POLICY FILTER

The Tasmanian Greens recognise that the palawa pakana people had prior occupation of lutruwita, the land now known as Tasmania, for tens of thousands of years prior to the arrival of the first Europeans. We acknowledge that Tasmania’s First People were dispossessed of their land following its invasion by the British in 1803. We express deep sorrow for this violent dispossession and the profound impact it has had on a proud people over many generations since. We recognise that reparation for the wrongs of the past and to this day, has not yet been realised.

The Tasmanian Greens believe that the present generation of Tasmanians has a responsibility to continue to address the injustices that endure today. We recognise that genuine reconciliation must be founded on the establishment of true social justice.

Affordable, appropriate, safe, healthy, environmentally sustainable, community-oriented and secure housing is a basic human right.

Our freshwater resources are under pressure from climate change and growing demand. The health of our catchments, rivers, wetlands, groundwater systems and estuaries is vital to our environment, communities, agriculture and industry.

The implementation of sustainable farming systems will maintain productive landscapes and food security and address the threats from land and water degradation, climate change and peak oil.

Australian Greens Victoria recognise that our population is ageing, and therefore older people policy impacts on an increasing section of the community.

We all deserve the right to a safe and peaceful existence, free from crime and fear of violence.  We must protect human rights and provide access to justice for all.

Universal human rights are fundamental and must be respected and protected in all countries and for all people.

The use of all drugs, including legal drugs such as alcohol, tobacco and pharmaceuticals, has the potential to cause harm to the individual and to the community.

Government has the responsibility to ensure that children's rights are upheld according to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

ATSI peoples have a right to self-determination and must be partners in the policies and services that affect them.

The way we treat animals reflects how we treat ourselves and our society. We will work towards ending animal cruelty.

Victoria's transport system must function on principles of ecological sustainability, equity of access, and public control of critical public transport infrastructure.

Victoria's multiculturalism is an important part of the State’s identity. We must end discrimination and promote equality.

Our government is responsible for funding quality health care for all. The promotion of health and prevention of illness and injury must remain high priorities and be consistently well-funded.

State and local energy strategies must be based on the principles of ecological sustainability and social equity. Renewable energy is the only way to achieve a sustainable energy industry.

This state policy should be read with our federal education policy. University funding is a federal responsibility; the universities’ section of this policy only relates to the state government’s administrative responsibility for Victorian universities.

Climate change poses the greatest threat to our world in human history and requires urgent local, national and global action. The preservation of human life is paramount.

A BETTER WAY FORWARD FOR SCIENCE

PROPERLY RESOURCING AND CELEBRATING KNOWLEDGE

A smart State is one that values scientific literacy and critical thinking. With science underpinning almost every aspect of our lives, it is critical that we understand its influence and be consistent in our approach to new learning. With a strong University sector and properly resourced research institutes, South Australia can become a global leader in innovation, higher-degree research and specialist expertise.

South Australia has long-standing traditions of scientific discovery and endeavour. We need to increase funding to pure research, as well as help our smart young people to find reasons to stay and develop their increasingly-globalised careers here. We also need to assist our researchers to commercialise their discoveries quickly and efficiently.

The Tasmanian Greens believe that in a technological society such as ours, there is a reliance on mining as an economic imperative, and as a support to the resourcing of society. For those reasons, the Tasmanian Greens accept there will be a mining sector, including mineral exploration.

NOTHING TO HIDE

A better way for more transparent and honest government

The South Australian public quite rightly expect their elected leaders to uphold the highest standard of integrity and honesty. This means Government should be open and accountable with transparent decision-making processes and genuine opportunities for community engagement. Sunlight is the best disinfectant.

TAKING ACTION

The Greens are committed to open and transparent Government.

The Greens will:

We have an ethical and practical responsibility to respect biodiversity and care for one another, other species and all habitats, both now and into the future. The maintenance of a healthy environment is crucial to the legacy we leave our children and all subsequent generations.

The Tasmanian Greens recognise that a healthy environment underpins a healthy society and a healthy economy. We also recognise that Tasmania’s environment underpins our core brand value of ‘pristine’ and provides us with a strategic asset, which can be used to access global markets for our value-added produce. We contend that our core brand values provide a framework within which strategic decisions can be made regarding Tasmania’s future economic direction.

Tasmania’s wilderness areas, National Parks and reserves have inestimable intrinsic value as ecological treasures and biodiversity havens. They are also a shared community asset to be protected and enjoyed by future generations. Our wild places are key to Tasmania’s clean, green image and future economic direction.

The Tasmanian Greens are committed to the strongest possible protection for our outstanding temperate wilderness, our ancient forests, rivers and lake, superb landscapes and coastlines, archaeological treasures, stunning beauty, cultural assets, wealth of wildlife, biodiversity and geodiversity.

Water is one of our most precious natural resources. Our actions regarding it require a precautionary approach that guarantees access to potable drinking water as a fundamental human right, and its availability on a sustainable level for non-domestic uses, in perpetuity.

