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Watching the results on election evening, at the Greenhouse, Leederville. Felicity Ruby
It might seem cold comfort but one high profile victim, the hard-working West Australian Greens senator Scott Ludlam, reckons if you think politicians do a crap job, then you should just try it. As the Australian Sports Party might say, playing is more important than winning. Although we wanted to win we can conclude from some of the articles in this issue of GI that all of us who participated in this campaign were inspired by the passion and efforts of our colleagues, benefited from the friendships deepened, and that we need to take the long view although of course the GI editors, like every Greens
member, have our fingers, toes and eyes crossed for a successful recount! The Editors
2013 AGM
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CONTENTS
Senate vote up in the air ............ 1 Snapshots of the action .............. 2 Candidate afterthoughts ............. 3 Campaign evaluation.................. 4 Continuous campaigning ............. 5 Beyond WA 2.0......................... 6 Mis-representation? ................... 7 Dying with dignity ..................... 8 A day at Yeelirrie...................... 8 Congrats Rachel and Chris! .......... 9 A bicycle tale ......................... 10 Pale Green ............................ 11 Welcome to new members......... 12 AGM notice ............................ 12 Rachel's page ......................... 13 Scott's page ........................... 14 Lynn's page ........................... 15 Robin's page........................... 16 Sick of Abbott already? ..............17
Clockwise, from immediate left, Enthusiastic booth workers Felicity Ruby; The post-election party Felicity Ruby; Christine Milne with the WA candidates Chilla Bulbeck; Scott Ludlam presenting WA 2.0, Octagon Theatre Chilla Bulbeck; Shades of green Pete Best and Judy Cullity at the post-election party Felicity Ruby. Chilla Bulbeck and Colin Johnson at Subiaco prepolling. a Nationals HTV hander-out.
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Candidate afterthoughts
Gerard Siero
candidate for Swan In an election so vital to protecting some of the key social and environmental reforms we have accomplished as communities and nation in recent times, and building on our visions for a sustainable, equitable and vital future for Australia, as outlined so eloquently in WA 2.0, I felt privileged to be chosen to stand for what matters to all of us as a Greens WA candidate. The training and campaign made for an intense and steep learning curve! One did what one could. We all did. Publicity in the face of antagonistic and dismissive media was challenging, but we got our message out through social media, by turning up at fora, attending demonstrations, making our voices heard in the community, and knocking on doors. Murdoch et al sought to have us wiped out. Instead, we held our ground. Our staff worked crazy hours. Our amazing volunteers gave their all making props, calling, fundraising, doorknocking, handing out flyers, staffing polling booths, scrutineering, and walking. Our Green Walking Tram was a hit! Scott's amazing WA 2.0 presentation provided a vision for us in Western Australia which, applied to the nation, frames worthy ideas our whole country can live into. And all this from our relatively small Greens WA community, a vibrant part of our Australia-wide and international community of Greens! Amazing people, working with dedication to represent and build on equitable and honourable values we can all share for a fair, sustainable and vital Australia. Our representatives accomplished much more in the previous Parliament than most Australians realise. And while appropriate acknowledgement of Green accomplishments would be nice, in our hearts we know we're making a difference with every step we take, every person we speak with, individually and together. What a buzz to be a part of it! The evidence is already mounting that this government will serve the interests of a minority who see themselves as entitled. They will attempt overreach and cracks will appear. We see it, and its our job to see that all Australians do. And more than that, to keep speaking our positive message of a values-based, fair-go society and knowledge-based economy. We have worked a good campaign and defied the odds by holding on. Well doubtless have to work through many more campaigns, and were ready. Our communities need us to go on, do what we can wherever we are, whoever we are. Really, our quest is multigenerational to strive for the life of our communities and families, environments, and our beautiful Earth; to transform the short-sighted forces of greed, exploitation, ignorance, and abuse of power and privilege. What were about is life everyone's and every beings. Life matters. Im looking to what I can contribute next.
