Core Policies | Greens WA

Preamble

Social justice requires ecological and economic sustainability, real democracy, peace and nonviolence and a respect for the earth. The Greens (WA) believe that Australia should pursue these principles worldwide as well as nationally.

Everyone is entitled to equal access to opportunity, justice and democracy in a society that recognises nature's limits. Human rights and responsibilities apply to all people regardless of culture, class, race, age, gender, sexuality or nationality and we will work to include everyone in all processes of Australian society.

Equal opportunity for individuals is a prime concern of The Greens (WA). However, such rights must be balanced by the responsibilities of individuals and corporations to their communities - local, national and global. Our legal system needs to re-define corporations as accountable social organisations rather than as equivalents to human beings.

Society should be based on community, cooperation and respect, and we reject consumerism and greed. Population growth is increasing environmental and social stresses everywhere. Consequently, new social justice issues are emerging which require a reassessment of values and new solutions.

The Greens (WA) support affirmative action to overcome inequalities. Social diversity should be respected and encouraged. A caring and participatory approach to economic and social restructuring is essential for constructive and efficient change.

Principles

The Greens (WA) are committed to redressing discrimination and inequality across all aspects of Australian society.

• We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples as the original occupants and custodians of this country. We are committed to indigenous land rights, the acknowledgment and redress of past and present injustices, and support for Aboriginal culture.

• We celebrate ethnic diversity and the many cultural backgrounds in Australia and we will work to remove inequalities and to campaign against racism.

• Seniors should receive the care they need regardless of their financial situation and should be given consideration, respect and power over their lives.

• Young people are entitled to a fair wage system, education and training with the opportunity to be heard and to express their creativity.

• The Greens (WA) seek to redress gender imbalances in a society where patriarchal attitudes and privileges still inhibit and distort human potential. We encourage greater participation of men and women in non- traditional roles.

We seek greater representation for women at all levels of decision making. We support women's reproductive rights including the right to choose safe, legal abortion.
As part of our philosophy of nonviolence and social justice, everyone must be protected from exploitation, sexual harassment, poverty and violence. Special emphasis must be put on the protection of women and children and older people.
Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people must have the same rights as other citizens and be freed from all harassment and discrimination.
A comprehensive health system is a community right and should be available to everyone, regardless of ability to pay. Priority must be given to public health, including mental health, and to health promotion and initiatives that focus on the environmental and social causes of ill-health.
People with disabilities should have access to public and social amenities, support services, opportunities for meaningful work and freedom from discrimination.
The regulation of drugs should be moved outside the criminal framework and be based upon known health effects.
The Greens (WA) support community-based crime prevention programs that address the roots of crime by creating opportunities for all, while recognising the needs of the victims of crime and protecting the safety and peace of the community.
All people should have a right to education appropriate to their needs, abilities and aspirations, and to adequate financial support while undertaking formal educational programmes.
Available paid work must be shared more fairly within the community. The workplace should provide safe, socially useful and productive work, with the opportunity for employee feedback. Full employee participation in management is recognised as a desirable management practice.
The Greens (WA) will work towards shorter standard working hours and full payment for hours worked. Industrial relations should acknowledge the need of employees to act collectively to protect pay and conditions.
All work, paid or unpaid, has social, political and economic value and should receive due recognition. Pay should reflect the value of a person's service to the community.
Legal systems must be reformed so that corporations accept their social and environmental responsibilities.
While ecological constraints must limit consumption, all people have a right to an equitable share of the world's resources. The present inequities should be addressed at both local and global levels.

Everyone has a right to a satisfactory standard of living. The social security system must be reformed and simplified to ensure this.
Everyone has a right to adequate housing.
Regional and rural areas must be enabled to provide better opportunities for rural youth and increase social amenities. Primary producers should receive support during periods of hardship beyond their control.
The sustainable level of the human population of the earth must be based on a balance between all the life-forms which share this planet. Australia has one of the highest per capita consumption patterns in the world, and a low population carrying capacity. We must recognise our global obligations to reduce our own consumption and provide for the needs of others.
We have a moral and legal obligation to accept refugees and our immigration policy must be non-discriminatory.
Australia has a fundamental responsibility to provide foreign aid which must be increased to meet international treaties and obligations. It must be re-directed to community based schemes, raising the status of women, family planning, educational programs and environmentally sustainable development.