Plentiful, clean water is crucial to the future of Tasmania, its people and its ecosystems. Some water bodies in Tasmania suffer from contamination of ground and surface water by chemical pollution through the use of agricultural and forestry fertilisers, herbicides, insecticides and poisons, as well as bacterial and viral contamination from inadequate sewage treatment and direct deposition of animal faeces.

The Tasmanian Greens believe that good health is a combination of optimum physical, mental, spiritual, cultural and social wellbeing; it is not simply the absence of disease or infirmity.

The Greens believe that far greater emphasis must be placed on preventative health programs that encourage the maintenance of good health into old age and ensure a better quality of life. The present level of expenditure on curative services is unsustainable and increasingly benefits those who lead inherently unhealthy lifestyles.

The management of the State Budget is the key government instrument for implementing economic policy. Budgets need to be assessed on long-term environmental, social and cultural impacts.

The Greens are committed to responsible budget management. The Tasmanian Greens previous Alternative Budgets demonstrated the triple-bottom line principle, and integrated social and environmental objectives with economic priorities. This is the same approach we will take in government.

We intend to realise our vision for a healthy, compassionate Tasmania, leading in sound economic management that incorporates environmental protection and social justice.

Tasmania’s forests are internationally renowned and identified. High conservation areas should be protected. Tasmania’s unreserved native forests need be managed sensibly for future generations and so that they continue to support the ecological systems on which we depend.

Tasmania’s native forests provide habitat for native species, protect our soils, keep water supplies clean, are a major carbon sink, serve as the centrepiece of Tasmania’s tourist industry, are a resource for recreational, educational, cultural and spiritual pursuits, and are the basis for a range of commercial activities, such as beekeepers and honey production.

The Tasmanian Greens believe that an efficient, integrated system of road, rail, air and sea transport, provided by both public and private sectors, is necessary to support the economy, provide greater social equity, maximise fuel efficiency and minimise pollution.

The efficiency of the state’s transport systems influences the price we pay for goods and services. It is vital in providing access to services and employment. Access to a safe, reliable and sustainable public transport system is pivotal to full community participation, especially for youth and those in rural areas.

The Greens believe that electricity should be affordable and generated from renewable sources. Tasmania can lead Australia in transitioning to an economy fuelled by 100% renewable energy, with energy efficient homes, buildings and industries while maintaining affordable power prices for household consumers. Providing clean and affordable electricity will advance Tasmania’s economic wellbeing, energy security and competitive carbon advantage in a low-carbon economy.

Keeping electricity clean and affordable will enable Tasmania to take a leading role in the application of emerging green energy technologies and attract clean industries, which will further reduce our carbon footprint while growing sustainable jobs.

The Tasmanian Greens are committed to participatory democracy and recognise that local council activities impact on all citizens. Many people are unaware of its operations and of their rights and responsibilities, and the Greens would work to increase community awareness of, and involvement in, local government and encourage greater voter participation. When councils operate without appropriate community input, Local Government becomes unrepresentative and remains open to the influence of powerful groups or individuals at the expense of participatory democracy.

The Tasmanian Greens believe that democracy depends upon the effective participation of all citizens in the political life of the community and that, in a rapidly changing world, our public institutions and civic life need nurturing and constant renewal in order to function well.

Many Tasmanians feel marginalised, detached and isolated from public life and increasingly mistrustful of the formal institutions of democratic governance. A growing culture of intimidation against those who dissent has induced a climate of fear where corporate entities are seen to hold disproportionate influence over government. Convoluted and valueless consultation and appeal processes have exasperated and alienated many members of the community.

The Tasmanian Greens believe having a secure, affordable place to call home is a fundamental human right. We recognise that the availability, affordability and form of housing in any society influences the nature and wellbeing of the community and its social cohesion. The Tasmanian Greens encourage housing that supports communities, is environmentally sustainable, is thermally efficient, minimises cost of living pressures and avoids suburban sprawl. A secure, affordable home provides the foundation for economic, social and physical wellbeing.

The Tasmanian Greens believe that proper waste management is a matter of social, environmental and economic urgency. Good waste management policy should deliver cleaner land, water and oceans by reducing litter and toxins in the environment.

The recovery and recycling sectors offer massive economic and social opportunities for Tasmania in the form of investment in new recycling processes, and regional employment growth.

We believe that those responsible for the generation of waste should be responsible for the real cost of waste management.

The Greens believe that every person has something special and unique to contribute to our community. These opportunities can best be realised by creating a community in which each person is provided with a sense of his or her own worth, a process which begins in childhood.

The determining factors for whether people stay in the state, find rewarding employment and secure a meaningful place in the community include: access to secure, affordable long term housing; appropriate education and training; diverse cultural and recreational facilities; reliable and affordable transport; adequate health and community services and comprehensive information about all services available to the community.

The Tasmanian Greens recognise that the Earth’s climate is changing and that the scale and pace of this warming is caused by human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. We base this on the overwhelming body of contemporary science, including the most recent U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report which found that scientists are now 95% confident that climate change is human induced.

A BETTER WAY FOR A HEALTHIER SA

PREVENTION IS BETTER (AND CHEAPER) THAN A CURE

Australia was built on the principle of a ‘fair go’ for everyone, yet we seem to have lost our way; especially when it comes to health care. The Greens believe that every South Australian is entitled to the best health care system possible, regardless of where they live or how much they earn.

