid is provided, I secured a Senate inquiry into our aid program there. This will be an opportunity to ensure our aid contribution, set to rise to $250 million per year by 2015/16, makes a real difference to the lives of Afghan people.

2.5 billion people, or 37% of the world’s population, still live without access to basic sanitation. I worked with Labor and Liberal Senators to pass a joint motion calling on the government to increase aid funding for water and sanitation. I also secured cross-party support for a motion calling for AusAID to ramp up their focus on HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis treatment in Burma. There are 9,300 new cases of multi drug resistant tuberculosis in Burma each year, yet only around 300 people are currently receiving treatment.

As Australian Greens spokesperson on women I have been working with Labor MPs in parliament to celebrate women’s achievements and highlight ongoing challenges. With Labor Senator Claire Moore I gained Senate support for a motion that recognised the 110th anniversary of Australian women winning the right to vote. I also successfully progressed a motion calling for recognition of domestic violence in the government’s soon to be released draft bill consolidating discrimination laws. This would help prevent women experiencing discrimination in the workplace because of associated disability, illness or forced absenteeism.

Against a backdrop of new state legislation allowing recreational hunters to shoot feral animals in 79 NSW national parks and reserves, I joined with Greens Senator Penny Wright to condemn the move and call for strengthened national gun laws, including a ban on semiautomatic hand guns.

Green Bans leader Jack Mundey with Bob and Lee at the packed NSW ‘Thank You Bob’ event which Lee hosted. photo: glenn lockitch

Senator Richard Di Natale

Dental health remains a big focus of my work and it was excellent to see a commitment of $515 million for dental health in the federal Budget announcement in May. Over the past year I have made reforming the nation’s dental health system one of my top priorities as a Senator and it has been great to see that the whole party has made it one of its clear priorities. In our agreement to support the Labor Party in government, the Australian Greens made sure that dental health was a significant part of that agreement. Why did we do it? We did it because there is an enormous need in this country to reform our dental system. As a wealthy country, we have poor oral health relative to our wealth.

Cost is a huge barrier to people accessing treatment. There is not just an enormous health cost associated with this, but there is also an enormous social cost. We know that poor oral health is associated with greater rates of infection, malnutrition and so on.

The half-billion dollar commitment in this year’s federal Budget means that we are on the road to Denticare. We will begin to tackle enormous waiting lists in state-based public dental systems, boost the dental workforce (especially in regional Australia) and invest in oral health promotion. We will continue to pursue affordable and accessible dental health care for all Australians - more and bigger reforms are coming thanks to the Greens.

I also continue to work on trying to achieve real and meaningful gambling reform. So far, the campaign led by the casino clubs of NSW to safeguard their revenues has been successful in watering down the proposed legislation. But with the government’s bill still waiting to come before Parliament, we are pushing for amendments that will protect problem gamblers and those in disadvantaged communities, and limit the harm of these addictive machines.

Senator Larissa Waters

Before heading off to the United Nations Rio+20 conference in June, marking 20 years since the Rio Declaration on Sustainable Development, I commissioned an independent report (available here: bit.ly/NITYPM) that found Australia is failing all of the environmental commitments it signed up to 20 years ago. It found that Australia is an environmental laggard and is living way beyond its ecological means, despite being one of the countries most able to afford environmental protection.

In April, the Council of Australian Governments decided to make this situation worse by reducing the Federal role in protecting the environment.

From March 2013, the States will bear sole responsibility for most environmental decision-making. All the big environmental wins of recent history have been when the federal government stepped in to protect an area from development approved by state governments.

This is all about making sure nothing stands in the way of the mining industry and the billions of dollars in profit that will mostly flow off-shore. When UNESCO found in early June that the Great Barrier Reef is on track for World Heritage in Danger listing within eight months unless the Australian Government reverses its program of destruction, Campbell Newman responded by saying “we are in the coal business” and approving another mega coal mine that will mean more dredging, dumping and shipping on the Great Barrier Reef.

With all of Australia’s environmental health indicators trending in the wrong direction, it’s time to face facts that our national environmental laws are not working. They need replacing, not watering down. As a starting point, I have launched a set of principles for new laws that would actually protect our natural heritage.

Read the principles online http://bit. ly/Nnh5NG

Senator Penny Wright

There is an alarming lack of mental health services in rural areas and, as a result, people are missing out on crucial treatment. I’m currently touring rural Australia, consulting service providers and community members living in rural areas about mental health services in their community. So far I have visited Newcastle (NSW) and Albany and Geraldton (WA).

I write this having just spent a great day in Port Augusta with Senator Christine Milne. During our visit we launched the Greens’ Rural Mental Health Services Online Consultation webpage at Lifeline Country to Coast SA. My thanks go to John Mendel and Lifeline for their support for this initiative. This online consultation will work in tandem with my country touring, offering anyone living in a rural area the opportunity to have their say on policy which affects them.

Another significant issue is access to justice in our community. As a former community lawyer, I know firsthand the importance of ensuring that Community Legal Centres and our Legal Aid Commissions are properly funded and resourced.

In recognition of the 40th Anniversary of Community Legal Centres and the important role they play in our community, I moved a motion calling on the Government to conduct a comprehensive investigation into legal assistance services to identify and respond to unmet need and gaps in service delivery. The motion gained the support of the Senate, to the delight of many of our Community Legal Centre stakeholders. I will continue to work towards ensuring improved access to justice for vulnerable Australians.

On the final day of the last sitting period I moved a motion in the Senate that called on the Government to introduce legislation, as a matter of priority, to ensure our federal antidiscrimination laws are consistent with Australia’s international human rights obligations. This motion marks the first phase of our Equality Laws campaign, and we will be pushing for this to happen as soon as possible.

Adam Bandt DEPUTY LEADER

Protecting peoples’ rights at work is a core value for the Greens.

The Greens want to put people back at the centre of our workplace laws.

People should be able to submit our workplace laws to a pretty simple test - ‘Do these laws help me have a well-paid job, have a good personal and family life and protect my rights at work?’

Before Parliament rises for the year, we are set to debate government reforms to the country’s workplace laws.

If the government wants to change the Fair Work Act, it will need to negotiate either with the Greens or the Coalition.

I have released a set of principles (below), based on our policy that will underpin the Greens’ approach to any negotiations with the government on legislation.

To find out more, go to greensmps.org.au and search for ‘IR reform’.

10 Principles for industrial relations reform 1. Australia must shift to a new, clean economy based on low pollution, high skills and high wages. Critical to this is an industrial relations system with a strong safety net that facilitates effective collective bargaining and employee involvement in change.

2. The Fair Work Act needs to make work/life balance a priority. ‘Flexibility’ must become a two-way street. People need greater control over their working hours and arrangements.

3. The Act needs to place greater emphasis on tackling unemployment and job insecurity.

4.

Parties need better dispute settlement.

access

to

5. Fair Work Australia should have more tailored powers to deal with industrial action.

6. The government should complete the ‘unfinished business’ of repealing the WorkChoices restrictions on employees’ bargaining, not add further restrictions.

7.

Australian law international law.

should

comply

with

8.

Minimum standards should not be diminished and individual workplace arrangements should not override collective agreements or minimum standards.

9. Workplace laws and migration laws need to be better aligned.

10. The major barriers to productivity growth are education & skills, infrastructure and innovation, not industrial relations laws.

new south wales

FROM THE STATES & TERRITORIES australian capital territory

The ACT Greens are gearing up for the 2012 ACT Election. The election will be held on the 20th of October and provide a big test and opportunity for the party as we aim to build on our ground-breaking result in 2008. All four of our sitting MLAs have decided to re-contest this year and in March we announced six new candidates to join the team.

As part of our election preparations, the party recently undertook an extensive policy review process. This was a huge, membership-based policy review that has resulted in a completely new platform to take to the community for this year’s vote. Following on from this review, we have now begun releasing initiatives for the 2012 election. Over the past weeks, we have announced a $100,000 commitment to trial free wifi on Canberra’s public transport, a $2.4 million investment in the Kingston Arts Precinct and $30.5 million into improving the health of Canberra’s lakes and waterways. We will be making further announcements in the coming months, presenting the Canberra community with a complete package of policies and initiatives to take to the election.