Sarah Nielsen-Harvey
candidate for Pearce The past six months have been an absolutely amazing learning curve and experience. I have met many amazing people who have inspired me greatly, and I am now privileged to call them dear friends. We have had a tough year with both of the elections but I know that we can and will come back stronger than ever. Helen Keller once said When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us. So I am determined not to dwell on results but on what we do next and where this next door will take us and I am excited and honoured to be a part of opening and marching through this door. Part of this amazing experience has been my involvement with the Young Greens, as a Co-coordinator with Jordon Steele-john. >> page 7
Top, The Young Greens sharing their passions and what has brought each of them to meetings. Sarah Nielsen-Harvey; Above, Walking Tram at the Victoria Park Peanut. Simone Pesson
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The goal
The campaign goal was to achieve 14% primary vote, to elect Scott Ludlam to the Senate without the necessity for preferences (a prescient goal, as it turned out). The Senate vote for the Greens was 9.2%, with Scott missing out because of the distribution of 14 preferences. The Greens vote in the House of Representatives was higher than in the Senate (9.74%) a result for all electorates with the exception of Curtin, Fremantle and Perth (see table below). The plethora of choices in the Senate may have influenced this outcome. We achieved a number of subgoals within our goal, including our funding target and staffing almost all metropolitan booths for most of the day less than 5% of booths in any metropolitan electorate had no staffing, and all or almost all the booths in Curtin, Fremantle, Perth, Swan and Tangney were completely filled (see table).
The highlights
For most respondents the highlight of the campaign was WA 2.0 at the Octagon, although its benefit would have been amplified had the event had been held sooner, allowing the YouTube video to reach more people. Scott's performance on the ABCs Q&A and the comedy night were also mentioned. Online campaigning was positively evaluated, although a number of respondents reposting Facebook and
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re-elected (23%). This supports the suggestion from some respondents that the Greens had too many messages, policies and initiatives, which got lost when contrasted with the Liberals threeword slogans and six-point plans. There were calls for more Greens placards around electorates to challenge the ubiquitous Liberal signage, and some suggestions that our television advertisements only reached the converted.
Almost 200 respondents believed that we should start campaigning earlier, and more than 150 indicated willingness to be involved in continuous campaigning and another 100 suggesting maybe. Continuous campaigning was largely envisaged as the remit of local groups (at the township, polling booth, suburb or Regional Group level) with logistical support from The Greens WA. Metropolitan RGs might form sister relations with groups in country areas. Politicians and their staff would support campaigns by local groups, as well as learn about the inflection of issues on the ground. Continuous campaigning would make the Greens organic intellectuals, in Gramsci's terms. Greens members become opinion leaders in the progressive local community, linked via overlapping membership with active local groups and constituencies (unions, progressive Christians, immigrant communities, small businesses, farmers, social justice
and environmental groups); support for issues like anti-fracking, anti-uranium mining and local organic food; organising fun events such as film nights, sustainability in action workshops; ensuring a Greens presence at fairs, music festivals, demonstrations. Engagement will include doorknocking, becoming a spokesperson for a particular issue and promoting it in the local media, and seeking speaking engagements in schools, local clubs etc. Many respondents suggested refocusing our message to the economic necessity and the job-richness of a clean energy economy, given bread and butter issues are far more salient than the environment (or refugees or gay marriage). Again there was a call to reach out to the young, and one outcome of the campaign is the establishment of a Young Greens group, led by Sarah Nielsen-Harvey and Jordan Steele-john. Green me up Scottie was their slogan. (See article on page 12.)
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paradigms of the economy and sociology. The Greens, however, do seem to recognise that discontinuities will shape our future for example that the present mode of economic growth is not sustainable into the indefinite future. We are still trying to fathom the effects on our society of the ongoing communications revolution. An energy revolution, which will reshape economies, is now under way, despite the best efforts of the fossil fuel backers to sabotage or delay it. This rapid change in ground rules gives us an unprecedented opportunity to explore our wildest dreams of what the future could be. WA 2.0 is an attempt to do this, but it needs much further followup if political discourse is going to turn towards future vision. A problem noted during the previous election campaign was that various people who indicated interest in The Greens said they had problems identifying Greens policies and how they compared with policies of other
parties. Perhaps due to their limited, intermittent media exposure, The Greens are often perceived as a particular issue party, such as supporting gay rights, forest conservation or refugees. The four-pillar concept, and how a comprehensive set of policies emanates from those pillars, is not generally realised, even among some Greens members. Presentations along the lines of WA 2.0 provide that integrative role, linking our broader visions of the future, based on the four pillars, to specific policies applicable at the local level that can lead towards that vision. Due to its limited exposure, and thus influence on the election, there is plenty of scope for updating and refining WA 2.0 in a continuous campaigning mode, and finding ways to more widely disseminate it among the general public. And a nationwide version of WA 2.0 also needs to be developed. These are simply suggestions of what needs to be done; how to begin implementing it is another question.
