What Australia Needs Now from the Greens
www.lyrebirddreaming.com
David Shoebridge’s election as Greens leader could be good news for Australia. He brings intellectual rigour and a willingness to challenge dysfunction and abuse of power. I also saw something of his character in November 2023, when he visited me during my #ClimateHungerStrike outside Parliament House. He sat down beside me on the grass and struck me as sincere and compassionate. That encounter stayed with me. I’d like more Australians to experience that side of him. My first vote almost 40 year

Your opinion on what you think Australia needs from the Greens at this point in time is welcome.

You may agree with Gregory Andrews or not. He respects and likes David Shoebridge but he has this to say:

The Greens have many policies I support. Real climate action. Protecting nature. Affordable housing. Challenging the enormous waste and strategic dependence of AUKUS. Speaking the truth on the genocide in Gaza. These are issues that deserve a serious hearing beyond the party’s existing supporters.

But worthwhile policies don’t automatically earn people’s trust. And Australia’s political landscape has changed radically in the past few months. September’s Newspoll put One Nation on 30 per cent and the Greens on 13. Roy Morgan’s latest fortnightly poll put them on 25.5 and 15 per cent respectively. Both placed One Nation ahead of the Coalition on primary votes.

The Greens can no-longer assume they’re Australia’s principal alternative to the established parties. Or a safety net in the Senate to protect us from rogue governments. One Nation has overtaken them by a considerable margin. Yes, polls aren’t election results. But dismissing that warning would be a serious mistake.

My concern is that too often the Greens project anger and judgement. People who broadly share their concerns can be made to feel morally suspect because they disagree on something, use the wrong language or don’t fit expectations. Genuine inclusion means making room for people who haven’t already passed your ideological entrance exam.

Yes, there’s plenty to be angry about. I understand that because I’m angry too. But relentless anger wears away optimism, hope and our willingness to trust each other. Australians need opportunities to come together and do something useful.