Finally, the ACT Greens are in preparation mode for the upcoming federal election. We will be aiming to have an ACT Senate candidate preselected following the ACT election and we are in full preparation mode for the campaign.

We believe the ACT Senate will provide a key opportunity for the Greens next election, particularly given that knocking off a Liberal Senator in the ACT could be essential in stopping the Coalition in taking control of the upper chamber next year. We came very close to winning the Senate seat last election and believe that with a strong campaign we can take it this time.

simon copland ACT Convenor

ACT Greens GPO Box 2019 Canberra ACT 2601 Ph: 02 6140 3220 office@act.greens.org.au www.act.greens.org.au

The past few months have been intense in NSW politics and there’s no respite in sight. The Coalition government is continuing full-steam ahead with its anti-worker, anti-community and antienvironment agenda in NSW. A deal between the government and the Shooters Party in the Upper House has seen two poor outcomes; the privatisation of the state’s electricity generators and amateur recreational hunting in national parks.

Just before the winter break the government also rushed through changes to the NSW workers compensation scheme which will see many injured workers pushed below the poverty line. The one bright light was that our Greens MPs were able to secure crucial amendments to the legislation which will see firefighters and paramedics retain the same level of cover as the police they work alongside every day.

The government has also released a Planning Green Paper which delivers exactly what developers want. Rather than a full repeal of Labor’s much-maligned planning system and a return of decisionmaking to local communities, the O’Farrell government is doing the opposite.

The tireless campaigning of Greens NSW public representatives and grassroots campaigners will be tested on the litmus paper of a number of elections over the rest of this year and next. NSW Upper House MP Cate Faehrmann has been preselected as the lead Senate candidate for next year’s Federal Election.

Mehreen Faruqi and Chris Harris are the Greens NSW candidates for by-elections in Heffron and Sydney, respectively.

On September 8 we have local government elections. The Greens NSW have a strong tradition and track record in local government, with currently over 70 local councillors across NSW. We have a strong field of candidates across the state that will be looking to continue that strong Greens NSW tradition of community representation and grassroots campaigning.

James Ryan NSW Convenor

NSW Greens 19 Eve St Erskineville NSW 2043 Ph: 02 9045 6999 office@nsw.greens.org.au www.nsw.greens.org.au

Senator Scott Ludlam

In late May the Environmental Protection Agency defied its name by recommending approval for Western Australia’s first uranium mine at Wiluna. The proposal by Toro Energy is full of gaping holes. If the EPA is prepared to back this half-baked, messy scheme - it sets a dangerous low standard for uranium mining in Western Australia.

The Greens welcomed the release of the Federal Government’s draft legislation on homelessness in June and urged the Government to take immediate action to tackle the crisis. The Bill represents a more realistic understanding of homelessness, but a more detailed analysis is needed to identify potential improvements. We called for urgent action, including a commitment to at least doubling funding for homelessness services and accommodation in the new National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA).

We called for an urgent and comprehensive response to a law firm’s report indicating almost 900 people have made plausible allegations of abuse within the Australian Defence Force.

I argued that a top-level inquiry was needed to come to grips with the full extent of the culture of abuse and silence that has allegedly plagued the ADF for decades.

The Australian Greens expressed shock and disappointment at the news almost 2000 Fairfax workers faced the sack. We remain greatly concerned about what these changes mean for the future of quality journalism in Australia when combined with the creeping acquisition of Fairfax by Gina Rinehart. In Senate Question Time I asked whether the Australian Government would bring forward some of the proposed reforms in the convergence review and investigate ways to support media diversity and alternative platforms, and within days the Australian Greens announced a bill to introduce a public interest test for major media purchases.

In late June the Greens, City of Fremantle, Amnesty International, the Anglican Church and many others joined together to host the Refugee Welcome Fiesta. 2000 people attended the community event to celebrate the diversity of our cultures and the new lives of refugees in Australia.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young

The asylum seeker debate has dominated the political sphere for the past month and we have been working hard to communicate the Greens’ position on the issue.

There is a false argument being pushed that we have to choose between punitive offshore processing in either Malaysia or Nauru. The third option we are proposing is a combination of increased direct resettlement from Indonesia and Malaysia and the establishment of a New Regional Plan of Action, and onshore assessment for anyone who does come to Australia to ask for protection.

I recently travelled to Indonesia to witness firsthand the realities faced by desperate refugees. I met with asylum seekers and local refugee NGOs to discuss the issues and observe the harsh conditions for asylum seekers in Indonesia. I also met with the International Organization for Migration and the UNHCR who outlined the desperate need for further assistance in the region.

I launched a new campaign early this month calling on Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott to stop blocking marriage equality.

Share our new video to help us spread the word: http://sarah-hanson-young. greensmps.org.au/marriage.

We are still working hard on our River Murray campaign to ensure a healthy river system for the future. I was successful in moving a motion in the Senate ordering the government to produce documents on the legal advice of the Murray Darling Basin Authority’s plan to manage the river system.

I have recently been endorsed as the South Australian Greens lead Senate candidate for the next federal election. I would like to thank the South Australian Greens for the re-endorsement. It is an honour and a privilege to be given the opportunity and I am very grateful.

Lastly, I would like to pay tribute to Bob Brown and the amazing legacy he has left us. Bob Brown is my hero. His vision, empathy and common sense politics have been an inspiration for so many.

Bob Brown will be sorely missed by all, however, a new chapter for the Greens begins now and there is no one better to lead us than Senator Christine Milne bolstered by Adam Bandt in the lower house and the rest of our strong team.

Senator Lee Rhiannon

With the withdrawal of Australian troops from Afghanistan by 2014 set to drastically change the context in which Australian aid is provided, I secured a Senate inquiry into our aid program there. This will be an opportunity to ensure our aid contribution, set to rise to $250 million per year by 2015/16, makes a real difference to the lives of Afghan people.

2.5 billion people, or 37% of the world’s population, still live without access to basic sanitation. I worked with Labor and Liberal Senators to pass a joint motion calling on the government to increase aid funding for water and sanitation. I also secured cross-party support for a motion calling for AusAID to ramp up their focus on HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis treatment in Burma. There are 9,300 new cases of multi drug resistant tuberculosis in Burma each year, yet only around 300 people are currently receiving treatment.

As Australian Greens spokesperson on women I have been working with Labor MPs in parliament to celebrate women’s achievements and highlight ongoing challenges. With Labor Senator Claire Moore I gained Senate support for a motion that recognised the 110th anniversary of Australian women winning the right to vote. I also successfully progressed a motion calling for recognition of domestic violence in the government’s soon to be released draft bill consolidating discrimination laws. This would help prevent women experiencing discrimination in the workplace because of associated disability, illness or forced absenteeism.

Against a backdrop of new state legislation allowing recreational hunters to shoot feral animals in 79 NSW national parks and reserves, I joined with Greens Senator Penny Wright to condemn the move and call for strengthened national gun laws, including a ban on semiautomatic hand guns.

Green Bans leader Jack Mundey with Bob and Lee at the packed NSW ‘Thank You Bob’ event which Lee hosted. photo: glenn lockitch

Senator Richard Di Natale

Dental health remains a big focus of my work and it was excellent to see a commitment of $515 million for dental health in the federal Budget announcement in May. Over the past year I have made reforming the nation’s dental health system one of my top priorities as a Senator and it has been great to see that the whole party has made it one of its clear priorities. In our agreement to support the Labor Party in government, the Australian Greens made sure that dental health was a significant part of that agreement. Why did we do it? We did it because there is an enormous need in this country to reform our dental system. As a wealthy country, we have poor oral health relative to our wealth.

Cost is a huge barrier to people accessing treatment. There is not just an enormous health cost associated with this, but there is also an enormous social cost. We know that poor oral health is associated with greater rates of infection, malnutrition and so on.

The half-billion dollar commitment in this year’s federal Budget means that we are on the road to Denticare. We will begin to tackle enormous waiting lists in state-based public dental systems, boost the dental workforce (especially in regional Australia) and invest in oral health promotion. We will continue to pursue affordable and accessible dental health care for all Australians - more and bigger reforms are coming thanks to the Greens.