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Mis-representation?
Ian Stann, member from Stirling, explains why we need proportional representation in the Lower House. We call the Lower House the House of Representatives because it is intended to represent the people. But the votes and seat allocation are unrepresentative of the people's wishes. Consider the recent election. The Coalition got 46% of the votes (Liberals 33%, Liberal/National Party Qld 9%, Nationals 4.9%), Labor 36%, Greens 8.5%, Palmer 5.5%, and Independents and others 4% (some 5% voted informal and do not count for the seats). On this basis Labour should have got 52 seats, Liberals 50, Queensland Liberals 14, Nationals 7, NT Country 1, Greens 13, Palmer 9, Katter 2, and Independents 2 of the 150 seats in Parliament. Instead Labor got 55 seats, Liberals 58, Queensland Liberals 22, Nationals 9, NT Country 1, Greens 1, Palmer 1 Katter 1, and Independents 2. The big losers were The Greens with 12 seats and Palmer 8 (who in effect gave Labor 3, Liberals 8, Queensland Liberals 8 seats, and National Party 1 extra through preferences). The point is that 8.3%, or 1.05 million electors voted Greens, and got only one seat Adam Bandt and that was a blue ribbon Labor seat, previously held by Lindsay Tanner. Otherwise this would have to be among the worst representation in the world 1.05 million votes and no representation in Parliament! But this is exactly what happened in the WA State election. Here, The Greens got 99,000 votes, or 8% of the total, yet we got no seats, and no representation in the Lower House. I approached my Member in the Upper House, Liz Behjat, to ask how she can represent me when her value system is the polar opposite? She refused to see me and told me in writing that she is quite happy with the system (she was an electoral officer before entering politics as a Liberal member!) But it is even worse in the UK, where the Conservatives got 28% of the vote, Labour 42% and the Liberal Democrats It is not the fault of the people who vote in these unrepresentative governments but the voting system not representing the votes cast the glaring proof being in 2010, when we had to wait 16 minutes while Rob Oakshott told us which government we should have. He got a mere 50,000 votes to win his seat, and it should have told us that something is wrong. The two-party-preferred system was designed to guarantee a majority to one party or the other, so that they could get on with the task of nation building. This was perhaps necessary in 1907, when the Electoral Act was written, but once a nation is developed, say from 1980 onwards, PR is the only system that truly represents the diverse views of a complex society. Trying to make a two-party-preferred system work in such an environment is to use the wrong key for the lock something it was never designed for. Fitting a square peg (two-party-preferred) into a round hole (a complex society) doesn't work.
26% yet the Conservatives won 306 seats out of 650 and got to govern with the Lib/Dems. Go figure. In Canada PM Stephen Harper got 39% of the vote and yet governs the country with 168 seats out of 308 total. But in Canada only 61% of the population voted. There are moves, I understand, to change to proportional representation. The only major English-speaking country with proportional representation (PR) is New Zealand, which achieved it in 1987 through a Royal Commission into the electoral system. The government had to have a referendum, and 84% voted for PR. So, is the passing of the Gay Marriage Bill there an outcome of PR? This was never reported by the Aussie press, who probably do not know this simple fact. Many countries with a true democratic system have opted for PR, among them Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark. It is mainly the Englishspeaking countries in the West which have two-party systems, with USA being even worse than us. The two-party model mitigates against third-placed or lower ranking parties entering government, through formation of coalitions. The Australian government of 2010-13, reliant as it was on the votes of Independents and Adam Bandt, allowed carbon pricing, mining tax and gambling to become major issues. Its a game changer.
Candidate afterthoughts
from page 3
We are here, and we are ready and raring to go. On our calendar before the end of the year is an Official Launch and a Christmas Beach Party. We have a fantastic group of both members of The Greens WA and supporters (at this stage dont worry, we are working on that too!). The biggest and best thing we have taken away from the meetings so far is the amount of passion and likemindedness within the group we all want change and we will all fight (in a non-violent and peaceful manner) for that change. Scotts WA 2.0 presentation and vision for 2029 has inspired and empowered the group to the enth degree after all, by 2029 we will hopefully be in charge. Thank you to Scott, who took the massive leap of faith in us, Giz, who facilitated our most recent meeting, and everyone who has supported and inspired us thus far.
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From Leinster we were driven to Yeelirrie by Bilbo Taylor in WANFAs small support bus, a great asset for this third Walkatjurra Walkabout to keep WA free of uranium mining. For one day we FIFOs could share the experience of the 70-odd walkers opposed to Toros proposed mine near Wiluna. Arriving at their camp in dusty red loam among grey-green mulga, we
were greeted by many friendly, often familiar faces, and a colourful scene of small tents and banners and flags everywhere. Adjoining a long trestle for food preparation was the kitchen truck laden with sacks and boxes of food, cooking utensils, watertank and tap and kitchen sinks nearby. This was the first of many camps that the walkers would make between
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Adrian Glamorgan carefully recorded material for RTRs Understorey. A demonstration Walk was next, for some media footage. With impressive speed the Walkers rid the camp of flags and banners, and we were colourfully and musically off to the T-junction with the main road between Albion Downs and Sandstone. SBS reporter Ryan Emerys camera was rolling when suddenly a red-and-gold-clad matador rushed out of the mulga, bearing a red cape flashing the message STOP THE BULL! One obligingly appeared in the form of Geoffrey S, charging at our deft and lively matador. This and several interviews with Walkers was captured for SBS TV and radio the following evening. I hope you saw or heard it! Time too quickly arrived for us day visitors to head back to our return flight to Perth. For Scott and Flick (Felicity Ruby) his policy advisor, it was soon back to the madness of Canberra. For the rest of us, normal life again, but enriched by our day at Yeelirrie.
Yeelirrie and their arrival in late May at Leonora. Behind this scene lay months of planning and preparation by WANFA, ANAWA, CCWA and BUMP crews, and especially by Marcus Atkinson and K-A of Footprints for Peace, parents of two-year-old Shae, the youngest walker. In a big circle around a couple of sleeping campfires, walkers and we newcomers took turns to introduce ourselves. There were Wangkatja people from the Yeelirrie area including Traditional Owners; Pastor Geoffrey Stokes (co-founder of WANFA) and Richard Evans both Wongai men; Wongatha elder Kado Muir (WANFA head) and Vicki McCabe; along with younger local Aboriginals Walkatjurra Rangers who would share their ancient culture and care for country with the walkers. Most participants were from Australia but there was a strong international contingent too including Mika from Japan; a cheery man from Finland, involved in campaigning against another nuclear reactor being built there; Nina and a handful of others from Sortir du Nucleaire in France; a young German man and another from Scotland; Inge Johansen from South Africa; Anna-Claire from NZ; and someone from Israel. I talked with as many as time allowed like Kristy with her four kids on their third WALK, and her 14-year-old veteran Lachlan, this time a ranger; the ebullient Finn, delighted at this attempt to stop Toro and uranium exports from WA; reflections with Mika on Fukushima; the Aboriginal youth who told me how lost and angry he had been before he found the Walkatjurra Walk to be a healing outlet; and Vicki, a senior ranger whom Id previously met in Perth. I treasured meeting her again, stronger than ever on her own country. Meetings in several small circles were happening around the camp. The Walkatjurra Rangers were reviewing their roles, and another knot of people was discussing campaign strategies. Simultaneously, the kitchen was revving up lunch much grating of six large beetroots plus countless carrots and apples, mashing of numerous avocadoes,
and making a mountain of fried rice. This with slices of fresh bread was a delicious plenty for the multitude who needed the same quantity three times each day as part of the Ben Hur-scale logistics of the Walk. Post-lunch, another meeting, this time everyone under a big tarpaulin strung between the mulgas. It was another, more detailed exposure to the meanings of the Walk, addressed by those with an organisational or strategic role. An electronic message stick was passed between the speakers, starting with Marcus. Kado, Dave Sweeney (ACFs Anti-Nuclear campaigner), Geoffrey, Richard and Vicki, Jo Vallentine, Scott, WANFAs Della Rae Morrison (who had entertained us the previous evening at the Annalakshmi fundraising dinner), Piers Verstegen (CCWA director), Mia (CCWAs Nuc-free Future campaigner). Several others also had their say, giving us more insights into the complexities and hopes of this dogged 26-day desert adventure we were all part of that day.
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Rob (left) wending his way through Groningen, still a little unsure about which side of the road he should be on! Valerie Salvaire
only and there are plenty in the central part of the city. Theyre a dull and dirty yellow after years of pounding by bike tyres and feet, but thick with cyclists and pedestrians. Some of the riders were going too fast for my liking there were some near misses but no actual bumps or altercations and everyone we spoke to thought the bike-pedestrian relationship was fine. Groningen hasnt been bike heaven for all that long. The city went in for car-friendly planning in the 1950s and 1960s photos in the history section of the Tourist Centre show broad and straight roads designed to entice car use, and succeeding. Theyve changed radically over the past 40 years. Today even the outer areas, with their IKEAs, supermarkets and Bunnings replicas still cater generously for cyclists, with
broad bike lanes and separated paths. You basically have a place where car use isnt necessary for the good life that this city has to offer. Paris, on the other hand, is still a city for cars, despite its magnificent Metro and the recent introduction of the Velib bike-hire scheme. I gave it a go and enjoyed my 30-minute spin for about two dollars, but the city feels much more threatening to a cyclist who is unfamiliar with the layout. The cars go fast and there are lots of them and not many bike riders. Along with 3000 Velib sites about one every 300m Paris has introduced many bike lanes. Its a great plan, and Im sure Id start to feel very comfortable after a few weeks, but its still a long way from Groningen, or any city in The Netherlands.
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Percentage lower house primary vote in September 2013 and swing from the previous election of the main political parties in Australia and Germany. Parties in the same row are ideologically similar.
power in the Senate next July, when the newly-elected members take their seats. In Germany, despite their reduced vote, the Greens may even have a chance of entering the corridors of power. Although substantially increasing their vote, the CDU/CSU cannot govern in their own right and will need to form a coalition. In the outgoing government this was with the FDP, but the FDP has not crossed the 5% hurdle required to win any seats in Parliament. One option is a grand coalition of CDU/CSU and SDP, as occurred during 2005-9, but this sits uneasily, as they are longstanding rivals. Another option is a coalition of CDU/CSU and Greens. This may be more palatable from the CDU/CSU point of view, as they have already adopted many original Green policies, such as closing all nuclear power stations (by 2022) and accelerated conversion to renewable energy. The
CDU/CSU certainly sits more towards the political centre than does its Australian counterpart, making negotiations of the Greens with them feasible. However, there will be an extended period of horse trading before a new coalition is settled upon in Germany. However, the substantial loss in the Green vote in both countries is disturbing and in-depth introspection is required to see how the tide can be turned. Is it the case of The Greens itself now becoming an old party, in need of reinvention? The policy pillars seem as relevant as they ever were, if not more so, but we seem to have increasing difficulty in conveying them and linking them to contemporary issues. Thus, in Australia and Germany, campaigning for the next election starts about .. NOW.
German Greens election posters, September 2013. The messages are (approximately) from left to right: I see it differently ... and you?; Fair rents not high returns on investment ... and you?; What the farmer doesn't know, I'll not eat ...and you?. Rob Delves
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Constructing the Pride Parade and Fremantle Festival float a green phoenix in the making.
Sarah Nielson-Harvey
to one of the editors (addresses on the bottom of page 17). A great introduction to the Greens and a good way to meet other new members is Katrina Bercovs introductory workshops: Greens 101: Busting Myths about the Greens. Sunday 20 October, 11am-1pm Fremantle Reception Room. Politics 101: How Politics Works. Sunday 20 October, 1.30pm-3.30pm Fremantle Reception Room.
Consensus: Intro to Green Decision Making. Sunday 20 October, 3.45pm-6pm, Fremantle Reception Room. And please consider joining Greenscheme or increasing your regular contributions. As we gear up to make sure that Abbott and Barnett don't get another term we need ongoing financial support, as well as all the energy of our members. If youd like to sign up for Greenscheme, phone or email Rowena as indicated earlier in this article.
1pm Saturday 26 October, at The Palms Community Centre, cnr Nicholson & Rokeby rds, Subiaco
Readily accessible by public transport to West Leederville or Leederville train stations PLEASE CONSIDER NOMINATING YOURSELF OR A FRIEND (or an enemy only kidding) TO BE AN OFFICEBEARER. THIS IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR RELATIVELY NEW GREENS MEMBERS TO SEE OUR PARTY FROM THE INSIDE AND HELP SHAPE ITS DIRECTION. We would love a hotly contested election for every position. Nominations are invited for officebearers and the WA national delegate to the Australian Greens. Positions vacant: Co-convenors (2), Secretary, Treasurer, National Delegate. Nominations must be in writing (by email or post) and received by The Greens (WA) office by COB Monday 21 October 2013. Email office@wa.greens.org.au PO Box 3022 Perth 6832 Nominations are open for up to four (4) members of the Administration Working Group (AWG). Regional Group Permanent and alternating Representatives past and present are particularly asked to apply and to encourage new members in their Regional Group to nominate. Nominations by email to office@wa.greens.org.au by Monday 21 October 2013. Nominations are open for three members of the Quick Decision Making Group (QDMG). Regional groups are invited to nominate members to office@wa.greens.org.au by Monday 21 October. Members will be approved by the Reps Council on 14 September 2013. All Working Groups are requested to confirm their mandate and their appointed Coordinator as per s37 of the constitution. This should be done at the Reps Council on 14 September. Confirmations can be sent to secretary@wa.greens.org.au or office@wa.greens.org.au
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Rachel Siewert
Its only weeks since the change of government but there are already signs that Tony Abbotts Coalition is preparing a number of changes that will affect vulnerable Australians. The most recent development is news that the Coalition is considering expanding income management to a much broader section of the community. This expensive regime has been in place in the Northern Territory through the intervention for a number of years, and the Labor government expanded it to trial sites around Australia. Information from the former ALP government about monitoring and evaluation of the scheme was notoriously hard to come by but independent evaluations have shown little, if any, positive outcomes. A recent Australian Audit office report showed that it is a very expensive program. The money spent on income management would be better spent on support programs and improved job services. The Greens have consistently strongly opposed income management, and will hold Tony Abbott and Minister Kevin Andrews to account for any decisions they make to expand this scheme. The Abbott government looks likely to carry out a review of income support. Simplification of income support is a good idea, but a review isnt needed to identify a need to increase Newstart, as all the evidence already clearly shows that to be the case. A $50 increase to Newstart and additional support for single parents is essential, and it must be delivered for all single parents on Newstart, including those affected by John Howards Welfare to Work regime and those affected by January's payment cuts.
Concerns have also been raised with me in recent weeks about the future of two important reforms passed during the previous Parliament the Living Longer, Living Better (LLLB) aged-care reforms, and the Australian Charities and Notfor-profits Commission (ACNC). The Coalition has flagged changes to aged-care reforms that would threaten a wage increase for aged-care workers. The workforce compact was included in the LLLB reforms to ensure that pay rises were passed on to workers across the sector, when historically they have been overlooked. Aged-care workers are some of our lowest paid, yet their work is critical to the quality of life of older Australians. We will continue to support better wages for these workers. Likewise, the Coalition is casting doubt on the future of the ACNC, despite the extensive work which has gone in to its development and broad support for the reforms from the not-for-profit sector.
By repealing the independent charities regulator the Coalition would hand the work of assessing charitable status and regulation back to the ATO, which is not the appropriate body. Though the reforms are still being implemented, removing the body that is set up to improve regulation of NFPs just makes it harder for charitable organisations that play a critical role in our society, at a time when theyre under increasing pressure to help people in the community who are unable to make ends meet. The Greens supported the creation of the ACNC, and secured a number of amendments to strengthen the legislation and secure the independence of both the ACNC and the sector. This is another area where we will continue to work hard in order to protect those organisations which deliver a range of important services to hundreds of thousands of people around the country.
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Scott Ludlam
Understandably, Scott is rather busy just now, sweating on his future and that of The Greens in the Senate, so his piece in this issue of GI is briefer than normal. The Editors
It's been an extraordinary few months. The Greens campaigned hard in Western Australia, and at the time of going to press we still don't know if that campaign has achieved the goal of holding one of our WA Senate seats. The initial count returned an unfavourable - and extremely narrow provisional result, with Clive Palmer's sideshow projected to take a Senate seat despite polling roughly half the votes achieved by The Greens in WA. A Senate recount had been ordered. The AEC doesn't conduct Senate recounts on narrow margins alone - a strong case must be made, and this Senate recount is the first in WA for 33 years. We remain hopeful that when every vote is counted as it should be there will be a positive outcome. If you can lend a hand and scrutineer we'd love your help contact us on 9335 7477. Im grateful to the many people who contributed to the campaign. I know many people worked hard, put in long hours, and made big sacrifices to help. We have been able to put affordable housing on the national agenda, after it had been ignored for so long. That was a definite highlight, as was making our plan for better public transport a prominent federal issue in Western Australia.