Peace and NonViolence

Preamble

The Greens (WA) seek a just and peaceful world, free of war and violence. We reject violence and call for nonviolence to be established as a core principle in all sectors of society.

Nonviolence is a creative, planned, positive force to resolve conflict. People who follow nonviolent principles respect humanity, value life and approach opponents with respect and openness.

The Greens (WA) are opposed to war. We hold that general disarmament is an essential priority. Existing military industries are an unethical waste of global resources, money and scientific expertise which could be used in areas of human need. Genuine security does not rest on military strength but on cooperation, sound economic and social development, environmental safety and respect for human rights. Australia's security is inseparable from that of our region and the world. All security policies should enshrine the goals of peace, nonviolence, disarmament, social justice and ecological protection and must support the self- determination of indigenous peoples.

Nonviolent conflict resolution is essential in all areas where conflict may arise, whether domestic, local, regional or global. Those who are directly embroiled in conflict must participate in the peacemaking process. Conflict resolution must be based on equity. Relations of domination and submission or the threat of violence will not lead to lasting solutions to conflict.

We accept that victims of aggression may not always have nonviolent options available to them. In such cases we support their right to defend themselves, but we have a responsibility to provide ways for them to use nonviolent methods. Further, we must place pressure on the aggressor to negotiate a peaceful and just resolution.

Principles

The Greens (WA) uphold the principle of nonviolence in all spheres of life and decision making.
In order for Australians to be responsible international citizens committed to peace, The Greens (WA) call for the principles of nonviolence to be included in the nation's educational programs, security and civil defence training, and in all areas of public, business and foreign policy.
To achieve our vision of a world free from violence we must foster a network of government and community movements that complement each other's actions in creating and sustaining peace.
Working with others regionally and globally, people in Australia need to take a lead in fostering non-military resolution of disputes between and within all nations, including our own, to ensure lasting peace.

All Australian bases and cooperative facilities that aid foreign powers in furtherance of military aggression should be closed.
The Greens (WA) reject the development, manufacture, sale, storage, transport and use of land mines, chemical, nuclear, biological and other weapons systems including weapons designed to induce damage or destruction upon a target on earth or in space.
Australia must withdraw from all aspects of the nuclear fuel chain and arms industry. The Greens (WA) are opposed to uranium mining, nuclear reactors, transport of radioactive products and waste, visits by nuclear- powered and armed ships and nuclear waste dumps.
Australia should work to strengthen international agreements designed to reverse the arms races and nuclear proliferation.
In order to encourage disarmament around the world, Australia must dramatically reduce military spending, and sever its military relationships with nations that have an aggressive foreign policy. We must renegotiate current military alliances and intelligence relationships.
We support peacekeeping forces when they are invited to defend human rights. Our military and foreign policies must be brought under direct public scrutiny and control, with the elimination of all unnecessary bureaucracy and secrecy.
The Greens (WA) oppose conscription and pre-military training such as school cadets.
We are committed to protecting the rights of conscientious objectors. We support the right of people to direct their taxes towards other government expenses instead of the military.
Australia must exert political pressure on nations to end violation of human rights.
We support the imposition of general trade, sport, cultural and other sanctions on oppressive regimes, when the victims of oppression have called for them. The transfer of military equipment to oppressive regimes must be banned.
Australia has an obligation to provide assistance to the victims of violence and torture.
We reject perceived or real threats to security as an reason to curtail human and civil rights.
We support the right of people to resist unjust laws, unethical corporations and inappropriate development by nonviolent direct action and civil disobedience.
Australia should increase foreign aid to meet international treaties and obligations. This aid should be designated for humanitarian, non-military purposes only. International economic agreements should favour third world countries because extreme poverty leads to violence and war.
Australia has a moral obligation to accept refugees.

