The Greens in Palerang
 

Archive for the 'Democracy' Category

Greens in Monaro preferences statement

Monday, March 16th, 2015

Following the ballot draw last week and the absence of any progressive small party or independent candidates, The Greens in Monaro, comprising the Braidwood and Queanbeyan-Monaro Greens local groups, have determined that, after a recommendation for voters to vote 1 Green in the March 28 State Election, voters number the ballot paper 2 ALP, 3 Nationals, 4 No Land Tax and 5 CDP.

This decision has been made independently by The Greens in Monaro, following the distribution of a questionnaire to John Barilaro, sitting National Party member, and Steve Whan, ALP candidate.

Unfortunately and despite follow-up attempts, no response was received from the office of John Barilaro, but even so, it has not been an entirely straightforward decision, as some of the ALP responses continue to differ widely from the policies and priorities of The Greens and Green voters. (more…)

An uncertain future for Eden-Monaro

Sunday, September 8th, 2013

If honesty and accountability had been a compulsory part of election campaigning we may have ended up with a different result after Saturday’s election, says Greens candidate for Eden-Monaro Catherine Moore.

“The Greens ran a positive campaign, but without the backing of Australia’s biggest media magnate and millions of campaign dollars to use on advertising and leaflets, it was always going to be hard to get our message across,” says Catherine.

“This was compounded by the commonly expressed view of media commentators that there was no point in talking to other parties because only the ALP or Coalition would win the election, and the misinformation that was perpetuated, particularly by the Coalition, about The Greens.

“But the success of Adam Bandt has shown that where Greens are elected, they enjoy enormous support and are likely to be re-elected, no matter what preference deals are done by others in an attempt to keep them out. (more…)

The future lies in your hands

Sunday, September 1st, 2013

Voters face a serious choice on September 7 and the choice they make will determine the direction this country follows, not just for the next three years but for a long time after, says Greens candidate for Eden-Monaro Catherine Moore.

“On the one hand we have an Opposition that has set itself up to take control, but whose policies are largely unknown and whose actions are all about making the rich richer. It is an Opposition that denies the need to act decisively on climate change and perpetuates fear and loathing of some of the most vulnerable people, including asylum seekers,” says Catherine.

“On the other hand we have  government that seems to be trying to match the Opposition’s position in a number of areas, including refugees, and that also lacks the courage to ask the wealthiest to pay a fairer share.

“Both are determined to hold onto power at any cost, and have lost sight of the need to make decisions for the greater good of the whole community, into the future.

“But it doesn’t have to be simply an “either… or” situation. (more…)

Greens in Eden-Monaro suggest preferences

Monday, August 19th, 2013

Following the close of nominations and ballot paper draw, The Greens are making the following recommendations on our how-to-vote leaflet being distributed at pre-polling and on Election Day, September 7.

The order reflects the priorities of each of the parties/candidates compared with our own, and we have based our decision on the policies and/or statements of each of the candidates. Of course in the end it is up to the voter to decide, but remember to number all the squares so your vote is formal.

A statement on the principle of our decision in regard to the ALP and Coalition can be found here:

braidwood.nsw.greens.org.au/2013/08/10/greens-preference-decision/

6 HENDY, Peter (Liberal)

2 TYE, Martin (Stable Population Party)

3 Kelly, Mike (Labor)

4 LYNCH, Dean (Palmer United Party)

1 MOORE, Catherine (The Greens)

7 GOUMAS, Costas (Citizens Electoral Council)

5 THALER, Andrew (Independent)

8 CATTON, Warren (Christian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group))

Greens’ preference decision

Saturday, August 10th, 2013

The Greens in Eden-Monaro have decided ahead of the final list of candidates to announce our preference recommendation decision. We have taken this course of action to end the speculation about this issue and allow us to get on with the important task of campaigning on real issues.

The four groups in Eden-Monaro have determined that, after a recommendation for voters to vote 1 Green, they number the ballot paper in favour of any like-minded independents. We will also be suggesting they number the ALP ahead of the Liberal Party candidate, but the final order of all other candidates will not be determined until after the draw, according to our usual practice.

The decision has been made independently by the four groups, based on an assessment of the current political situation. It has not been a straightforward decision, with Green voter opinions polarised. Some people say they will not vote Green unless we preference the ALP, others say they will not vote Green if we do. None of them wants to see us suggest a recommendation for the Liberal Party. Many Greens would prefer that we do not recommend a preference to anyone, so that the voter makes their own decision, and while many of us support this, we also acknowledge that we do not want to risk an Abbott-led Coalition government if there is a likelihood of informal votes resulting from that.

The rationale for our decision is based on the following:

  • The Coalition’s ongoing refusal to act on climate change, beginning in 1996 at the start of the Howard era. This has set us back decades, especially now that the impacts of climate change have accelerated. Despite this, members of the current Coalition are still in denial.
  • The Greens’ support for the National Broadband Network, particularly in relation to the benefits that will be felt in many rural and regional parts of Eden-Monaro.
  • Introduction by the ALP of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
  • The Coalition’s regressive tax proposals.
  • WorkChoices, and the Liberal candidate’s involvement in its development and implementation during the Howard era.
  • While we acknowledge that the ALP has shown itself to be at least as bad as the Coalition on the issue of asylum seekers, we also acknowledge that it was the Howard government who first created the climate of “fear and loathing” around some of the world’s most vulnerable people. It was also the Howard Government which took us to war with Iraq, which helped to create many of the problems we are now seeing and which are causing people to flee in the first place.