I also continue to work on trying to achieve real and meaningful gambling reform. So far, the campaign led by the casino clubs of NSW to safeguard their revenues has been successful in watering down the proposed legislation. But with the government’s bill still waiting to come before Parliament, we are pushing for amendments that will protect problem gamblers and those in disadvantaged communities, and limit the harm of these addictive machines.

Senator Larissa Waters

Before heading off to the United Nations Rio+20 conference in June, marking 20 years since the Rio Declaration on Sustainable Development, I commissioned an independent report (available here: bit.ly/NITYPM) that found Australia is failing all of the environmental commitments it signed up to 20 years ago. It found that Australia is an environmental laggard and is living way beyond its ecological means, despite being one of the countries most able to afford environmental protection.

In April, the Council of Australian Governments decided to make this situation worse by reducing the Federal role in protecting the environment.

From March 2013, the States will bear sole responsibility for most environmental decision-making. All the big environmental wins of recent history have been when the federal government stepped in to protect an area from development approved by state governments.

This is all about making sure nothing stands in the way of the mining industry and the billions of dollars in profit that will mostly flow off-shore. When UNESCO found in early June that the Great Barrier Reef is on track for World Heritage in Danger listing within eight months unless the Australian Government reverses its program of destruction, Campbell Newman responded by saying “we are in the coal business” and approving another mega coal mine that will mean more dredging, dumping and shipping on the Great Barrier Reef.

With all of Australia’s environmental health indicators trending in the wrong direction, it’s time to face facts that our national environmental laws are not working. They need replacing, not watering down. As a starting point, I have launched a set of principles for new laws that would actually protect our natural heritage.

Read the principles online http://bit. ly/Nnh5NG

Senator Penny Wright

There is an alarming lack of mental health services in rural areas and, as a result, people are missing out on crucial treatment. I’m currently touring rural Australia, consulting service providers and community members living in rural areas about mental health services in their community. So far I have visited Newcastle (NSW) and Albany and Geraldton (WA).

I write this having just spent a great day in Port Augusta with Senator Christine Milne. During our visit we launched the Greens’ Rural Mental Health Services Online Consultation webpage at Lifeline Country to Coast SA. My thanks go to John Mendel and Lifeline for their support for this initiative. This online consultation will work in tandem with my country touring, offering anyone living in a rural area the opportunity to have their say on policy which affects them.

Another significant issue is access to justice in our community. As a former community lawyer, I know firsthand the importance of ensuring that Community Legal Centres and our Legal Aid Commissions are properly funded and resourced.

In recognition of the 40th Anniversary of Community Legal Centres and the important role they play in our community, I moved a motion calling on the Government to conduct a comprehensive investigation into legal assistance services to identify and respond to unmet need and gaps in service delivery. The motion gained the support of the Senate, to the delight of many of our Community Legal Centre stakeholders. I will continue to work towards ensuring improved access to justice for vulnerable Australians.

On the final day of the last sitting period I moved a motion in the Senate that called on the Government to introduce legislation, as a matter of priority, to ensure our federal antidiscrimination laws are consistent with Australia’s international human rights obligations. This motion marks the first phase of our Equality Laws campaign, and we will be pushing for this to happen as soon as possible.

Adam Bandt DEPUTY LEADER

Protecting peoples’ rights at work is a core value for the Greens.

The Greens want to put people back at the centre of our workplace laws.

People should be able to submit our workplace laws to a pretty simple test - ‘Do these laws help me have a well-paid job, have a good personal and family life and protect my rights at work?’

Before Parliament rises for the year, we are set to debate government reforms to the country’s workplace laws.

If the government wants to change the Fair Work Act, it will need to negotiate either with the Greens or the Coalition.

I have released a set of principles (below), based on our policy that will underpin the Greens’ approach to any negotiations with the government on legislation.

To find out more, go to greensmps.org.au and search for ‘IR reform’.

10 Principles for industrial relations reform 1. Australia must shift to a new, clean economy based on low pollution, high skills and high wages. Critical to this is an industrial relations system with a strong safety net that facilitates effective collective bargaining and employee involvement in change.

2. The Fair Work Act needs to make work/life balance a priority. ‘Flexibility’ must become a two-way street. People need greater control over their working hours and arrangements.

3. The Act needs to place greater emphasis on tackling unemployment and job insecurity.

4.

Parties need better dispute settlement.

access

to

5. Fair Work Australia should have more tailored powers to deal with industrial action.

6. The government should complete the ‘unfinished business’ of repealing the WorkChoices restrictions on employees’ bargaining, not add further restrictions.

7.

Australian law international law.

should

comply

with

8.

Minimum standards should not be diminished and individual workplace arrangements should not override collective agreements or minimum standards.

9. Workplace laws and migration laws need to be better aligned.

10. The major barriers to productivity growth are education & skills, infrastructure and innovation, not industrial relations laws.

new south wales

FROM THE STATES & TERRITORIES australian capital territory

The ACT Greens are gearing up for the 2012 ACT Election. The election will be held on the 20th of October and provide a big test and opportunity for the party as we aim to build on our ground-breaking result in 2008. All four of our sitting MLAs have decided to re-contest this year and in March we announced six new candidates to join the team.

As part of our election preparations, the party recently undertook an extensive policy review process. This was a huge, membership-based policy review that has resulted in a completely new platform to take to the community for this year’s vote. Following on from this review, we have now begun releasing initiatives for the 2012 election. Over the past weeks, we have announced a $100,000 commitment to trial free wifi on Canberra’s public transport, a $2.4 million investment in the Kingston Arts Precinct and $30.5 million into improving the health of Canberra’s lakes and waterways. We will be making further announcements in the coming months, presenting the Canberra community with a complete package of policies and initiatives to take to the election.

Finally, the ACT Greens are in preparation mode for the upcoming federal election. We will be aiming to have an ACT Senate candidate preselected following the ACT election and we are in full preparation mode for the campaign.

We believe the ACT Senate will provide a key opportunity for the Greens next election, particularly given that knocking off a Liberal Senator in the ACT could be essential in stopping the Coalition in taking control of the upper chamber next year. We came very close to winning the Senate seat last election and believe that with a strong campaign we can take it this time.

simon copland ACT Convenor

ACT Greens GPO Box 2019 Canberra ACT 2601 Ph: 02 6140 3220 office@act.greens.org.au www.act.greens.org.au

The past few months have been intense in NSW politics and there’s no respite in sight. The Coalition government is continuing full-steam ahead with its anti-worker, anti-community and antienvironment agenda in NSW. A deal between the government and the Shooters Party in the Upper House has seen two poor outcomes; the privatisation of the state’s electricity generators and amateur recreational hunting in national parks.

Just before the winter break the government also rushed through changes to the NSW workers compensation scheme which will see many injured workers pushed below the poverty line. The one bright light was that our Greens MPs were able to secure crucial amendments to the legislation which will see firefighters and paramedics retain the same level of cover as the police they work alongside every day.

The government has also released a Planning Green Paper which delivers exactly what developers want. Rather than a full repeal of Labor’s much-maligned planning system and a return of decisionmaking to local communities, the O’Farrell government is doing the opposite.

The tireless campaigning of Greens NSW public representatives and grassroots campaigners will be tested on the litmus paper of a number of elections over the rest of this year and next. NSW Upper House MP Cate Faehrmann has been preselected as the lead Senate candidate for next year’s Federal Election.

Mehreen Faruqi and Chris Harris are the Greens NSW candidates for by-elections in Heffron and Sydney, respectively.

On September 8 we have local government elections. The Greens NSW have a strong tradition and track record in local government, with currently over 70 local councillors across NSW. We have a strong field of candidates across the state that will be looking to continue that strong Greens NSW tradition of community representation and grassroots campaigning.

James Ryan NSW Convenor

NSW Greens 19 Eve St Erskineville NSW 2043 Ph: 02 9045 6999 office@nsw.greens.org.au www.nsw.greens.org.au

Senator Scott Ludlam

In late May the Environmental Protection Agency defied its name by recommending approval for Western Australia’s first uranium mine at Wiluna. The proposal by Toro Energy is full of gaping holes. If the EPA is prepared to back this half-baked, messy scheme - it sets a dangerous low standard for uranium mining in Western Australia.