In instances of threats of violence we support the right of people to self defence commensurate with the threat posed and in accordance with nonviolent principles.
Police and other government officials must minimise the use of violence in arresting and detaining suspects and should record such incidents in detail.
The Greens (WA) reject capital punishment.
Imprisonment should only be used as a last resort because the present system is inherently violent and ineffective in preventing further offending. We support rehabilitation and restorative justice.
We reject corporal, verbal or psychological abuse of children.
The Greens (WA) support legislation, programs and public education aimed at preventing physical abuse, sexual abuse, harassment and psychological abuse in the home, schools, the workplace and in society.

Participatory Democracy

Preamble

The Greens (WA) seek to radically expand the democratic processes and institutions of our society. We believe that people have a fundamental right and responsibility to be directly involved in the economic and political decisions that both affect their lives and which impact on the environment. In order to achieve our vision of democracy, it is vital to decentralise our decision-making processes. This includes recognising groups that currently do not have the power to take decisions.

Over the last century there has been a dramatic expansion of democratic rights. However, today's institutions of representative democracy offer only limited community participation in decision making. These institutions reflect the inequalities within society, for example the inadequate representation of women and minority groups. The increasingly centralised power of the state, corporations and other institutions such as the media undermines the expansion of democracy. International organisations need to be more democratic and accountable.

In working towards participatory democracy, The Greens (WA) will seek to progressively expand the powers of local and regional decision making bodies. We will pursue strategies and support policies, which facilitate community participation in the processes of government at all levels. The direct participation of the community in making laws and policy must underpin all action of government, from local communities to workplaces and schools. Central to our strategy for social change is increased Greens (WA) representation in parliaments and local government as well as active support for environmental, peace and other like minded movements and people.

Principles

The role of government is to facilitate peace, justice, ecological sustainability and economic well being, with a global consciousness and long-term perspective.
People have the need, responsibility and right to be directly involved in the economic and political decisions that affect their lives, and the recognition of this is fundamental to all decision-making processes and actions of government, economic and other social institutions.
Government should be separated into three independent pillars of legislative, executive and judicial power.
Nonviolent direct action is a legitimate and creative form of political campaigning and we recognise our responsibility to build a green movement which is broad-based, inclusive, nonviolent and democratic, and which demonstrates the grassroots participatory democracy we advocate for the whole of society.

Affirmative action should be taken to improve the representation and involvement of women and minority groups in all levels of decision- making.
We believe that power should reside in the most localised sphere of government that is able to deal with the issue and that all individuals and community groups need to participate in decisions which affect them. However, it is important to ensure that the devolution of power to the local level does not unduly diminish the power of other communities over their own decisions or that of society as a whole.
Decisions should be based on consensus decision making rather than adversarial processes such as a majority vote.
Participation in government and civic affairs requires access to information and transparency in government and related bodies. This requires legislation whereby the right of people to know takes precedence over the need for secrecy in government.
Active participation in parliamentary democracy is only one aspect of the broader democracy we seek.
Within the present system of parliamentary democracy, proportional representation more readily reflects the community.
The Greens (WA) will work towards the ideal of one vote one value.
The community should be involved in all constitutional reform and the development of a constitution for Western Australia. Constitutions should ensure the right of local governments to responsibly express the will of their electorates.
The Greens (WA) support Australia becoming a republic with a constitution which includes a Bill of Rights and Responsibilities for people, corporations and governments.
Democratic reform is needed to make transnational organisations, such as the World Trade Organisation, more accountable and committed to economic and ecologically sustainable development. This reform needs to guarantee the social, spiritual, environmental and economic well-being of the world.
The needs of future generations should be recognised in all decision making.

Ecological Sustainability

Preamble

The resources of our planet are finite. The devaluing and unsustainable exploitation of the natural environment has led to degraded and unstable ecosystems, loss of biodiversity, land degradation, resource depletion, increasing pollution, and climate change. The pace of exploitation of our previous abundance of fossil fuels has greatly intensified these trends, leading to population increase and increased resource consumption that now exceeds the regenerative capacity of the Earth.

