The 2007 federal election is crucial because our future is at stake. We face three key issues which challenge our way of life: climate change; industrial relations; and the state of our democracy.
The current drought, our future energy needs and the broader issue of climate change are now firmly on the agenda for this election. The major parties are finally waking up to what the Greens have been saying for many years. Unfortunately, although not surprisingly, the response particularly from the government has been short sighted and patchy. Rather than nuclear power plants or the untested and unrealistic idea of “clean coal†we must be investing in renewable energy. We must also be addressing the demand for water as well as supply. Notably the Greens are now also the only party completely opposed to the nuclear cycle, including the mining of uranium. The Greens have for nearly two decades been developing policies to address climate change in an economically sustainable way.
The debate concerning industrial relations will be a big part of this election. The Howard government has radically altered our workplace laws to the detriment of working people. The Greens now stand as the only party completely committed to repealing the Work Choices regime in its entirety and establishing a fair and just industrial relations system. Despite the economic boom here in WA there are people suffering under Work Choices. The evidence is very clear and must not be lost sight of in the face of the Government’s rhetoric. Evidence shows AWAs do reduce people’s take home pay and that employees have been sacked unfairly. LGBTI workers have directly lost entitlements because of Work Choices and are now more vulnerable in their workplaces. It is not necessary for workers to suffer for the economy to do well. We must restore fairness to our workplaces.
An issue that I believe should feature in the election campaign concerns restoring fairness and accountability to our nation, its institutions and our democracy. During the last decade we have seen decreased transparency in government and the silencing of dissent. We have witnessed a punitive welfare to work regime, attacks on the non-government sector and unions, the politicisation of public service, a woeful approach to indigenous policy and the appalling treatment of refugees. Essentially there has been a concerted attack on vulnerable members of our society and the people who try to help them. Such measures have created a culture of divisiveness and fear. The LGBTI community has not been immune. The government has attacked us and our relationships to score political points. The Greens are completely committed to full equality for LGBTI people.
Finally, I want to talk about the Senate. At the last election the coalition won control of the Senate as well as the lower house meaning that it could pass any legislation it wanted without appropriate scrutiny and it did. The upcoming election presents the opportunity to win the Senate back as a genuine house of review. Due to the way the Senate is elected it will be impossible for the ALP to win control of the Senate from the coalition. Therefore it is the Greens who must “Rescue the Senate†to provide a degree of accountability, no matter who wins government in the lower house.