We don't have the vast warchests that come with big corporate backing, the bulk of the union movement or, indeed, from being run by a coal billionaire, but we do have something far more valuable the best people with the best ideas. grateful to everyone who put their hearts into our campaign and made it possible. Watch this space!
Top, Scott with House of Reps Greens WA candidates; and Above, with (literal?) supporters Jo Vallentine and Chilla Bulbeck at the post-election party. Felicity Ruby
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Lynn MacLaren
MLC, South Metro
I've featured twice recently on ABC TV. The first was an opportunity to put forward my Coastal Planning Bill in response to the State government's announcement that the $400m Port Kennedy residential and tourism development will have to be modified due to rising sea levels. We need a statewide coastal plan because the government's approach to this is ad-hoc, and, with 80% of our population living close to the coastline, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicting one-metre sea level rises by the end of the century, I want to put in place a comprehensive planning framework for the WA coast. Then the 7.30 Report featured community anger at the EPA's flawed recommendation to proceed with the Roe 8 highway extension through Beeliar Wetlands. I spoke of the costs to our natural heritage. Just after the disgraceful approval was announced, I held an emergency campaign meeting and put in an appeal against the recommendation. Expect there to be further action on this. The environment was the biggest loser in the State budget brought down in August. It cut the Community Environment Grants Program, to the extreme disappointment of many volunteers across the State. Not only was this program a cost-effective way to regenerate bushland and improve conservation efforts, it brought people together at a local level. No replacement program has been announced. The government's abortive plan to charge education fees for dependents of 457 visa holders has been a hot topic in Parliament. The Education Minister couldn't answer my questions on how he thought the charges would be legally levied, and I was glad to speak at the rally at Parliament House. Earlier that day I joined many Greens and Robin Chapple at the 15,000-strong rally at Gloucester Park against education cuts. I was heartened to see the ACT looking likely to pass a marriage equality bill, with strong support from Greens and Labor. I expect to be introducing my similar bill this year. I joined more than a hundred vocal activists at Fremantle docks to protest a ship carrying 5240 live cattle, which turned back just days into its three-week trip to Israel. I highlighted the problems on board through questions in Parliament and talks with the Minister for Agriculture. In Greens Non-Government Business Day this year I moved two motions to Parliament one on suicide prevention, and the other on forced amalgamations of local governments. After presenting the motion which coincided with R U OK? Day I asked MPs to reflect on suicide risk factors and to actively support prevention programs. I was motivated to introduce this motion by the recent death of trans activist Amber Maxwell. It is my hope we can ensure that young trans people do not suffer as she did. The public has been kept in the dark over the pointless marina development at Point Peron, so I have applied for details on the project approval process through Freedom of Information. A recent analysis of the Peron-Naturaliste region indicates that Mangles Bay is subject to future flooding as sea level rises. How the EPA signed off on this really does call into question their approvals process.
Robin, Ted Griffin and Lynn at the education rally at Gloucester Park.
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environmental sustainability
Robin Chapple
On Friday September 6 I left Perth in a small bus filled with colourful triangles, green banners, a handful of good friends, and set off to Kalgoorlie. Having the biggest population in my electorate, Kalgoorlie is where I am to be found on election day. The following Saturday started early for us, driving around the town at 3am to paint Kalgoorlie green. Triangles hung in the trees, on bus stops and fences, and Scott's smiling face and fine head of hair could be seen on the trunks of trees and strung up on gates. We were ready. By 8am Saturday the rain set in and continued, heavy and steady until the 6pm pack-up. But soggy leaflets and wet socks didn't stop me and my team of helpers, who made sure all of Kalgoorlie and Leonora's booths were covered for the day. I love polling day because it is a good opportunity to have a chat to the supporters at the other booths, and hear their reasons for supporting a certain party and their policies. By the end of day you feel a certain comradeship with these people, sharing stories and the coffee runs. A Nationals supporter even got his friend to drop off a spare shade shelter and set it up for Betty they're not all bad! We ended the day gathering together at Jim's place to watch the results come in, drink some wine, and warm up in front of a beautiful fire. With research strongly showing that a visible presence at the polling booths can swing votes our way, I am truly grateful to those from Perth and Kalgoorlie who helped out last month. Im also glad that the wet and windy weather didn't stop us from being the
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public and positive face of The Greens. Big thanks for another memorable polling day I couldn't have done it without you Betty Richards, David Jones, Simon Hudson, Linda Belton, Tom Oliver, Jenny Laker, Peter Schultz, Jim Thompson, Dave Crisp, Sara SkjoldborgChapple, Jennifer Thompson, Christine Jeffries-Stokes, Janette and John Kavanagh. Fingers are still crossed (and starting to get sore!) for Scott to get reelected. I am relieved that the AEC are doing
a recount, as there seems to be some discrepancies with votes. The results can still go either way, but I believe it will be quite different from what we got originally. Now we just have to play the waiting game again.