We would reiterate that as always, it is up to voters to make up their own minds, and numbering all squares on the small ballot paper will ensure that they cast a formal vote.

Standing up for what matters in Eden-Monaro

Wednesday, July 17th, 2013

In the wake of the launch of The Australian Greens’ policy platform “Standing up for what matters”, Greens candidate for Eden-Monaro Catherine Moore says that The Greens are the obvious party of choice for all those who want to see a change of focus in politics, and positive and meaningful proposals to take us into the future.

“If they were implemented, the policy initiatives that we have released for this election would ensure a healthy, just and sustainable future for the people of Eden-Monaro.

“By introducing simple measures like a 0.2% levy on bank assets in excess of $100 billion, the abolition of tax-payer funded fossil fuel subsidies, an effective mining tax and 50% tax on incomes in excess of $1,000,000, we could raise $42.7 billion over three years.

“These funds could then be directed into social and environmental policy actions that benefited all Australians. (more…)

Future Directions for NSW Local Government

Wednesday, June 26th, 2013

Thankyou for the opportunity to make a submission on Future Directions for NSW Local Government. I do so as spokesperson for Braidwood Greens and from the standpoint of Palerang councillor, 2004-2012. It has been endorsed by Braidwood Greens members.

This submission deals with the two main issues of funding and amalgamations, but it also touches on a number of other matters, especially those related to democracy.

Funding
The preamble on page 4 gets straight to the the big issue of funding, referring to “a local government system facing major financial problems with apparently little awareness of just how serious the situation has become. ”

Local councils cannot fail to be aware of how hard it is to fund the programs they are expected to run and the services they provide, and Palerang is no exception.

The paper states that new directions must allow local government to provide “better services, infrastructure and representation for the communities it is intended to serve.

“The Panel’s goal for local government is therefore:
A more sustainable system of democratic local government that has added capacity to address the
needs of local and regional communities, and to be a valued partner of State and federal governments.”

This goal is laudable, but it is hard to see how it will be achieved without the funding that is so desperately needed.

Nowhere in the sustainability and finance section of the preamble, or anywhere else, does the paper mention increased funding from external sources. Nowhere does it recognise the imperative for state and federal governments to stop cost-shifting. It is all about redistribution of existing funds and reassessing the current state government policy on rate-pegging. Indeed, the whole argument for amalgamation seems to be predicated on the basis of insufficient resources for the current number of councils. (more…)

Greens launch team for Abbott Senate contest

Wednesday, June 26th, 2013

Only the Greens stand in the way of Tony Abbott gaining absolute power of the parliament, Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne said in Canberra today.

“I’m here today with all of the Greens’ lead candidates to deliver the strong message that a vote for the Greens is a vote against Tony Abbott controlling the parliament.

“The last time the Coalition controlled both houses of parliament we ended up with Work Choices.

“If the current polls hold up then we could see an Abbott controlled Senate or one where extreme conservatives hold the balance of power.

“We are in real danger of Tony Abbott gaining control of the Senate which is why it’s so important for voters to return Scott Ludlam in Western Australian, Sarah Hanson-Young in South Australia and Peter Whish-Wilson in Tasmania.

“We also need to return Adam Bandt in the seat of Melbourne as a strong voice in the House of Representatives for the Greens.

“We have outstanding candidates in all our other seats, who show talent, passion and care for Australia’s future: Cate Faehrmann in New South Wales, Simon Sheikh in the ACT, Janet Rice in Victoria, Adam Stone in Queensland and Warren H. Williams in the Territory.

“We’ve completed our Senate team today with the announcement of well-known musician Warren H. Williams as our Northern Territory Senate candidate and welcome him to our team.

“Warren grew up in the Territory and has spent a lot of time working closely with local communities standing up for Aboriginal rights and fighting to protect the environment and caring for people. He understands the challenges the NT faces and the issues that matter to Northern Territory voters,” Senator Milne said.

Council amalgamations won’t address long-term financial viability

Monday, May 27th, 2013

Merging Palerang and Queanbeyan councils is not the solution to long-term financial viability for their communities and would come at a heavy cost to local democracy, the Braidwood and Queanbeyan-Monaro Greens said.

In a joint statement responding to the NSW Local Government Review Panel’s latest report, the Greens groups said “a merger does not address the real problems facing local government, particularly smaller, regional and rural councils trying to serve dispersed communities on limited budgets.

“State governments expect councils to deliver more services but councils are constrained in how they raise revenue. Major investment is needed in critical infrastructure but councils are faced with hefty loan costs and/or passing on significant rate rises and fee increases to residents and ratepayers, because State and Commonwealth funding has not kept up with need.

“If this core problem is ignored, Palerang and Queanbeyan communities could be forced through a merger only to find in another 10 years that we are confronting the same problem again.” (more…)

March against Monsanto, May 25

Friday, May 24th, 2013

Happening somewhere in the world near you.

Authorised by Catherine Moore, 1149 Charleys Forest Road, Charleys Forest NSW 2622 for the Braidwood Greens
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Welcome to the website for the Greens in Palerang, who comprise the Braidwood Greens and some members of the Queanbeyan-Monaro Greens local groups. These groups run joint campaigns in the state seat of Monaro, and together with the Eurobodalla and Bega Greens groups, in the federal seat of Eden-Monaro.

Green policies are based on the four green principles of:
  • Social and economic justice
  • Ecological sustainability
  • Peace and non violence
  • Grassroots democracy
These principles are at the foundation of everything we do, from our local activities and the way we operate in our local group to our representation at the local government level.

The Greens