The Greens welcomed the release of the Federal Government’s draft legislation on homelessness in June and urged the Government to take immediate action to tackle the crisis. The Bill represents a more realistic understanding of homelessness, but a more detailed analysis is needed to identify potential improvements. We called for urgent action, including a commitment to at least doubling funding for homelessness services and accommodation in the new National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA).

We called for an urgent and comprehensive response to a law firm’s report indicating almost 900 people have made plausible allegations of abuse within the Australian Defence Force.

I argued that a top-level inquiry was needed to come to grips with the full extent of the culture of abuse and silence that has allegedly plagued the ADF for decades.

The Australian Greens expressed shock and disappointment at the news almost 2000 Fairfax workers faced the sack. We remain greatly concerned about what these changes mean for the future of quality journalism in Australia when combined with the creeping acquisition of Fairfax by Gina Rinehart. In Senate Question Time I asked whether the Australian Government would bring forward some of the proposed reforms in the convergence review and investigate ways to support media diversity and alternative platforms, and within days the Australian Greens announced a bill to introduce a public interest test for major media purchases.

In late June the Greens, City of Fremantle, Amnesty International, the Anglican Church and many others joined together to host the Refugee Welcome Fiesta. 2000 people attended the community event to celebrate the diversity of our cultures and the new lives of refugees in Australia.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young

The asylum seeker debate has dominated the political sphere for the past month and we have been working hard to communicate the Greens’ position on the issue.

There is a false argument being pushed that we have to choose between punitive offshore processing in either Malaysia or Nauru. The third option we are proposing is a combination of increased direct resettlement from Indonesia and Malaysia and the establishment of a New Regional Plan of Action, and onshore assessment for anyone who does come to Australia to ask for protection.

I recently travelled to Indonesia to witness firsthand the realities faced by desperate refugees. I met with asylum seekers and local refugee NGOs to discuss the issues and observe the harsh conditions for asylum seekers in Indonesia. I also met with the International Organization for Migration and the UNHCR who outlined the desperate need for further assistance in the region.

I launched a new campaign early this month calling on Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott to stop blocking marriage equality.

Share our new video to help us spread the word: http://sarah-hanson-young. greensmps.org.au/marriage.

We are still working hard on our River Murray campaign to ensure a healthy river system for the future. I was successful in moving a motion in the Senate ordering the government to produce documents on the legal advice of the Murray Darling Basin Authority’s plan to manage the river system.

I have recently been endorsed as the South Australian Greens lead Senate candidate for the next federal election. I would like to thank the South Australian Greens for the re-endorsement. It is an honour and a privilege to be given the opportunity and I am very grateful.

Lastly, I would like to pay tribute to Bob Brown and the amazing legacy he has left us. Bob Brown is my hero. His vision, empathy and common sense politics have been an inspiration for so many.

Bob Brown will be sorely missed by all, however, a new chapter for the Greens begins now and there is no one better to lead us than Senator Christine Milne bolstered by Adam Bandt in the lower house and the rest of our strong team.

Senator Lee Rhiannon

With the withdrawal of Australian troops from Afghanistan by 2014 set to drastically change the context in which Australian aid is provided, I secured a Senate inquiry into our aid program there. This will be an opportunity to ensure our aid contribution, set to rise to $250 million per year by 2015/16, makes a real difference to the lives of Afghan people.

2.5 billion people, or 37% of the world’s population, still live without access to basic sanitation. I worked with Labor and Liberal Senators to pass a joint motion calling on the government to increase aid funding for water and sanitation. I also secured cross-party support for a motion calling for AusAID to ramp up their focus on HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis treatment in Burma. There are 9,300 new cases of multi drug resistant tuberculosis in Burma each year, yet only around 300 people are currently receiving treatment.

As Australian Greens spokesperson on women I have been working with Labor MPs in parliament to celebrate women’s achievements and highlight ongoing challenges. With Labor Senator Claire Moore I gained Senate support for a motion that recognised the 110th anniversary of Australian women winning the right to vote. I also successfully progressed a motion calling for recognition of domestic violence in the government’s soon to be released draft bill consolidating discrimination laws. This would help prevent women experiencing discrimination in the workplace because of associated disability, illness or forced absenteeism.

Against a backdrop of new state legislation allowing recreational hunters to shoot feral animals in 79 NSW national parks and reserves, I joined with Greens Senator Penny Wright to condemn the move and call for strengthened national gun laws, including a ban on semiautomatic hand guns.

Green Bans leader Jack Mundey with Bob and Lee at the packed NSW ‘Thank You Bob’ event which Lee hosted. photo: glenn lockitch

Senator Richard Di Natale

Dental health remains a big focus of my work and it was excellent to see a commitment of $515 million for dental health in the federal Budget announcement in May. Over the past year I have made reforming the nation’s dental health system one of my top priorities as a Senator and it has been great to see that the whole party has made it one of its clear priorities. In our agreement to support the Labor Party in government, the Australian Greens made sure that dental health was a significant part of that agreement. Why did we do it? We did it because there is an enormous need in this country to reform our dental system. As a wealthy country, we have poor oral health relative to our wealth.

Cost is a huge barrier to people accessing treatment. There is not just an enormous health cost associated with this, but there is also an enormous social cost. We know that poor oral health is associated with greater rates of infection, malnutrition and so on.

The half-billion dollar commitment in this year’s federal Budget means that we are on the road to Denticare. We will begin to tackle enormous waiting lists in state-based public dental systems, boost the dental workforce (especially in regional Australia) and invest in oral health promotion. We will continue to pursue affordable and accessible dental health care for all Australians - more and bigger reforms are coming thanks to the Greens.

I also continue to work on trying to achieve real and meaningful gambling reform. So far, the campaign led by the casino clubs of NSW to safeguard their revenues has been successful in watering down the proposed legislation. But with the government’s bill still waiting to come before Parliament, we are pushing for amendments that will protect problem gamblers and those in disadvantaged communities, and limit the harm of these addictive machines.

Senator Larissa Waters

Before heading off to the United Nations Rio+20 conference in June, marking 20 years since the Rio Declaration on Sustainable Development, I commissioned an independent report (available here: bit.ly/NITYPM) that found Australia is failing all of the environmental commitments it signed up to 20 years ago. It found that Australia is an environmental laggard and is living way beyond its ecological means, despite being one of the countries most able to afford environmental protection.

In April, the Council of Australian Governments decided to make this situation worse by reducing the Federal role in protecting the environment.

From March 2013, the States will bear sole responsibility for most environmental decision-making. All the big environmental wins of recent history have been when the federal government stepped in to protect an area from development approved by state governments.

This is all about making sure nothing stands in the way of the mining industry and the billions of dollars in profit that will mostly flow off-shore. When UNESCO found in early June that the Great Barrier Reef is on track for World Heritage in Danger listing within eight months unless the Australian Government reverses its program of destruction, Campbell Newman responded by saying “we are in the coal business” and approving another mega coal mine that will mean more dredging, dumping and shipping on the Great Barrier Reef.

With all of Australia’s environmental health indicators trending in the wrong direction, it’s time to face facts that our national environmental laws are not working. They need replacing, not watering down. As a starting point, I have launched a set of principles for new laws that would actually protect our natural heritage.

Read the principles online http://bit. ly/Nnh5NG

Senator Penny Wright

There is an alarming lack of mental health services in rural areas and, as a result, people are missing out on crucial treatment. I’m currently touring rural Australia, consulting service providers and community members living in rural areas about mental health services in their community. So far I have visited Newcastle (NSW) and Albany and Geraldton (WA).

I write this having just spent a great day in Port Augusta with Senator Christine Milne. During our visit we launched the Greens’ Rural Mental Health Services Online Consultation webpage at Lifeline Country to Coast SA. My thanks go to John Mendel and Lifeline for their support for this initiative. This online consultation will work in tandem with my country touring, offering anyone living in a rural area the opportunity to have their say on policy which affects them.

Another significant issue is access to justice in our community. As a former community lawyer, I know firsthand the importance of ensuring that Community Legal Centres and our Legal Aid Commissions are properly funded and resourced.