Top: Packed up, ready to head off to Kalgoorlie for election day. Robin Chapple Above: Betty Richards distributing soggy HTVs in Kalgoorlie. Mary Mills
justice
participatory democracy
environmental sustainability
Continuous campaigning
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a series of concrete and tangible outcomes during campaigns; we want our own people motivated and to ensure that we're seen as relevant and useful; within the limits of who we are (peaceful, just, etc) we must not be afraid to back unpopular causes or engage in non-violent conflict; we are seeking media attention and coverage; even if a particular campaign is ultimately a loss, we win if we maintain a constant media presence.
CONTACTS
Regional Groups
Brand Canning Curtin Fremantle/Tangney Moore/Cowan Pearce/Hasluck Perth South West Stirling Swan
Name Dawn Stephen Jane Tom Phil Toni Chris Michael Tom Anthony
Contact Meeting 0424 598 656 Thursday before 2nd Sat of month, 7pm. 0433 950 707 1st Monday of month, 7pm, 101 Challis Rd, Armadale. janeralls@westnet.com.au 1st Thursday of month, 7pm Earthwise, 315 Bagot Rd, Subiaco. 9414 8717 Thurs before Saturday Reps, 7pm, Fremantle Town Hall Reception Room. 0424 068 141 1st Wed of month, 7.30pm, Cmty Ctr, 5 Trappers Dr Woodvale (behind library). 0439 979 869 1st Mon of month,7.30pm High Wycombe Community Ctr,Newburn Rd. 0410 146 569 1st Tuesday of month (exc Jan), 6.30pm, Bayswater Drill Hall. michaelbaldock1@gmail.com Monthly e-meetings, three-monthly face-to-face, various SW venues. 0408 093 279 1st Thursday of month, 7.30pm, Env Ctre, Groat St North Beach. anthonyblond@gmail.com 1st Wednesday of month, 6pm. Ring office for venue. Contact convenors@wa.greens.org.au anthonyblond@gmail.com leonielundy@westnet.com.au grahame@angrygoats.net alumbus@yahoo.com 0416 971 591, 9523 0242 Phone 9228 3277 9335 7477 9486 8255 9430 7233 Phone c/- office c/- office c/- office c/- office Fax 9228 4055 9335 7499 9486 8355 9430 7207 Office Staff 1/151 Brisbane St, Northbridge Chris, Jess, Rose, Ogy 8 Cantonment St, Fremantle Trish, Felicity, Rachel, Giovanni, Chantal 41 Havelock St, West Perth Maria, Melanie, David 7/142 South Terrace, Fremantle Sue, Dinny, Shane
Officebearers are contactable during business hours via office staff, who will take and pass on messages, or advise if the officebearer is away and whether there is a more appropriate person to handle a query.
Working Groups
Admin & Constitution Policy National ICT Refugee Action Young Greens
Convenor Adam & Chris Anthony Leonie Grahame Anita Jordan Member Rachel Siewert Scott Ludlam Robin Chapple Lynn MacLaren Name Adam Duncan Chris Dickinson Chilla Bulbeck Paul Davis Rowena Skinner
Parliamentarians
Senator Senator Mining & Pastoral MLC South Metro MLC
Officebearers
Co-convenors Secretary Treasurer
Office
office@wa.greens.org.au www.wa.greens.org.au
Authorised by R Delves, 31 Gibson st Beaconsfield 6162. Printed by The Greens (WA). Published by The Greens (WA) ABN 41 747 355 722, 445 Hay St, Perth 6000, in printed form and online at www.wa.greens.org.au Contributing editors Rob Delves, Chilla Bulbeck, Chris Johansen Design & layout Craig Chappelle Please direct articles, photos, comments etc to robdelves1088@gmail.com, chilla.bulbeck@adelaide.edu.au or cjo41802@bigpond.net.au Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of The Greens (WA).
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