This page will serve to answer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Australian Greens.

If you have a particular question you would like displayed here, please contact us.

What is the House of Representatives?
The House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the Australian Federal Parliament, the other being the Senate. The House of Representatives is the 'house of government' - and is the place where the Prime Minister sits. To find out more about the House of Representatives, visit the official site here. There are currently no Greens members in the House of Representatives, and so it is not possible, in Parliament, for the Greens Senators to directly ask questions of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer. However, the Greens can ask questions of Government members and raise issues in the Senate.

What is the Senate?
The Senate is one of the two houses of the Australian Federal Parliament. It consists of 76 Senators, twelve from each of the six states and two from each of the mainland territories. It has virtually equal power to make laws with the other House of Parliament, the House of Representatives. It is elected by proportional representation, so that its composition closely reflects the voting pattern of the electors. To find out more about the Senate, visit the official site here.

How many Greens Senators are there?
Five.

Leader of the Australian Greens - Senator Bob Brown
Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens - Senator Christine Milne
Party Whip of the Australian Greens - Senator Rachel Siewert
Greens Senator for Western Australia - Senator Scott Ludlam
Greens Senator for South Australia - Sarah Hanson-Young

I've heard the Greens have a shared 'Balance of Power' - what does that mean?
There are 76 seats in the Senate. Half plus one - 39 - is required for legislation to pass, but the government only has 32. There are five Greens and two independents. This means that in the current Senate, no party controls the passage of legislation - the government must negotiate to get legislation passed. The Government can get its legislation passed by reaching agreement with the Greens and the two independent senators - or by getting the agreement of the Coalition.

What have the Greens been doing in the Senate?
The Greens have adopted a constructive and responsible attitude to the new Senate. The five Green Senators continue to take on an exhaustive workload covering all areas of government policy. As government legislation comes through the Senate, the Greens suggest reasonable and constructive improvements, while maintaining the right to vote against government legislation. In this way, the Greens have improved hundreds of pieces of legislation, and encouraged the government to expend more funds on important policy areas such as protecting the environment, creating local green jobs, providing assistance for pensioners, carers and the unemployed, and a range of other important measures.

How can I stay informed?
The easiest way to stay informed with the work of the Greens Senators is to sign up to our news update.

What do the Greens stand for?

• We strive to work collaboratively and respectfully with those who care and are struggling with disadvantage, inequality and despair … whether it is in Aboriginal communities, shelters for the homeless or refugee camps.
• We believe that protecting our planet for future generations is fundamental to a values system that looks beyond the individual and the present … to imagine and bring into being a healthy, safe and just future for all, in which the common wealth is distributed for the common good.
• This is also reflected in our policies on climate change … which include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the use of renewable energy sources and ensuring that every Australian household has solar hot water and insulation. 
• The Greens oppose discrimination in all forms, whether it be based on religion, race, age, political affiliation or sexual identity. We do not support vilification of any kind. 
• We stand up for the principles of honesty, accountability and inclusion in government and we regard all issues and legislation as having a moral and ethical dimension. 
• We believe access to quality health care is a basic human right. An effective health system must be based on primary health care and preventive health care, such as health promotion, disease prevention and early intervention, in order to reduce avoidable admissions and pressure on hospitals. 
• We firmly believe that all Australians have a right to independence, self-determination and choice in their lives and that people who experience disability, and their families and carers, should have the opportunity to actively participate in policy development, in service planning and delivery. 
• The Australian Greens have a vision of a smart and caring society which is committed to the long-term well-being of all its citizens and works to build a brighter future. We see nurturing and educating our children as a critical means of ensuring the future well-being of our society and our environment. 
• We believe in equal rights for all human beings. Nowhere is this more critical than in education. A sound, comprehensive, well-funded education will help present and future generations thrive and overcome countless hardships. 
• However, our responsibilities to human rights do not end at Australia’s borders. We live in a wealthy, prosperous country, and our humanistic responsibilities extend to people of all nations. 
• We also stand up for the right of the community to participate in making the decisions that impact upon their lives … and support an independent and sustainable community sector that both delivers services to those in need and speaks up loudly, without fear or favour, on their behalf.

But don't just take our word for it - read some of the many commendations for the Greens