(letter to the Weekend Australian)

Judith Ajani’s article “ALP up the wrong tree” (WA, July 7,8) indirectly highlights the problems with the two-party system. While a growing number of people would like to get rid of the Coalition, it is with a heavy heart that we will have to go to the ballot box at the next Federal Election and give our support to a party that has lost sight of the values it ought to be championing and which prefers, it would seem, to play dirty whenever it can. (more…)

Dr JOHN KAYE [5.36 p.m.] (Inaugural Speech): As a matter of protocol, and also as a mark of respect, I acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, the traditional owners of the land on which this Parliament sits. I pay my respects to the elders, past and present. I also pay my respects to those who, 40 years ago, struggled for and achieved constitutional recognition for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their rights to at least be counted as part of the census. Their success sits proudly in the great Australian history of struggle—a history of social justice activists, unionists, environmentalists and a stirrers, people who created a powerful tradition of taking the notion that it does not have to be this way and translating it into action. That tradition even to this day says that working people deserve a fair share of this nation’s wealth, that corporations should not be allowed to ravage our environment, and that economic disadvantage should neither be punished by impoverishment nor allowed to become an inherited condition. (more…)

The Territory Government’s decision to ram through an Act of Parliament to override the NT Supreme Court findings on McArthur River is an Act of pure malice, and a sad day for land rights and judicial independence, according to Senator Rachel Siewert.

“The Martin Government must be an embarrassment and a disappointment to Kevin Rudd and Peter Garrett.
“This decision will only lead to a more protacted legal battle and leave the Territory Government looking ham-fisted and arrogant,” said Senator Siewert.

“The NT Government is poised to sacrifice basic democratic principles, respect for the independence of the NT Supreme Court, the express wishes of the Traditional Owners of the area, and ecological common sense. All this for an unprofitable mine which has never paid a cent in royalties.” (more…)

(203 words for the March 16 edition of the Queanbeyan Age)

The Greens are visionary, energetic, and compassionate.  Please consider voting for us first if you agree with any or all of the following:

* decision-making based on principles not self-interest;
* social & economic justice; ecological sustainability; grassroots democracy; peace, nonviolence & disarmament at the foundation of all decision-making;
* a ban on donations from corporations to political parties;
* doing politics differently - co-operation not conflict, focusing on issues not personalities;
* openness and accountability in government;
* long-term planning, not short-term expediency;
* growth and development if it can be sustained by local conditions;
* immediate action on climate change, based on renewables not nuclear;
* addressing health and justice issues through preventative, not band-aid solutions;
* free dental care;
* support for diversity in the community;
* adequately funded public health, education and transport facilities in rural and regional areas;
* no genetically manipulated foods until they have been proven to be safe for human health and the environment;
* a sustainable timber industry, with no more export woodchipping of our native forests;
* more women in Parliament

The major party parties are not the only option. Double your vote: vote 1 Green and then the order of your choice.

(300 words for March 14 edition of the Braidwood Times)
Last week I was delighted to welcome about 100 women to the Palerang International Women’s Day lunch at the National Theatre. Because I was there in my capacity as (the only woman) councillor, I had to mention that I was one of the 62% of Greens councillors around the country who are women. Amazingly, I resisted mentioning that two out of three NSW Upper House Greens, three out of four Greens Senators and 53% of Greens candidates for the upcoming election are women, as was the first ever Green elected to Parliament, in 1985. (more…)

Greens MP and Upper House candidate Lee Rhiannon is today hosting a donations roundtable forum at NSW Parliament House on political finance reform, organised by the Gilbert & Tobin Centre at UNSW and the University of Melbourne Law School.

“Public concern is growing about the damaging impact that donations are having on the political process. The Greens are hosting today’s roundtable to discuss ways to rein in chequebook democracy and reform political donations”, said Ms Rhiannon. (more…)

The operating rules of the Upper House have been opened up in a non-Government motion in the Victorian Legislative Council.

“The changes will increase accountability, improve the diversity of debate and views represented”, said Sue Pennicuik, MLC for Southern Metropolitan Region. (more…)

That, recognising the importance of community participation in decision-making and acknowledging the community’s concern about planning issues, ECCRC conduct a series of up to four community visioning workshops in different locations as soon as possible to allow input into the new LEP and to guide its direction.

That, recognising that there may be other suggestions for improving both our meetings and our time management, and also recognising that things will improve as new councillors become more experienced and we all try to be more disciplined, councillors and the community be invited to make submissions on the ECCRC Code of Meeting Practice, that submissions be accepted for 28 days from the date of notification in the media and that following receipt and collation of any submissions received, a workshop be held to discuss the submissions and finalise a new draft, which will then be advertised for a further 28 days.

1.   That Clause 28.1 (Mode of Address) in the Draft Code of Meeting Practice be amended by removing all words after “..Mayor or Councillor, as the case may be;” to allow for Councillors to remain seated when speaking.
2.   That the September 14 & 28 Ordinary Meetings of ECCRC be held at the Community Halls of Captains Flat and Burra respectively, and that relevant community groups and newsletter editors be informed immediately so groups and individuals can maximise opportunities for attendance.
3.   That a review of the Management Plan be undertaken as soon as possible, and that before the Management Plan is discussed, councillors be provided with all submissions made during the May/June exhibition period.