Unsustainable human consumption of the Earth’s resources will deny future generations a world as rich and complex as the one we currently enjoy. The unprecedented rate of observed species extinction, ecosystem degradation, and in some cases, ecosystem collapse, is indicative of the effects human activities are already having.

Overuse and extraction of natural resources beyond their capacity for replenishment is eroding nature’s capital and in so doing will compromise the essential future services that ecosystems can provide. Our health, wellbeing and economy are entirely dependent on the functioning and integrity of these ecosystem services – they are a pre-requisite for our future prosperity, and ultimately, survival.

The Greens (WA) are committed to creating an ecologically sustainable future, integrating social, economic and ecological imperatives into public policy through transparent democratic processes.

This approach means harmonising human work and enterprise with natural systems and social justice. It affirms the intrinsic value of the nonhuman world and acknowledges the interdependence between people and their environments.

Principles

Australia must recognise and address its severe land degradation, declining water quality and supply, loss of biological diversity, resource depletion, population and waste issues.
We must stop using resources as if they were limitless and learn to live within the capacity of the Earth.
Action to improve ecological sustainability must always consider the needs of affected people, especially those already experiencing disadvantage.
Australia’s net Greenhouse Gas emissions must be dramatically reduced and the economy must urgently restructure around the rapid uptake of both carbon biosequestration and renewable energy technologies as part of a transition toward a low (and eventually zero or net negative) carbon economy.
Economic activity must become significantly more resource efficient to minimise the social, economic and environmental consequences of severely depleted key resources. In particular, the decline of oil production will have enormous negative impacts on the modern economy without a detailed transition strategy and the prioritisation of major infrastructure changes.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ expertise with, and obligations to, country must be incorporated into developing and implementing ecologically sustainable land management.

Australia must develop meaningful policies relating to total population, as well as its geographical distribution, based on principles including ecological sustainability, intergenerational equity, and social justice at both local and international levels.
Global environmental protection and social justice must be included as part of the national interest in Australia’s treaty-making processes (including trade agreements), the allocation of foreign aid, and bilateral and multilateral relationships with international partners.
Australian businesses must be required to operate their overseas operations according to relevant Australian environmental laws, except where the relevant overseas law provides stronger environmental protection.
Local, state and federal legislation and policy must be amended to ensure they are explicitly designed to achieve ecological sustainability.
Governments must utilise, for their own reporting purposes, environmental accounting systems such as a Genuine Progress Indicator designed to augment the reporting of the Gross National Product.
Human health and the environment must not be put at risk by nuclear technologies.
The price of consumer goods and services should, where practicable, take into account their full environmental costs.
Company annual reports must describe their environmental and social impacts and benefits, as well as their financial performance, in a standardised and integrated way.
Governments must stop supporting ecologically unsustainable activities with subsidies and financial incentives and instead support either direct government involvement, or economic mechanisms which promote investment activity, that results in improved environmental outcomes.
Penalties for environmental damage must as a minimum reflect the seriousness of the damage caused, recognising the value (including economic and social) of the relevant ecosystems. They should be high enough to act as an effective deterrent for businesses and individuals.
A well-resourced, comprehensive public participation process must be established and maintained to ensure that the public has a right to be involved in decision- making related to ecological sustainability.
The notion of ecological sustainability must become one of the core concepts of education.
Governments must initiate and maintain procurement policies for ecologically sustainable technologies, such as renewable energy.
Governments must provide substantial and reliable access to financial assistance, resources and advice for the research, development and uptake of ecologically sustainable technologies.
Governments must aim for minimal net waste, with waste management policy integrated with consumption reduction policy.
Producers of products must be required to accept responsibility for their products at end of life, this will introduce incentives to reduce waste and ensure products are recyclable/reusable.
Human health and the environment must not be put at risk by genetic engineering.
All life forms are part of the environment and should not be patented.
The farming and marketing of animals must be made as ecologically sustainable as possible, and free from cruelty, through meaningful industry regulation.

Our Core Policies