About The Greens

The Australian Greens is a national organisation comprising member bodies from all the states and territories. These state/territory bodies are made up of local and/or regional groups. Decision-making on nearly all issues apart from minor administrative ones is made by the grassroots, using consensus. The Australian Greens are part of the global greens network.

The Greens now have four representatives in the Federal Parliament - Senators Bob Brown and Christine Milne from Tasmania, Kerry Nettle from NSW and Rachel Siewert from WA. In NSW we have three members in the Upper House (Legislative Council) - Ian Cohen, Lee Rhiannon and Sylvia Hale. In 2006 The Greens in SA and Victoria had their first members elected to state parliament. To read the media releases from our Senators, and from our elected representatives in state parliaments, you can subscribe to the media list.

Some people say “why aren’t the Greens commenting on (a particular issue)?” They are, but the media seems to loath to give adequate coverage to alternative views, unless those views are perceived to be controversial. To see a range of media releases from elected Greens and spokespeople click here.

Braidwood Greens and other local groups

Braidwood Greens came into existence in 1993, when there were only 11 other local groups affiliated to The Greens NSW, and no others in the SE apart from the Illawarra Greens. With more local activity happening in the region, other groups sprang up, starting with the Goulburn Greens followed by the Southern Highlands Greens, the Bega Greens, the Snowy-Monaro Greens, the Eurobodalla Greens, the Eastern Riverina (now Riverina) Greens and most recently, the Queanbeyan-Monaro Greens.

At present, there are four local groups in the federal electorate of Eden-Monaro - Bega, Braidwood, Eurobodalla and Queanbeyan-Monaro, and it will be these groups who again work together on the campaign for the next federal election.

The Greens in Monaro comprise the Braidwood and Queanbeyan-Monaro Greens local groups, some members of the Bega Greens and individual Greens members scattered through the electorate.

There are now 54 local Greens groups in NSW, 48 of which are affiliated.

Because of the Greens’ commitment to local autonomy and grassroots democracy, it is the local groups who decide where preferences go in House of Assembly and House of Representatives (Lower House) seats in State and Federal elections.

Palerang

Palerang (formerly Eastern Capital City Regional Council) is the local government area formed after the NSW State Government’s forced amalgamation of all of the old Tallaganda Shire, some of Yarrowlumla and small parts of Mulwaree and Gunning Shires.

The Greens are represented on Palerang Council by Catherine Moore, who was elected on June 26, 2004. Catherine is a member of Braidwood Greens local group, which formed in 1993.

Party politics and local government

Some people believe that party politics has no place in local government. And while parties continue to receive large donations from developers and other corporations, or when councillors who are party members are controlled by their party executives, it is easy to see why people are so cynical.

How are The Greens different?

The Greens do not accept donations from corporations, and are working to stop ALL such donations to political parties. Good decisions cannot be bought - they must come from common sense and visionary thinking. Unlike the other parties, the Greens’ structure is based on local autonomy, which means that we are not controlled by a centralist body in Sydney or Canberra, like most other political parties. And all Greens policies are based on four very clear principles - social and economic justice; grassroots democracy; ecological sustainability; peace, nonviolence and disarmament - so you know what the Greens stand for. We don’t vote one way one day and a different way the next.

What does this mean for The Greens in local government?

The Greens base all policies and decision-making on four principles - grassroots democracy; social and economic justice; ecological sustainability; and peace, nonviolence and disarmament. So what does this mean for Greens and local government?

Consider democracy (we wish that those who amalgamated the Councils had!) The council area is much larger, and people have to travel further to access their Council. The Greens want to consult widely with community groups and to have roving meetings across the shire, taking Council to the people.

What about nonviolence? Apply this to decision-making and parliament/meetings would focus on finding solutions for issues, not attacking personalities or opposing proposals for no good reason.

Ecological sustainability means that The Greens support development that maximises energy-efficiency, will not adversely impact on our dwindling resources and is wanted by the community it will affect.

And to achieve social and economic justice, The Greens believe that all people, including those who are financially disadvantaged, should have access as locally as possible to health, youth, aged care, communications and transport services.

On this site you will also find:

• Information about Council activities
• Greens motions, questions and statements and contributions to Council debate
• Greens membership on Council/community committees
• Media and letters to the editor
• Braidwood Greens submissions
• Joining the Greens

download Braidwood Greens membership and meeting information form