In recognition of the 40th Anniversary of Community Legal Centres and the important role they play in our community, I moved a motion calling on the Government to conduct a comprehensive investigation into legal assistance services to identify and respond to unmet need and gaps in service delivery. The motion gained the support of the Senate, to the delight of many of our Community Legal Centre stakeholders. I will continue to work towards ensuring improved access to justice for vulnerable Australians.

On the final day of the last sitting period I moved a motion in the Senate that called on the Government to introduce legislation, as a matter of priority, to ensure our federal antidiscrimination laws are consistent with Australia’s international human rights obligations. This motion marks the first phase of our Equality Laws campaign, and we will be pushing for this to happen as soon as possible.

Adam Bandt DEPUTY LEADER

Protecting peoples’ rights at work is a core value for the Greens.

The Greens want to put people back at the centre of our workplace laws.

People should be able to submit our workplace laws to a pretty simple test - ‘Do these laws help me have a well-paid job, have a good personal and family life and protect my rights at work?’

Before Parliament rises for the year, we are set to debate government reforms to the country’s workplace laws.

If the government wants to change the Fair Work Act, it will need to negotiate either with the Greens or the Coalition.

I have released a set of principles (below), based on our policy that will underpin the Greens’ approach to any negotiations with the government on legislation.

To find out more, go to greensmps.org.au and search for ‘IR reform’.

10 Principles for industrial relations reform 1. Australia must shift to a new, clean economy based on low pollution, high skills and high wages. Critical to this is an industrial relations system with a strong safety net that facilitates effective collective bargaining and employee involvement in change.

2. The Fair Work Act needs to make work/life balance a priority. ‘Flexibility’ must become a two-way street. People need greater control over their working hours and arrangements.

3. The Act needs to place greater emphasis on tackling unemployment and job insecurity.

4.

Parties need better dispute settlement.

access

to

5. Fair Work Australia should have more tailored powers to deal with industrial action.

6. The government should complete the ‘unfinished business’ of repealing the WorkChoices restrictions on employees’ bargaining, not add further restrictions.

7.

Australian law international law.

should

comply

with

8.

Minimum standards should not be diminished and individual workplace arrangements should not override collective agreements or minimum standards.

9. Workplace laws and migration laws need to be better aligned.

10. The major barriers to productivity growth are education & skills, infrastructure and innovation, not industrial relations laws.

new south wales

FROM THE STATES & TERRITORIES australian capital territory

The ACT Greens are gearing up for the 2012 ACT Election. The election will be held on the 20th of October and provide a big test and opportunity for the party as we aim to build on our ground-breaking result in 2008. All four of our sitting MLAs have decided to re-contest this year and in March we announced six new candidates to join the team.

As part of our election preparations, the party recently undertook an extensive policy review process. This was a huge, membership-based policy review that has resulted in a completely new platform to take to the community for this year’s vote. Following on from this review, we have now begun releasing initiatives for the 2012 election. Over the past weeks, we have announced a $100,000 commitment to trial free wifi on Canberra’s public transport, a $2.4 million investment in the Kingston Arts Precinct and $30.5 million into improving the health of Canberra’s lakes and waterways. We will be making further announcements in the coming months, presenting the Canberra community with a complete package of policies and initiatives to take to the election.

Finally, the ACT Greens are in preparation mode for the upcoming federal election. We will be aiming to have an ACT Senate candidate preselected following the ACT election and we are in full preparation mode for the campaign.

We believe the ACT Senate will provide a key opportunity for the Greens next election, particularly given that knocking off a Liberal Senator in the ACT could be essential in stopping the Coalition in taking control of the upper chamber next year. We came very close to winning the Senate seat last election and believe that with a strong campaign we can take it this time.

simon copland ACT Convenor

ACT Greens GPO Box 2019 Canberra ACT 2601 Ph: 02 6140 3220 office@act.greens.org.au www.act.greens.org.au

The past few months have been intense in NSW politics and there’s no respite in sight. The Coalition government is continuing full-steam ahead with its anti-worker, anti-community and antienvironment agenda in NSW. A deal between the government and the Shooters Party in the Upper House has seen two poor outcomes; the privatisation of the state’s electricity generators and amateur recreational hunting in national parks.

Just before the winter break the government also rushed through changes to the NSW workers compensation scheme which will see many injured workers pushed below the poverty line. The one bright light was that our Greens MPs were able to secure crucial amendments to the legislation which will see firefighters and paramedics retain the same level of cover as the police they work alongside every day.

The government has also released a Planning Green Paper which delivers exactly what developers want. Rather than a full repeal of Labor’s much-maligned planning system and a return of decisionmaking to local communities, the O’Farrell government is doing the opposite.

The tireless campaigning of Greens NSW public representatives and grassroots campaigners will be tested on the litmus paper of a number of elections over the rest of this year and next. NSW Upper House MP Cate Faehrmann has been preselected as the lead Senate candidate for next year’s Federal Election.

Mehreen Faruqi and Chris Harris are the Greens NSW candidates for by-elections in Heffron and Sydney, respectively.

On September 8 we have local government elections. The Greens NSW have a strong tradition and track record in local government, with currently over 70 local councillors across NSW. We have a strong field of candidates across the state that will be looking to continue that strong Greens NSW tradition of community representation and grassroots campaigning.

James Ryan NSW Convenor

NSW Greens 19 Eve St Erskineville NSW 2043 Ph: 02 9045 6999 office@nsw.greens.org.au www.nsw.greens.org.au

northern territory

Following our very successful local council election campaign in March where two Greens were elected to the City of Darwin Council and one to the Alice Springs Town Council, we’ve moved straight into planning our NT state election campaign.

As I write this report, the NT Greens are in the thick of the election, and by the time you read this the results should be known. We’ve announced six of our candidates and hope to have many more before nominations close. The seat of Nightcliff which is the Greenest suburb in the NT (24% at the last election) will give us our best chance. Issues we’ll be running on during the campaign will include; indigenous health, education and bi-lingual learning, public transport, planning and the transport and storage of nuclear waste in the NT to name just a few.

Thank you to all those who have helped with the campaign, especially the candidates and big thanks to our campaign manager Bharath Ragothaman who came up to Darwin from Sydney in January this year to work on both our council and NT Election campaigns. Your hard work and patience has certainly been appreciated.

Final results will be available at www. ntec.nt.gov.au We’ve recently held a Special General Meeting to adopt NT specific policy; this is a significant first for us. In the past we’ve relied on Australian Greens policy and now we have our own set of more nuanced NT policies – a big thanks to the team who’ve worked so hard on this.

In the lead up to the federal election next year, we must maintain our momentum and we will continue to meet regularly. With Greens on both Darwin and Alice Springs Councils there is a lot you can do to support your local representatives; preparing for council meetings, providing feedback and researching, organizing regular market stalls etc. We also have two vacancies on the Management Committee so if you have a spare hour or two a week get in touch – we need you!

QUeenSland

Things continue to be hectic in Queensland. We had the state election at the end of March, with a slight decrease in our overall vote but some good gains in many seats, including the Sunshine Coast region. A month later we had the Brisbane City Council elections – by far the largest local government authority in Australia – where our overall Mayoral vote went up by 2 per cent, as well as a byelection for former Premier Anna Bligh’s seat of South Brisbane. Despite a much larger number of candidates contesting the seat, our primary vote increased on that from the general election the previous month, achieving close to 20 per cent of the primary vote.

Since then, the newly elected Liberal National Party government has embarked on a frenzy of cost-cutting, as well as rapidly cutting thousands of public service jobs (in some cases blatantly breaching pre-election commitments) with indications that many more will be cut, funding of a range of services provided by community organisations is also being stopped. It is no surprise that the organisations being targeted are ones the LNP would see as philosophical enemies – groups such as the Environmental Defenders Office, Sisters Inside (which helps women prisoners), Healthy Communities (the former AIDS Council), an advice service for tenants, just to name a few.

With the state and local council elections now out of the way, the Qld Greens are moving quickly to getting candidates pre-selected for the next federal election. Our Senate pre-selection is now underway, with 3 very capable contenders having nominated, and many branches are in the process of finalising candidates for House of Reps seats.

andReW BaRTleTT Qld ConvenoR

SoUth aUStralia

South Australia has a very proud tradition of social innovation and progressive law reform. We were one of the first places in the world to allow women to vote; the first place in the world to ban rape in marriage; the first territory in the British Empire (outside Britain) to legally recognise trade unions, and we have been Australian leaders in drug law reform and the decriminalisation of homosexuality.

But there is one reform in particular that made it entirely appropriate for South Australia to host the first National Greens meeting following Christine Milne’s elevation to the party’s leadership: South Australia was the first place in the world to allow women to stand for Parliament.

We were delighted to host our Green friends from around the country at the July National Council and Policy Conference. The weather was kind, the mood congenial, and very good policy progress was made. A packed program of campaigning and candidate workshops proved popular. Huge thanks to Gabie Bond, Sandy Montgomery and the rest of the wonderful team of hard working volunteers who helped make the meeting such a success.

We have completed pre-selections for the Senate with a ringing re-endorsement of Sarah Hanson-Young as our lead candidate, with Nikki Mortier at No. 2.

The pre-selection process for lower house candidates will also begin shortly. We intend to fiercely protect the Senate seat (and with it, the balance of power) that Sarah has held since 2007. Preparations are also well advanced for our next state election in March 2014 where our aim is to pick up a third Upper House seat (and potentially the balance of power there as well).

Alongside election preparation, we are focussing on reforming our Constitution, which hasn’t been touched since the party was formed in 1995. Together with increasing the professionalism of our financial and administrative processes, the reform of our Constitution should see us in a strong position to reap success from the next election cycle.

taSmania

It has been a very exciting and challenging time for us here in Tasmania.

The resignation of Bob led to the most comprehensive and rewarding search for a replacement for the Senate vacancy.

We were delighted by the range of talented people who contested, and with our final decision of Peter Whish-Wilson.

We believe he will be an enormous asset for the party. Whilst on selections, we also had a great field when we advertised for a Campaign Director to drive our upcoming raft of elections and Philip Cocker has joined us; bringing with him a wealth of experience. We wish him well in his new role.

Selections for our Senate team and House of Representative candidates are well advanced and have been completed for the seats of Denison and Franklin. And as I write this our Denison Candidate, Anna Reynolds, has just been launched.

We are now the proud owners of a new web site which offers more ease of access to information. We are changing our communications mode with members and will shortly be using an e-Bulletin format to replace the paperbased magazine.

A real positive this year has been the emergence of an enthusiastic committed Young Greens community who are organising an Australian Young Greens conference in August (www.australianyounggreens.weebly. com) and the agenda is something to behold. They are currently running a national marriage equality T-shirt competition and are actively campaigning on the Denticare issue. We are also very proud to have supported Robyn Lewis, a wonderful young person who organised herself to go to Dakar for the Global Greens conference and now finds herself on the Global Youth secretariat for Global Greens. Truly inspiring!

Victoria

At the time of writing it appears Cathy Oke has achieved the greatest ever primary vote in a lower house seat in Victoria at the recent Melbourne byelection. The Greens recorded a primary vote of almost 37% achieving a 4% lead over the ALP. While it is disappointing that the Greens missed out on the seat by the slimmest of margins there is no doubt that it is still a result we can all be proud of.

The by-election saw the Australian Greens Victoria (AGV) organize, unite and take a step forward like never before. In fact, our rivals were publically commenting on how huge, active and organized our campaign was. Almost 1000 eager volunteers travelled from all over Victoria and Australia; keen to take the Greens’ progressive vision direct to the community by doorknocking the entire electorate.

The AGV is now straight back into campaign mode as it turns its full attention to the local government elections which will be held in October.

On the back of the results of the Melbourne by-election, the AGV plans to both double its representation on local government as well as gain the position of Lord Mayor of Melbourne.

The AGV will be holding its annual general meeting on Saturday 1 September 2012. It is the first state conference since the adoption of the new Constitution. All AGV members are greatly encouraged to attend.

liam FaRRelly aGv ConvenoR

CaTHeRine BRoWn Tas ConvenoR

CRaiG WilKins sa sTaTe ConvenoR

simon niBloCK nT ConvenoR

WeStern aUStralia

Carbon pricing had at least one unintended impact. Upper house MLC Alison Xamon spotted local energy company Synergy trying to pass on the price of carbon to its “Green power” customers, a baffling way to tax greenhouse gases.

Unconventional gas exploration is also contentious. Giz Watson MLC sought amendments and legislation that would have supported many farmers who are anxious about fracking exploration.

The Greens (WA) also attempted to disallow royalties of the Toro uranium mine with Robin Chapple MLC pointing out the environmental and social costs of the Wiluna enterprise are not being properly factored into the royalty price.

In the Kimberley the proposed gas hub at James Price Point has mobilised many people. Dinosaur prints, songlines and whale routes are just a few reasons Robin and Senator Rachel Siewert have been championing the Kimberley cause; supported by Bob Brown’s recent visit and many new Green activists on the ground.

Alison Xamon’s Hills Bill and Lynn MacLaren MLC’s Climate Change Readiness (Coastal Planning) Bill show the vision that is necessary to protect the environment and prepare for climate change. Lynn, together with Senator Scott Ludlam also presented a joint submission on the West Australian Bicycle Network Plan, supported by Scott’s remarkable bike black spot app for the iPhone.

Concerns for digital safety, militarisation of the net, and Julian Assange have prompted Senator Scott Ludlam to alert us to the National Security Review. Senator Rachel Siewert chaired the Forced Adoption Inquiry, campaigned for Constitutional Recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, opposed the NT intervention extension, and highlighted that Newstart is not enough for someone to live on!

A myth-busting public meeting with Cameron Poustie, who is standing for North Metro, was a great event and our growing membership supported World Refugee Day in June with a 1000 strong march.

As we approach the 9 March 2013 state election we know it will be a challenge but are committed to offering an alternative vision for our state.

adRian GlamoRGan paRTy developmenT manaGeR nt greenS PO Box 421 Nightcliff NT 0814 Ph: 0402 617 416 convenor@nt.greens.org.au www.nt.greens.org.au

QUeenSland greenS PO Box 661, Albion BC, 4010 Ph: 07 3173 1127 office@qld.greens.org.au www.qld.greens.org.au

SoUth aUStralian greenS 239 Wright Street Adelaide SA 5000 Ph: 08 8212 4888 saoffice@sa.greens.org.au www.sa.greens.org.au

taSmanian greenS GPO Box 1132 Hobart TAS 7001 Ph: 03 6236 9334 party@tas.greens.org.au www.tas.greens.org.au

Victorian greenS GPO Box 4589 Melbourne VIC 3001 Ph: 03 9602 1141 office@vic.greens.org.au www.vic.greens.org.au

Wa greenS PO Box Y3022 Perth WA 6832 Ph: 08 9221 8333 office@wa.greens.org.au www.wa.greens.org.au

green PARTY NEWS The latest news from our federal MPs and state convenors

AUGUST 2012

oUr Federal mPS Senator chriStine milne

It’s been a busy first few months as Greens leader as we forge through the initiatives that will see our party continue to build and grow.

I’ve been touring regional Australia to reconnect with the people across the countryside and hear so many of the challenges that confront country people.

In Orange I’ve been talking with farmers about the supermarket duopoly that has been cutting farm gate prices and the carbon farming projects that can bring good income to land holders while protecting our fragile ecosystems and mitigating climate change. I’ve been visiting renewable energy campaigners in Port Augusta who are working for projects that have such potential to rejuvenate regional areas with new jobs through clean power – setting themselves up as nation-leading examples. Also in Port Augusta, I helped launch Penny Wright’s rural mental health consultation. I’ve been to the Murray mouth to push for reforms that will keep our river system healthy – we simply cannot continue business as usual and expect to have a healthy river that can sustain our kids and grandkids into the future. And I’ve been to Toowoomba where we’ve been campaigning heavily to protect fertile agricultural land and our precious water reserves from coal and coal seam gas, urging the development of renewable energy over yet more fossil fuel expansion.

These are all issues that the Greens and much of rural and regional Australia see eye to eye on.

Meanwhile the carbon price arrived on July 1st and we didn’t see the apocalypse that Tony Abbott had been scaring Australians about. Since its implementation we have seen a shift away from fear mongering to some

intelligent discussion and debate, as well as plenty of thoughts on how to reduce power consumption – saving on bills and cutting the pollution that drives global warming. A great outcome thanks to the Greens. The parliament has been debating asylum seeker policy, which is a debate about people’s lives, their rights and their dignity. The Greens want asylum seekers at the heart of the debate.

The other parties do not want to take people seeking asylum in Australia, and want to send them anywhere but here.

That has been confused deliberately with the issue of saving lives at sea. Far from wanting people to suffer, the Greens want a regional framework, we want to support the UNHCR’s efforts to process people in Indonesia and Malaysia, and we want better search and rescue to stop people dying.

What we don’t want is turning boats back on the dangerous seas, trampling on people’s rights and embarrassing our international reputation. Australia can only achieve a regional framework if we uphold human rights. No other country will sign up to the Human Rights and Refugee Conventions if Australia turns its back on boats. Much has been said about compromise. What is not understood is that the compromise that the Gillard government, Robb Oakeshott, Tony Windsor and Andrew Wilkie wanted was to strip out of our migration laws any protection for human rights. That is not a compromise, that is a crime.

Senator rachel SieWert

The last parliamentary sitting period finished with the Government and Coalition uniting to pass Stronger Futures through the Senate.

The Intervention has been a major issue for the majority of my time as a Senator, and

to this day I remain immensely proud of the stance the Greens continue to take opposing this discriminatory legislation.

In the House and Senate alike we stood in opposition to the Stronger Futures bills, which expand regimes like income management and SEAM (the measure that stops income support altogether if your child isn’t attending school). We also worked to try and remove some of the most harmful elements of the legislation. We supported a move to create a review period after three years, which is a positive step, but unfortunately the Government and Coalition again chose not to support our move to reduce the length of the intervention from ten to five years.

People are now asking “Where to from here?” and so I want to make it clear that the Greens won’t forget about Stronger Futures and the NT. I want to reassure you that just because this Bill has now passed, we are still working on a number of fronts to affect change and hold the Government to account.

I will be moving in the next sitting of Parliament to disallow the regulations that implement part of this legislation such as the place based trials.

We are also continuing work to monitor implementation of this legislation.

What impact is it having? What is the community saying? How is money being spent? Who is being affected? Where is the evidence that income management works? These are questions that the Government is notoriously uncomfortable about answering.

Above all else, we will continue to develop and propose effective and considered policies and legislation that is designed to engage, include and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the NT and around Australia.

aUStralian greenS National Office GPO Box 1108 Canberra ACT 2601 Ph: 02 6140 3217 (in Canberra) 1800 017 011 greens@greens.org.au www.greens.org.au

northern territory

Following our very successful local council election campaign in March where two Greens were elected to the City of Darwin Council and one to the Alice Springs Town Council, we’ve moved straight into planning our NT state election campaign.

As I write this report, the NT Greens are in the thick of the election, and by the time you read this the results should be known. We’ve announced six of our candidates and hope to have many more before nominations close. The seat of Nightcliff which is the Greenest suburb in the NT (24% at the last election) will give us our best chance. Issues we’ll be running on during the campaign will include; indigenous health, education and bi-lingual learning, public transport, planning and the transport and storage of nuclear waste in the NT to name just a few.

Thank you to all those who have helped with the campaign, especially the candidates and big thanks to our campaign manager Bharath Ragothaman who came up to Darwin from Sydney in January this year to work on both our council and NT Election campaigns. Your hard work and patience has certainly been appreciated.

Final results will be available at www. ntec.nt.gov.au We’ve recently held a Special General Meeting to adopt NT specific policy; this is a significant first for us. In the past we’ve relied on Australian Greens policy and now we have our own set of more nuanced NT policies – a big thanks to the team who’ve worked so hard on this.

In the lead up to the federal election next year, we must maintain our momentum and we will continue to meet regularly. With Greens on both Darwin and Alice Springs Councils there is a lot you can do to support your local representatives; preparing for council meetings, providing feedback and researching, organizing regular market stalls etc. We also have two vacancies on the Management Committee so if you have a spare hour or two a week get in touch – we need you!

QUeenSland

Things continue to be hectic in Queensland. We had the state election at the end of March, with a slight decrease in our overall vote but some good gains in many seats, including the Sunshine Coast region. A month later we had the Brisbane City Council elections – by far the largest local government authority in Australia – where our overall Mayoral vote went up by 2 per cent, as well as a byelection for former Premier Anna Bligh’s seat of South Brisbane. Despite a much larger number of candidates contesting the seat, our primary vote increased on that from the general election the previous month, achieving close to 20 per cent of the primary vote.

Since then, the newly elected Liberal National Party government has embarked on a frenzy of cost-cutting, as well as rapidly cutting thousands of public service jobs (in some cases blatantly breaching pre-election commitments) with indications that many more will be cut, funding of a range of services provided by community organisations is also being stopped. It is no surprise that the organisations being targeted are ones the LNP would see as philosophical enemies – groups such as the Environmental Defenders Office, Sisters Inside (which helps women prisoners), Healthy Communities (the former AIDS Council), an advice service for tenants, just to name a few.

With the state and local council elections now out of the way, the Qld Greens are moving quickly to getting candidates pre-selected for the next federal election. Our Senate pre-selection is now underway, with 3 very capable contenders having nominated, and many branches are in the process of finalising candidates for House of Reps seats.

andReW BaRTleTT Qld ConvenoR

SoUth aUStralia

South Australia has a very proud tradition of social innovation and progressive law reform. We were one of the first places in the world to allow women to vote; the first place in the world to ban rape in marriage; the first territory in the British Empire (outside Britain) to legally recognise trade unions, and we have been Australian leaders in drug law reform and the decriminalisation of homosexuality.

But there is one reform in particular that made it entirely appropriate for South Australia to host the first National Greens meeting following Christine Milne’s elevation to the party’s leadership: South Australia was the first place in the world to allow women to stand for Parliament.

We were delighted to host our Green friends from around the country at the July National Council and Policy Conference. The weather was kind, the mood congenial, and very good policy progress was made. A packed program of campaigning and candidate workshops proved popular. Huge thanks to Gabie Bond, Sandy Montgomery and the rest of the wonderful team of hard working volunteers who helped make the meeting such a success.

We have completed pre-selections for the Senate with a ringing re-endorsement of Sarah Hanson-Young as our lead candidate, with Nikki Mortier at No. 2.

The pre-selection process for lower house candidates will also begin shortly. We intend to fiercely protect the Senate seat (and with it, the balance of power) that Sarah has held since 2007. Preparations are also well advanced for our next state election in March 2014 where our aim is to pick up a third Upper House seat (and potentially the balance of power there as well).

Alongside election preparation, we are focussing on reforming our Constitution, which hasn’t been touched since the party was formed in 1995. Together with increasing the professionalism of our financial and administrative processes, the reform of our Constitution should see us in a strong position to reap success from the next election cycle.

taSmania

It has been a very exciting and challenging time for us here in Tasmania.

The resignation of Bob led to the most comprehensive and rewarding search for a replacement for the Senate vacancy.

We were delighted by the range of talented people who contested, and with our final decision of Peter Whish-Wilson.

We believe he will be an enormous asset for the party. Whilst on selections, we also had a great field when we advertised for a Campaign Director to drive our upcoming raft of elections and Philip Cocker has joined us; bringing with him a wealth of experience. We wish him well in his new role.

Selections for our Senate team and House of Representative candidates are well advanced and have been completed for the seats of Denison and Franklin. And as I write this our Denison Candidate, Anna Reynolds, has just been launched.

We are now the proud owners of a new web site which offers more ease of access to information. We are changing our communications mode with members and will shortly be using an e-Bulletin format to replace the paperbased magazine.

A real positive this year has been the emergence of an enthusiastic committed Young Greens community who are organising an Australian Young Greens conference in August (www.australianyounggreens.weebly. com) and the agenda is something to behold. They are currently running a national marriage equality T-shirt competition and are actively campaigning on the Denticare issue. We are also very proud to have supported Robyn Lewis, a wonderful young person who organised herself to go to Dakar for the Global Greens conference and now finds herself on the Global Youth secretariat for Global Greens. Truly inspiring!

Victoria

At the time of writing it appears Cathy Oke has achieved the greatest ever primary vote in a lower house seat in Victoria at the recent Melbourne byelection. The Greens recorded a primary vote of almost 37% achieving a 4% lead over the ALP. While it is disappointing that the Greens missed out on the seat by the slimmest of margins there is no doubt that it is still a result we can all be proud of.

The by-election saw the Australian Greens Victoria (AGV) organize, unite and take a step forward like never before. In fact, our rivals were publically commenting on how huge, active and organized our campaign was. Almost 1000 eager volunteers travelled from all over Victoria and Australia; keen to take the Greens’ progressive vision direct to the community by doorknocking the entire electorate.

The AGV is now straight back into campaign mode as it turns its full attention to the local government elections which will be held in October.

On the back of the results of the Melbourne by-election, the AGV plans to both double its representation on local government as well as gain the position of Lord Mayor of Melbourne.

The AGV will be holding its annual general meeting on Saturday 1 September 2012. It is the first state conference since the adoption of the new Constitution. All AGV members are greatly encouraged to attend.

liam FaRRelly aGv ConvenoR

CaTHeRine BRoWn Tas ConvenoR

CRaiG WilKins sa sTaTe ConvenoR

simon niBloCK nT ConvenoR

WeStern aUStralia

Carbon pricing had at least one unintended impact. Upper house MLC Alison Xamon spotted local energy company Synergy trying to pass on the price of carbon to its “Green power” customers, a baffling way to tax greenhouse gases.

Unconventional gas exploration is also contentious. Giz Watson MLC sought amendments and legislation that would have supported many farmers who are anxious about fracking exploration.

The Greens (WA) also attempted to disallow royalties of the Toro uranium mine with Robin Chapple MLC pointing out the environmental and social costs of the Wiluna enterprise are not being properly factored into the royalty price.

In the Kimberley the proposed gas hub at James Price Point has mobilised many people. Dinosaur prints, songlines and whale routes are just a few reasons Robin and Senator Rachel Siewert have been championing the Kimberley cause; supported by Bob Brown’s recent visit and many new Green activists on the ground.

Alison Xamon’s Hills Bill and Lynn MacLaren MLC’s Climate Change Readiness (Coastal Planning) Bill show the vision that is necessary to protect the environment and prepare for climate change. Lynn, together with Senator Scott Ludlam also presented a joint submission on the West Australian Bicycle Network Plan, supported by Scott’s remarkable bike black spot app for the iPhone.

Concerns for digital safety, militarisation of the net, and Julian Assange have prompted Senator Scott Ludlam to alert us to the National Security Review. Senator Rachel Siewert chaired the Forced Adoption Inquiry, campaigned for Constitutional Recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, opposed the NT intervention extension, and highlighted that Newstart is not enough for someone to live on!

A myth-busting public meeting with Cameron Poustie, who is standing for North Metro, was a great event and our growing membership supported World Refugee Day in June with a 1000 strong march.

As we approach the 9 March 2013 state election we know it will be a challenge but are committed to offering an alternative vision for our state.

adRian GlamoRGan paRTy developmenT manaGeR nt greenS PO Box 421 Nightcliff NT 0814 Ph: 0402 617 416 convenor@nt.greens.org.au www.nt.greens.org.au

QUeenSland greenS PO Box 661, Albion BC, 4010 Ph: 07 3173 1127 office@qld.greens.org.au www.qld.greens.org.au

SoUth aUStralian greenS 239 Wright Street Adelaide SA 5000 Ph: 08 8212 4888 saoffice@sa.greens.org.au www.sa.greens.org.au

taSmanian greenS GPO Box 1132 Hobart TAS 7001 Ph: 03 6236 9334 party@tas.greens.org.au www.tas.greens.org.au

Victorian greenS GPO Box 4589 Melbourne VIC 3001 Ph: 03 9602 1141 office@vic.greens.org.au www.vic.greens.org.au

Wa greenS PO Box Y3022 Perth WA 6832 Ph: 08 9221 8333 office@wa.greens.org.au www.wa.greens.org.au

green PARTY NEWS The latest news from our federal MPs and state convenors

AUGUST 2012

oUr Federal mPS Senator chriStine milne

It’s been a busy first few months as Greens leader as we forge through the initiatives that will see our party continue to build and grow.

I’ve been touring regional Australia to reconnect with the people across the countryside and hear so many of the challenges that confront country people.

In Orange I’ve been talking with farmers about the supermarket duopoly that has been cutting farm gate prices and the carbon farming projects that can bring good income to land holders while protecting our fragile ecosystems and mitigating climate change. I’ve been visiting renewable energy campaigners in Port Augusta who are working for projects that have such potential to rejuvenate regional areas with new jobs through clean power – setting themselves up as nation-leading examples. Also in Port Augusta, I helped launch Penny Wright’s rural mental health consultation. I’ve been to the Murray mouth to push for reforms that will keep our river system healthy – we simply cannot continue business as usual and expect to have a healthy river that can sustain our kids and grandkids into the future. And I’ve been to Toowoomba where we’ve been campaigning heavily to protect fertile agricultural land and our precious water reserves from coal and coal seam gas, urging the development of renewable energy over yet more fossil fuel expansion.

These are all issues that the Greens and much of rural and regional Australia see eye to eye on.

Meanwhile the carbon price arrived on July 1st and we didn’t see the apocalypse that Tony Abbott had been scaring Australians about. Since its implementation we have seen a shift away from fear mongering to some

intelligent discussion and debate, as well as plenty of thoughts on how to reduce power consumption – saving on bills and cutting the pollution that drives global warming. A great outcome thanks to the Greens. The parliament has been debating asylum seeker policy, which is a debate about people’s lives, their rights and their dignity. The Greens want asylum seekers at the heart of the debate.

The other parties do not want to take people seeking asylum in Australia, and want to send them anywhere but here.

That has been confused deliberately with the issue of saving lives at sea. Far from wanting people to suffer, the Greens want a regional framework, we want to support the UNHCR’s efforts to process people in Indonesia and Malaysia, and we want better search and rescue to stop people dying.

What we don’t want is turning boats back on the dangerous seas, trampling on people’s rights and embarrassing our international reputation. Australia can only achieve a regional framework if we uphold human rights. No other country will sign up to the Human Rights and Refugee Conventions if Australia turns its back on boats. Much has been said about compromise. What is not understood is that the compromise that the Gillard government, Robb Oakeshott, Tony Windsor and Andrew Wilkie wanted was to strip out of our migration laws any protection for human rights. That is not a compromise, that is a crime.

Senator rachel SieWert

The last parliamentary sitting period finished with the Government and Coalition uniting to pass Stronger Futures through the Senate.

The Intervention has been a major issue for the majority of my time as a Senator, and

to this day I remain immensely proud of the stance the Greens continue to take opposing this discriminatory legislation.

In the House and Senate alike we stood in opposition to the Stronger Futures bills, which expand regimes like income management and SEAM (the measure that stops income support altogether if your child isn’t attending school). We also worked to try and remove some of the most harmful elements of the legislation. We supported a move to create a review period after three years, which is a positive step, but unfortunately the Government and Coalition again chose not to support our move to reduce the length of the intervention from ten to five years.

People are now asking “Where to from here?” and so I want to make it clear that the Greens won’t forget about Stronger Futures and the NT. I want to reassure you that just because this Bill has now passed, we are still working on a number of fronts to affect change and hold the Government to account.

I will be moving in the next sitting of Parliament to disallow the regulations that implement part of this legislation such as the place based trials.

We are also continuing work to monitor implementation of this legislation.

What impact is it having? What is the community saying? How is money being spent? Who is being affected? Where is the evidence that income management works? These are questions that the Government is notoriously uncomfortable about answering.

Above all else, we will continue to develop and propose effective and considered policies and legislation that is designed to engage, include and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the NT and around Australia.

aUStralian greenS National Office GPO Box 1108 Canberra ACT 2601 Ph: 02 6140 3217 (in Canberra) 1800 017 011 greens@greens.org.au www.greens.org.au