The cost of providing healthcare is rapidly increasing. It will soon consume the entire State budget unless we find a better way. Furthermore, although almost 50% of South Australians will experience mental health problems at some stage in their lives; mental health services continue to be under-funded.

FIXING THE VOTING SYSTEM

A BETTER WAY FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE THEIR SAY AT ELECTIONS

Reforming the voting system is long overdue. Backroom preference deals between parties have hijacked democracy and have led to candidates being elected with very little public support.

The Greens have a better way for people to have their say at election time. We believe that voters should decide where their preferences go. Enabling people to determine where their vote goes, rather than parties deciding, is a right that must be restored.

Taking Action

In 2013, the SA Greens introduced a Bill to abolish preference deals in the Upper House, and put the power back into the hands of each individual voter. In 2014, the Greens will re-introduce this Bill. This will result in a simpler ballot paper, and a fairer and more transparent democratic voting result.

The Greens will:

A BETTER WAY TO MANAGE MINERAL RESOURCES

MINING RESPONSIBLY WITH BENEFITS TO COMMUNITIES

Mining brings both benefits and costs to South Australia. Currently, mining and exploration leases cover much of the State, including prime agricultural land and most of our conservation areas. Mineral resources belong to the people, yet we are often sold short when governments negotiate with big mining companies. To ensure mining and exploration is done for the benefit of all, we need to protect our high value farmland, our water resources and our natural environment, and maximise the return to the community.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is virtually toothless when it comes to mining. Mining Ministers rarely look beyond short-term profit or insist on thorough environmental impact assessment.

• More School sport
• No drugs in sport
• Community Sport
• More womens' sport

Participation in sport plays an important role in the development of social, organisational and communication skills.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• Marriage for all
• Equal right to parent
• Identity recognition
• Appropriate services

The LGBTIQ community deserves equal treatment in the law and the community. Sexual and gender diversity benefits our society.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• Raise Humanitarian Quota
• End offshore processing
• Resettlement Services

Australia has humanitarian and legal obligations to accept refugees and reunite families. Australian society benefits from immigration.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• Dental for Medicare
• Mental health funding
• Extend Medicare

Everyone has the right to timely, quality health care. The fairest, most efficient way to achieve this is a well-resourced public system.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• Affordable childcare
• Workplace-provided care
• Fair wages for carers

All Australian families are entitled to access high quality, affordable childcare when they need it.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• Self-determination
• Social participation
• Appropriate services

People with disability, their families and carers, should be able to actively participate in policy, service planning and delivery.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• More local content
• Increase artists funding
• More art in rural areas

Arts and culture are vital to our social wellbeing and economy. Supporting, promoting and protecting Australian artists and their work.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• Out of Afghanistan
• Independent approach
• Vote before war

Real security rests on cooperation, fair economic and social development, and respect for human rights, rather than on military capability.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• Peace and democracy
• Self-determination
• Non-violence

Australian foreign policy should benefit both the Australian people and the people of the countries with which we engage.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• Cohesive diversity
• Eliminate racism
• Cultural rights

All people, regardless of ethnicity, culture, religion, language or place of birth, have equal rights economically, socially and culturally.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• Community Legal Services
• Bill of Rights
• Repeal sedition laws
• Separation of powers

The chronic under-funding of legal aid and community legal centres results in people missing out. A just society is a healthy society.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• Corporate Ethics
• Social Responsibility
• More rigorous oversight

Corporate activity should consider the concerns and interests of all stakeholders - shareholders, employees, business partners and society.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• Stronger FOI laws
• Whistleblower protection
• Diverse contributions

Community participation in decision-making should be an ongoing process, and participants should be free of the fear of retribution.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• Sustainable development
• Democratic systems
• Multilateral trade deals

A global economic system that promotes environmental sustainability, human rights and a decent standard of living for all.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• No tax cuts for the rich
• High-skill green jobs
• Zero-carbon industries

The economy must be equitable, serve the needs of everyone and provide the best chance to meet the challenges of the future.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• Zero waste goal
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
• 10c deposit legislation

Waste management policy should adopt a zero waste goal to conserve natural resources for future generations

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• Green farming practices
• Sustainable water usage
• Pro rural communities

Sustainable agriculture is fundamental to supporting rural communities, which are a vital part of Australian society.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• Plantation diversity
• No new coal mines
• Marine biodiversity

Manage resources taking into account intergenerational equity, biodiversity conservation and respect for traditional ownership.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• Protect marine habitats
• Balanced ecosystem
• No whaling. Ever.

Ecosystems-based management is the most sustainable and appropriate model for the management of Australia's marine territories.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• Precautionary principle
• Sustainable resource use
• Cultural knowledge
• We depend on ecology

Australians have a duty of care to manage our unique natural environment, to ensure its ongoing sustainability for the future.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

• Habitat management
• Work with landowners
• End broad-scale clearing

Biodiversity and ecosystems maintain Earth's life-support systems; the conservation of biodiversity is essential for human wellbeing.

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that: