WHY THE GREENS ARE GUTLESS
Personally, I have never had a problem putting the Greens last.
I had, and continue to have, a great deal of respect for genuine environmentalists – people like Bob Brown and many who support the Greens in a genuine belief that it is the right thing to do.
The real deal… Bob Brown via The Punch.
I do not find myself in disagreement with many of their policies. I need to stress and make clear that what really offends me about the Greens is their political strategy and the means they use to maintain their electoral appeal.
If you understand that strategy then all else about the Greens falls into place.
I have seen the Greens up close in the NSW Parliament, in local government in inner-city Sydney and been opposed by them.
I regard them as destructive opportunists, not interested in governing and fundamentally, gutless.
Regardless of denials to the contrary, they never concern themselves with the exigencies and complexities of governing. No going to a budget committee and preparing a submission for the Greens. No explaining why the treasurer and or cabinet colleagues should cut an important portfolio’s budget to fund their project du jour.
When you’re Green, money just grows on trees.
Now they are squealing about Labor having a re-think on preferences.
Perhaps they would like to explain why they did not preference Labor in NSW in the 2011 election?
Who could forget Sarah Hanson-Young’s (left) performance on ABC’s Q&A, mid-year 2010.
When repeatedly asked if Greens preferences would put Tony Abbott in The Lodge, she squirmed, ducked and weaved, hiding behind the mantra of how people allocate a preference was their personal choice.
Despite being a party that concerns itself primarily with the natural environment, when it comes to the lower house the Greens only seriously target the most inner-city urbanised, gentrified seats. At local level they are ever the populist.
Inner-city Sydney also has significant public housing estates… Never knew the Greens to take any interest in that constituency. (Mind you, public housing tenants are not known to be vocal about local issues nor are they green voting. No mileage in them.)
The infamous intransigence of the Greens should not be mistaken for admirable adherence to strongly held values. It is, in fact, a political strategy.
The Greens know only too well that their heartland would shrink if they deviated from the platform to achieve a sensible outcome.
In other words, just like every other political party they have an eye to maintaining their vote.
In some ways I would not expect the Greens to do otherwise, but they make such a meal of “not being politicians”.
Their unique selling proposition is their purity and they are not going to give it up as a matter of survival and political expediency. I just wish they would admit it because anyone who has seen them up close knows it to be true.
They know they cannot afford to be seen for the politicians that they are.
To me that is the ultimate fraud. Pretending not to be politicians.
Let me be really controversial here…
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95 Responses to this article
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Rosie July 13, 2012
This rubbish article is the very reason I would never support the ALP. “Green Bashing” has been very prominent this week – and, yes, I know the Labor Party is trying to appear far distant from the Greens so that they can gather more support – but, please, give me a break!
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Wendy July 13, 2012
What utter crap, a long winded article that said absolutely nothing ! The parties are all made up from people that think they know how to run a country, all are in it for the glory, name one thing that the current government has done to aid employment, health, aged care this year ? oh thats right, they are still arguing among themselves .Fed up with this blame game within the politicians and parties.
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Ron July 13, 2012
Agree Rosie. I love the introductory “hey, I love what they stand for, don’t get me wrong…” AKA I would be a Green but I sold my soul to party politics so I could get the pension and become part of the System that is holding society back from actually doing something monumental.
In the end, dyed-in-the-wool Labor people are viciously jealous that the Greens can manage to stick to their principles AND be part of the political system- because they gave that up years ago. -
Sharon July 13, 2012
Well said Sandra!
It annoys me that many people support them blindly thinking that they are suppoting the environment – they haven’t been an environmental party for a very, very long time. Go to their website and read ALL of their polices and then tell me that Sandra Nori is wrong.
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Reannon July 13, 2012
Food for thought here…
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Doone July 13, 2012
My state seat of Melbourne is having a by-election on July 21 so the ALP vs Green battle is going strongly. It is becoming increasingly evident that much of the Greens support is based on a very narrow and superficial understanding of the issues and history. Sure the ALP is less than perfect and the NSW right have some nasty bullyboys but the ALP has been working for the benefit of the less able and more vulnerable for over 100 years. A perfect example is the National Disability Insurance scheme. Not sexy but will make a huge difference to many vulnerable people and their families.
The Greens cherry pick the sexy issues and it relies on the ALP doing the basic structural work to make our society fairer. The ALP bakes the daily bread without which the Greens cherry jam wouldn’t hold up.-
Rosie July 13, 2012
Doone- Re your statement about the Melbourne by-election “it is becoming increasing evident that much of the Greens support is based on a very narrow and superficial understanding of the issues and history”. And your facts and proof are ???? What a particularly arrogant and narrow-minded statement you made.
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Doone July 13, 2012
I gave an example – the NDI and you responded in exactly the sort of personal way I’m getting used to.
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Roger July 13, 2012
So, the Greens have “hoodwinked” me into voting for them because I want to should myself with the intangible values of that brand (the Greens). Up until the last election I have always voted Labour. Why did I change my vote? Because I have no idea what values Labour stands for any more. Perhaps current and ex-ministers might spend more time giving an inspiring vision of Labours values for the future to voters like me, who would love to vote again for the ALP?
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Charly Lindsay July 13, 2012
I very sadly agree. I was a big fan of the Greens, but after getting to see them up close and personal in the last Federal election, I know exactly what you mean. The worst politicians I have ever met, and by that I mean the most deviant, selfish and dishonest all ran for the Greens last year. They ran in area’s they had no interest in, on policies they had no belief in. They are being strangled from within by career politicians who see they environment as nothing but a catch cry to get them elected.
Mind you, I also can’t believe what the ALP have done! My Grandparents are life long members of the ALP, and I always intended to join the party myself. But as the person above me said, I have no idea what you stand for any more, but it sure as hell isn’t the workers of Australia like it used to be. NOBODY REPRESENTS US ANY MORE!
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alan July 13, 2012
I agree with most of comments, this is utter crap and in future years when historians are wondering whatever happened to the alp they might look at this piece and the comments of other labor leaders to find out. Gee a member of nsw alp accusing others of poltical expediency . The blocking of cprs by greens? They did the right thing it was a piece if unworkable crud. It had been rendered useless by Rudd caving into every rent seeking.pressure group in the country . The greens rightly saw it for what it was window dressing which is really the theme of modern labor. In nsw the alp.is owned by developers who also.own the libs. They caved into the.miners on resource taxes they cave into private schools.on education funding . Gonski is the invisible man and try to engage a labor mp on the importance of acting on his recommendations. Why labor and libs hate greens is that they stand for something and they stick to their guns in the face of overwhelming bullshit from the other.parties and the Murdoch press. Labor hates the greens because they remind them of what labor was like when they were a gutsy ballsy.party not one in the thrall of pressure groups. The labor people look at the greens and feel ashamed at what they have become . I don’t agree with some if greens policies but I am happy parking my vote with then until me a life time labor voter and trade unionist feels labor has decided to represent me
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Doone July 13, 2012
If the the Labor* Party disappoints you, join and change it. As someone who has spent thousands of hours over the years in meetings and campaigning I resent people who have contributed nothing criticizing. If you aren’t prepared to put any effort in then you deserve the lack of representation. Sadly for me though I live in the same society and have to share the poor outcomes that we get because so many people don’t put in effort. *Spelling Labor with a u shows a lack of political understanding. The lack of u has historical meaning which is a whole ‘nother story.
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alan July 13, 2012
Ooh and I forgot its gutless stance on same sex marriage and a refusal to even debate whether the war on drugs is a complete failure. On All the big issues it is labor who is the hollow man
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sharon T July 13, 2012
I find some of what Sandra Nori writes plausible, but her indignation at the political machinations of the Greens leaves me incredulous. Given the recent history of the ALP both in state governments and at the Federal level, her hypocrasy is breathtaking. It seems to me that politicians of all hues get so isolated from most of the general tax paying public that they become almost another species.
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Jane Caro July 13, 2012
I’ll be voting Green. Why? Not because they are perfect or not also politicians busily building their constituency ( quite successfully too, hence the vitriol from so many Labor people), but because I agree with more of their policy positions than I do with those of any other party. Isn’t that how we’re supposed to choose who to vote for? Those who best represent our own views?
Nori can call me names if she likes. I do enjoy a nice chat, particularly about substantial issues like policy.
A letter in The Age described the modern ALP as a pale pink Liberal party. That’s Labor’s core brand problem. They moved right to appeal to swinging voters and took their core voters for granted (the classic marketing error, btw, of many brands). While they were busy selling out public education, the environment, asylum seekers et al, their core voters walked out the back door into the arms of The Greens.
Don’t blame the Greens for your own poor strategy. You went for short term gain and are now feeling the long term pain.-
MazT July 13, 2012
Beautifully put Jane. Labor barrelled so far to the right to prove it was as good as the LNP we now have 2 right wing parties with a gaping maw in the middle the Greens now fill, hardly “left”. The fact they are being so attacked suggests the others are very afraid of them. Why would they be if the Greens weren’t offering a valid alternative?
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james m July 13, 2012
Spot on Jane, totally agree…
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caz July 13, 2012
Why would Nori call you names, Jane. You are as entitled to your opinion as anyone else. I’m quite sure Sandra has more class than to tell you to shut the eff up like you did to a young journalist because she didn’t parrot your particular brand of feminism in a light hearted and engaging article. And a nice touch to have your daughter as a tag team partner. If I were Mia I would have told you where to go.
Now, as a Greens vote,r with their typical grasp of reality and consequences, tell us how you we are going to manage to ‘Take them all.’ How many million refugees are there? 20 million?
Now should they come by boat? That will lower the numbers considerably. What percentage have already drowned? There have been between 800 and 1000 deaths so far so hopefully only a couple of million will die.
If one was able to think in a logical way one would see that the hospitals and schools and housing and budget might come under even more strain then they are at present. But not the Greens.
The Greens attract 10% of the electorate. Thank God.
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Jane Caro July 13, 2012
Hi,
Quite right to tell me off for being tired and emotional on Mamamia. I have apologized, but please leave my daughter out of it. She is way nicer than I am.
As for Sandra calling me names, it wasn’t personal, I was identifying as a member f the chattering classes and, granted, sometimes I chatter too much.
Must be nice to be perfect, but that won’t ever be me.
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Kate S July 13, 2012
I was thinking this early this morning, having been deeply affected by the death of a woman pokie addict. I remembered the capitulation of the ALP to vested pokie industry interests, thus preventing significant reforms which would have lessened the harm that pokie gambling does. People do not realise the gravity of this harm.
The Greens at least have a principled stand on pokie reform and other things. One of the benefits of the Gillard minority government was that I saw that the independents and the minor parties could actually influence real change.
The trouble with our political system at the moment is that the two major parties are so focused on the power struggles that they are more into compromise, lies and blather than principle. It makes ordinary community members very cynical about their values and intentions.
They are more more involved in their own personality and power charades than good government.
I don’t admire the ALP or the LNP. They have both destroyed my faith in good Government. Nor do I feel confident that the Greens are ready for Government but I would sooner vote for position of principle than no principle at all.
We don’t have much choice at the moment.
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alan July 13, 2012
Doone, we have all tried but the truth is we didn’t leave the labor party it represented by urgers like dastri, Howe nori et al left us. the only thing certain about this latest attack on the greens is Abbott work choices and his conservative social agenda.
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alan July 13, 2012
Tks whoever for reminding me of labor’s biggest betrayal of working people its cave in to the grubbiest lobby in Australia the poker machine/ club industry
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Peter Wicks July 13, 2012
Great post Sandra, interesting points well presented.
The Greens seem to be awfully quick to take credit for forward steps the govt takes, and quick to distance themselves from contoversy.
I am also get annoyed when for a presser they feel the need to appear in a group of at least 3, are they children?
I think they need to join the real world, they are the true masters of spin. Their attitude on asylum seekers is a disgrace, instead of Gillard and Abbott blaming each other for the deaths at sea, why don’t they both point fingers at the Greens?
I will say one thing though in their defense, at least Christine Milne hasn’t caved in on the Carbon Price propaganda. The ALP seem to have caved in and bowed to the press, refering to it as a Tax, and at least Milne is reminding people that Gillard promised a price on carbon as part of her election campaign, the ALP seem to have forgotten… -
liza July 13, 2012
It is a worry when we have a country that has politicians who hate democracy. many countries have many sides of politics working TOGETHER. Unfortunately Australia has got the Westminster system which can only support the push/pull which has weakened decision making. The Greens have no Gina Rineharts money or clive palmer’s money so cannot get a word into the Murdoch papers.The Asylum Seekers was a deliberate tactic to play the politics and had NO INTEREST in those poor people. East Timor .? The external Asylum group can hopefully show some adult type thinking and Tony Abbott has once again illustrated that he will run Australia into the ground if he can get the P.M. out.
What a farce. As for the Greens being ready for government. Take a look at Queensland. They were not worried about the number of people in Parliament who had no idea about politics. We do have Government bodies that keep wheels turning and believe it or not the Greens have Economics advisers who foresaw the G.F.C. but were called Communists at the time ! -
Ro. Watson July 13, 2012
At least our Greens have some values which do not involve hate trading.
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Wendy July 13, 2012
To Doone, you don’t know that any of these people aren’t trying to change what happens in our country , don’t speculate on my life , I at the moment am more involved with staying in employment , thanks to Qlds new premier ‘s slash and burn concept .
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Doone July 13, 2012
And did you campaign against them before the election? Are you a member of the relevant union? If not then don’t whinge because the conservative forces are just doing what they always do. This is why the Greens are dangerous, they divide and dilute the effectiveness of the progressive side of politics.
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Rachel Brown July 13, 2012
fabulous. these are the chattering class debates I love and sweat around a hot stove all day to have at a Balmain dinner party. Now I just log onto to Hoopla. Thanks Sandra for throwing the cat.
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Marq July 13, 2012
Great article Sandra, it makes me lament the passing of the Australian Democrats. At least they had scruples.
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Ellen July 13, 2012
Hmm seems this has touched a nerve with some of the greens constitutency who have until now sat back comfy in their self-righteousness because they didn’t vote ALP or Lib/Nat.
I challenge a green voter to look really deeply into the Greens Party policies and cost them. Go on. You demand it of the two major parties so if its good for the goose …
The Greens really are petulant, self-centred children who if let loose on the economy really would drive us into the ground. They are dangerous. They are not the intellectuals the inner city dwellers think they are. You are deluded if you think that.
Thank you Sandra – I’m sure as a former politiican and NSW Govt Minister you will let the vitreol roll off your back. And really between us the vessels making the most sound are the large green ones.
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Margaret July 13, 2012
Great piece. Absolutely spot on. It’s about time the Greens were called to account. Possibly creating an upset during Mr Howard’s BBQ for his friend George was their only highlight for me.
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Mark O'Sullivan July 13, 2012
It seems that NSW Labor has put out the call and decided its Green bashing time. Now one of the inner city ALP members who had the Greens as a major opponent has said she didn’t like that major opponent. Hardly a shock. The vitriol and spite drips through this vicious piece. I wonder if Ms. Nori has similar views about the Liberal Party.
The most egregious thing she has said here is that Greens don’t seem to care about the poor and disadvantaged living in public commission housing. That is just absurd. The Greens, apart from supporting various union campaigns, increasing Newstart and various welfare benefits, also support increased funding to public schools, which educate the children who live in public housing. The Greens also didn’t preside over a massive increase in poker machines – Nori’s government did. There is a lot of evidence to suggest that poker machine addiction causes a great amount of stress for people living in housing commission areas.
Nori and the others who have made their comments this week seem to prefer the two party system as it exists, with its cosy networks and deal making. -
Political Animal July 13, 2012
The Greens are parasitical on the Labor Vote. They are happy for hundreds of people to drown, they delayed action on climate change, their policies are a mishmash of unrelated feel-good crap (e.g. concerned re our sustainability yet want us flooded by queue jumping AS who come here by boat, 5% drowning on the way.
Even Bob Brown jumped ship.
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wendy July 13, 2012
What a crock! Go away. This piece is clearly biased. With Australia facing Tony Abbott as PM the last thing we need is denigrate any viable alternative. Disappointed the wonderful Hoopla gave this oxygen.
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Royce July 13, 2012
Bit by bit the Greens are finally becoming a ‘main-line’ party.
Soo they will need to become more accountable…. sadly the major parties are moving the other way….More and more we are putting up with mediocre, poll driven parties who mouth party philosophy but provide uninspired government.
The Greens are destined for the same fate as the Democrats. Reallity of politics will eventually show them up.
Still … it’s all fun to watch and barrack for your team.
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VRog July 13, 2012
Why should the Greens be exempt from closer scrutiny of their operations? People seem to think it’s heretical to even question Greens policy but if they want to truly be a political force in this country, they need to formulate realistic and fundable policies outside their usual narrow frame of reference. I think Sandra Nori has made some interesting and accurate observations, although I think the tone may prove to be counter-productive.
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debbiep July 13, 2012
You sum up at the end ~ “Their unique selling proposition is their purity and they are not going to give it up as a matter of survival and political expediency”
I think you get purity mixed up with principles. What is the use of giving up your principles to become like those with no principles?
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Lulu July 13, 2012
The reality is Sandra that your party no longer appeals to the people who would have once would have joined it without a second thought. Gone are the social justice members such as Frank Walker and in their place are former union officials who have been planning their parliamentary descent since leaving school and only want to look after their friends.
There are very few decent labour party members and I am pretty sure that if they were starting their careers and political affiliation afresh they would have joined the Greens and not the Labor party.
The Greens may not be ready to govern but at least they are visionary and care about human rights and social justice. One day they will get there.
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Eddie July 13, 2012
I agree with Kate S.
And to add… Politicizing of issues like gay marriage, pollution, refugees, resource allocation is inane and shows lack of leadership from both ALP & the libs.
If you’re a decent person, the options for our future are pretty grim if you have to choose between the two larger parties as they currently present.
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Melissa July 13, 2012
This nonsense about the Greens not caring about public housing residents is an outright lie and just offensive. The Greens are running a long-time resident of public housing and advocate for the rights of public housing residents, Irene Doutney, for Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney. Jamie Parker’s office spends about 50% of its time and resources assisting the public housing tenants in Glebe who were ignored by Verity Firth while the Labor State government allowed their homes to be demolished by neglect. I’m a member of the Greens precisely because the Greens politicians I know and have observed have taken courageous steps to stand up for disadvantaged people and the services they rely on, while Labor moves to the right and allows those services to be trashed.
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Matt July 13, 2012
You lay down with Dogs, why are you now surprised you have fleas?
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Roger July 13, 2012
What was clearly and indelibly etched on my mind from the last election, was the paucity of inspiring leaders in the political arena. As we head that way again, there has never been such a vacuum into which politicians could step. Where are the big ideas and the leaders of this time? The Greens may not be the perfect answer, but as has been mentioned on this thread, they are willing to raise issues that touch and move me. The article which has generated this discussion only cements – for me – the fact that our politicians past and present, seem more interested in talking about the the faults of the other parties rather than the dreams and ambitions of those they might have allegiance to.
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Bob Lloyd July 13, 2012
Marq, The Democrats had scruples? Thanks to Meg Leese we got the GST John Howard said we would “never, ever have..”
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Matt July 13, 2012
Howard went to an election with the GST as one of his core policies. The public voted him in knowing and wanting a GST. He never said, ” There will not be a GST under a government I lead”.
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Ann July 13, 2012
The Greens, promise the world and never have to deliver because they can’t as they are not and will never be in Government. Their “values” mainly entail grandstanding, they have a pie in the sky policy approach that is unrealistic in this real world. Whilst Labor may not be perfect they are in the position of governing and making the hard decisions and as Sandra said much to their detriment at times.
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liza July 13, 2012
I was a Democrat .I felt that Australia needed a middle party. We have seen how destructive the two party system has been in the U.S. Money talks also. I would like to know where people get their info about the Greens? Given that Gina Rinehart has expressed a need to takeover fairfax so that she can do a Murdoch, bodes ill. Clive Palmer also wants to have MORE sway in government. Murdoch has deliberately funded the Tea Party along with the KOCH BROS. who deal in arms and oil and have billions of cash thrown around at elections That is my worry . I am now a Green and we work hard to get an honest word out amongst the harsh racket kicked up by the two major parties.
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anna July 13, 2012
Honestly – Aussies will win in the olympics in whingeing…
I only vote for a major party, because you can’t please all the people all the time! That’s the way it is. Good on Ms Nori for stating her opinion, love it want more! -
Jez July 13, 2012
Peeps criticising the greens reps suggesting they have no concept of budgeting, let’s just remember where most ALP reps come from and it’s not from professions you would associate with financial literacy. Many greens reps have significant financial experience. It would be very easy to throw the union reps come ALP members just by asking them a few questions on how to set up an excel spreadsheet. I would bet hat most of them would use a calculator to add up columns despite this software being the made to do this.
Also laborites, what do you say about the treatment of Assange and the web surveillance policies that control freak Roxon is seeking?-
Matt July 15, 2012
Green reps are financially literate? Give me a break. ALP reps with their Union pasts have no clue, Greens reps with their communist roots maybe blest with some artistic good fortune hardly qualifies them as financial competents.
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Liz July 13, 2012
Dear Sandra. Perhaps you should take just a little bit of notice of how on the nose Labor is in NSW. Perhaps you should look to the failure of your own party and question why so many Labor voters have switched to voting Green. But no. It’s much easier to whine about it, rather than reform yourself. I vote Labor, but this is the sort of article that puts me right off and makes me want to vote Green, to punish you for your sanctimonious rubbish.
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Rich July 13, 2012
Really think the writer should spend her time putting her own party in order before lashing out weirdly at others. If I get her “attack dog” stance right she hates Greens but admires Bob Brown and other environmentalists? Bex and a good lie down Sandra.
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Wendy July 13, 2012
There are three Wendy’s posting today , as Wendy Harmer said she posts under her full name , I shall in future add more to my name
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caz July 13, 2012
Its too late to divorce the Greens now, It seems the ALP were the only ones pretending to be blind to their hypocrisy and far left lunacy. They would be well aware of their Communist Party endorsements and the past history of its members. In 1978 I would have robust arguments with a CPA member who would insist, despite my protestations, that the communists would be in power, it’s just that we wouldn’t know they were there. A google of him confirms he was right. They’ve simple taken over the Green host and walked through the open door.
I detest their protesting outside Jewish businesses and their anti-US stand. I know full well that they’d be screaming for the boats to be turned around if they were full of Jews. Their care and compassion does not extent to Jewish folk.
They scream about unsavory placards at carbon tax rallies but have done the same in front of signs calling Howard a baby killer. They are little else but a pack of communist hypocrites pretending to be tree huggers.
No wonder Bob wanted the voting age lowered to 15! Anyone over 25 can see them for what they are.
Good article Sandra and I agree but divorcing the Greens will not save Labor.
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Tom July 13, 2012
Well said and couldn’t agree more. Putting the Greens (really rusted-on Reds) last is a no-brainer for me.
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doug z July 13, 2012
“It makes the green voters feel good about themselves.”
That’s what it’s all about.
These highly educated inner-city “elites” are so ignorant because they want to be. It makes them feel good about themselves.
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Pessimistic Optimist July 13, 2012
At best, the Greens are idealistic and unrealistic. At worst, they are manipulative and deliberately destructive. I am unable to decide which side of the divide they belong to, because I can’t believe that anybody can be so immature, yet I also can’t bring myself to accept that anybody can be so callous.
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Mez July 13, 2012
I agree with you Sandra but the cynic in me has to wonder whether the ALP is setting off a smoke screen to deflect attention from their latest debacle.
Shane Doyle’s very informative ‘Kangaroo Court of Australia’ website has a rather incriminating document.
A signed affidavit that will send shock waves and panic through the ranks.
http://kangaroocourtofaustralia.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/fleur-stat-dec-pdf.pdf
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Di Pearton July 13, 2012
Do you know the worst thing about the NSW ALP Right Sandra Nori? It’s not the fact that during a Stamp Duty boom, Bob Carr neglected public school infrastructure and villified teaching staff, or even that his government and those that followed him ran down hospitals and public transport.
The worst thing is that the NSW ALP made themselves SO unelectable that the people of NSW elected Barry O’Farrell without any idea of his policies. -
Cullen Habel July 13, 2012
Well done Hoopla for having the courage to put this up and let the debate go, relatively unfettered.
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Loz July 13, 2012
Sandra, you say this like the Greens are made up of one voice and one opinion. Like all political parties (yes even the ALP), they represent a myriad of politicians and supporters from different walks of life and differing opinions but of a similar slant. Imagine trying to categorise the ALP like this.
You’re entitled to your opinion, but that’s all it is to me; your opinion, and a deeply biased one at that.
To me they offer an alternative to the almost indistinguishable ALP/LIB offering save for a few stand out views sometimes heard from Penny Wong and Malcolm Turnbull. They are not there to serve politicians or the governing party.
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Anne July 13, 2012
I have only read some of the comments here but I agree with the author. While I agree wholeheartedly with many of the Greens’ ethics I can’t imagine a time when they could actually be a government that addresses all the issues in society that need to be addressed. And I also believe that they have come to a point where they do actually have to have meaningful policies that address these issues, rather than being purely idealistic about them. I think the Labour Government is right in distancing themselves from the Greens – even though I don’t necessarily agree with Labour politics at the moment. As far as I’m concerned, we need a new party that encompasses many of the Greens policies, as well as basic Labour (socialist) policies and can apply them in a practical way that is meaningful to all of us, especially those who are doing it hard. Can’t imagine it happening! But fingers crossed!
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Marilyn July 14, 2012
Oh dear, is Sandra having a bad hair day because perhaps she hasn”t noticed that the Greens are not the government.
Her own rotten corrupted mob are.
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Andrew July 14, 2012
Wendy, are you kidding? Ridiculing a poster for referring to the communists?
Two words: Lee Rhiannon
It stands to our eternal shame that we elected someone like that into our parliament, and even my formerly Green friends are horrified. Sarah Hyphen-Yuk is only slightly better – “accidents happen” as a throwaway line when 100 die, wilfully sacrificed to getting more votes. Then tears when the camera is on.
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Scott July 14, 2012
Ms Nori has shown courage to write this article. The Greens (political party) strike me as elitist ideologues. Bob Brown appeared to have his heart in the right place at one time but became warped by his experiences in the ACT.
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Dave Clarke July 14, 2012
What a silly post by Nori. She starts by admissting that she has no problem preferencing the Liberals, Family First, the Shooter, Fred Nile etc ahead of The Greens. In short, she’s saying that if a person committed to ALP policies doesn’t win, the next best thing would be someone committed to tearing them down! Could there be a clearer admission that she cares more for snuffing out a rival on her left than the protection of policies she thinks are good? Can anyone need more proof than Nori provides that the ALP has lost all idea of what ideas it stands for.
By its own admission, people would be better served by homophobes, explicit friends of polluters, supporters of private schools, war, guns, religious humbug in schools, crazies like the LNP in Queensland who say that climate change science is propaganda and should not be taught at school, people who want to hand back the mining tax to Rinehart lock up asylum seekers to pander to racists and plenty else.
It’s obvious why people vote Green. The Greens are the party that many of its supporters think the ALP should be. Nori thinks abusing the Greens will stop these people from defecting, but it won’t work. Anyone who wants policies to protect us from the rule of the crazies will see Nori’s self-serving nonsense for what it is and vote 1 Greens.
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Matt July 15, 2012
The fact you believe that anyone who disagrees with you is some far right wing nut job is the reason why you will always be in the deluded, self righteous minority. Get off the welfare, stop working for the government funded bureaucracy and get a real job you arrogant tosser.
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Glen July 14, 2012
Sandra, I’ll tell you why, as someone who might vote Labor, I place them last on the ballot at the NSW election.
One issue: law and order. The Greens and the Liberals both proposed reforms of the system, to stop locking up so many young disadvantaged men and women, most of them from the public housing estates you profess to care about so much.
Labor’s record on incarcerating this group is a deadset disgrace. You and the bunch of cronies who made up the NSW government for so long left a terrible legacy of record imprisonment, especialy for aboriginal people.
And why did you do it? Well we all know why. So you could keep the Telegraph and Ray Hadley quiet, and maintain power.
A craven and unprincipled agenda. That’s what we’ve come to expect from Labor. That’s what they will continue to deliver.
John Robertson is still out there cheer leading on the far right of this debate, egged on by his tabloid mates.
Meanwhile, David Shoebridge from the Greens is consistently one of the best performers in the parliament across the range of law and justice matters.
That’s why I’m voting green Sandra. And then Liberal. And your mob last.
You really have a hide to say you stick up for people in inner city public housing. There would not have been a place in Sydney more affected by your retrograde law and order policies than Waterloo.
But somehow you’re their champion. Please, that’s just pathetic.
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Fiona Murray July 14, 2012
To all those who voted Green at the last election and intend doing so in the future, I would implore you to read their policies.
This is a Party that is rat-cunning.
They masquerade as environmentalists when their real intent is to have us living in abject poverty under the rule of the UN.
Greens are anti-jobs, anti-family, anti-business.
Where are they on coal-seam gas? Nowhere…their excuse is they can’t get the “air time” – rubbish!
I implore you to educate yourselves about the most dangerous Party this country has ever seen and while you are at it also bring yourselves up to speed with how our electoral system works.
If you don’t know how the Senate works and how these people get elected…FIND OUT…because this is why we are in the mess we are in now.
Next time, don’t blindly go to the polling booth and tick the box above the line for the Senate…fill in EVERY BOX below the line and choose your own candidates so we can get rid of this Green Cancer.
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Lynn July 14, 2012
Green bashing just before an election…..how novel
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Jo July 14, 2012
Why does Sandra Nori think that she can speak on behalfof Green voters – or even understand them? In my experience, the people who vote for the Greens have given serious thought to the world around them and their place in it, and to the Greens policies, or benchmarks if you prefer,needed to achieve beneficial change for their society.With the unrelenting negativism of the Right ( forget ‘liberal’ which is a complete misnomer) or the incapacity of the Left, what remains to uphold some standards in our poor benighted society?
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Simon July 14, 2012
I’m glad so many before me said what I intended to say: how is what you’ve said in this article any different to either of the other parties? No one party is doing enough inspiring, positive change to make us keen on you all. It’s like no one paid attention to what the hung parliament vote meant.
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Janet July 14, 2012
Apparently, being a green voter, I am an inner-city yuppie boomer member of a chattering class. I write to express my disappointment at being so presumptuously dismissed. I am a forty-nine year old woman who does not own property and has raised five children. I vote for the Greens because I have looked at their policies and agree with them. I hope that by voting Green and preferencing Labour I will see a more equitable and sustainable sociey return in Australia. Sandra Nori’s argument is unintelligent and based on anecdote and ad hominem premises.
Perhaps if Ms Nori spent more time on considering a more persuasive argument, I would vote Labour first. As it is having a hissing fit, like a silly goose, does not make it with me. I have listened to Christine Milne on ABC Radio National and she expresses herself coherently and firmly That is why she will get my vote at the next election.
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Matt July 15, 2012
That’s cool. But just reassure all of us that:
A) you aren’t dependant on government welfare
B) you don’t have some government funded job.
If you live in the real world like the majority and are forced to fend for yourself then all power to you, you are entitled to your opinion.
But if you are yet another lefty suckling off the government teat whilst bellyaching about the immoral actions of a government forced to make the tough decisions thats ok. But just as long as we know where you are coming from.
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cammackellar July 14, 2012
This is quite simply the most lightweight, myopic and opportunistic article I have read in some time (Andrew Bolt excluded). There are many valid critiques of the Australian Greens; this is not one of them. With this article Sandra exemplifies the central problem with the current Labor Party. Namely, instead of focusing on good, creative policy development, they instead obsess over deploying the coordinated language of political pastiche in the media.
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Lev Lafayette July 14, 2012
Sufficiently annoyed with the stousch between Labor and the Greens? Think it opens the door to a reactionary LNP government?
Then join the Labor-Green Alliance.
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Deb Foskey July 14, 2012
One piece of good advice in this article: do read Greens policies before voting. Read the policies of the Libs, Nationals, ALP and other parties too. Differentiate between spin, vitriol, fact and opinion. Keep an open but critical mind. Get to know all the candidates in the electorate (not just the party leader). That way we might get not only the parliament we deserve but one which will benefit our children too.
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Mutley July 16, 2012
Nori is quite correct, though the arguments would be more convincing if not coming from a politico. All large political parties (Greens included) are now run as a platform for career political operators to eventually land a seat in parliament. The modern political career path usually goes something like this; leave Uni, get job as an “advisor” in an office of a parliamentarian of the party that you think offers you the best chance of progressing your political career (principles have no place here…it’s all about you) hang around long enough, get preselected for a winnable seat…(non winnable seats are for the chumps), make sure you do not pick up any real life experience along the way (productive work, family etc) it might make you think all wrong and certainly make you completely unsuitable for the life of as a modern politician. These types of people as advisors to and as politicians are the reason there is no leadership, no ideas, and why everything is so poorly executed. Advice from these types is why our PM was bluffed into supporting the Greens and abandoning her undertaking of no carbon tax. A principled and well advised person would have done what they said they’d do. After all what else were the Greens going to do, vote with Abbott? Hmm come to think of it maybe they would have. As my Dad would often say, “don’t vote it only encourages them”.
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ellenni July 16, 2012
ah yes the moral high ground taken by the greens is why they are always going to be out in the cold. this honeymoon with the labour party will end and for a very long time. too bad i thought they would try and do some good but we had this mealy mouthed holier than thou bob brown who didnt much except row his own boat. this country is made of many people who should be thinking about voting for the party and not the person. i dont care for either abbot or juliar. i will vote for the party which benefits this country and its progress. we need to ensure australia stays a lucky country.
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lisad[ July 16, 2012
I’m very well informed of the Greens’ policies and, while not agreeing with all, still vote for them.
For you to imply that I do it in ignorance of their policies in all aspects is just rude and wholly incorrect.
It’s well known that a large pool of Greens voters are academics. Academics who have closer access to original peer-reviewed studies on all kinds of issues; academics are paid to think carefully and thoroughly about things rather than instinctively.
Far from being the populist party, I’d say the Greens are the thinking person’s party.
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Jack July 16, 2012
I have never voted green and never will but have familiarized myself with their policies. Know your enemy… This party is full of people who could best be described as limoseine left, inner city dwelling idealistic and talkers rather than doers. I can understand why the union movement wants Labor to distance itself from this mob. The greens are quite happy to trash mining, manufacturing and agriculture. All Australians who have a job particularly in the above industries would do well to place the greens last on any ballot sheet. Many greens politicians have never had a real job but are willing to take yours!!!
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Helen July 18, 2012
If the the Labor* Party disappoints you, join and change it. As someone who has spent thousands of hours over the years in meetings and campaigning I resent people who have contributed nothing criticizing.
Doone, I just read a letter to the editor by a Labor member who is trying to do just that at the grassroots, frustrated because Federal Labor is going against its OWN deliberation – to process asylum seekers onshore. Who would want to waste their life in meetings struggling to get intelligent policy implemented just to have things taken over by the Right, yet again?
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James Edwards July 23, 2012
Oh my what a strange article. So she would like to see the Greens support a policy that goes against their supporter base. “Take a hit”. Ummm that’s why the ALP is in this mess. They have let people down so much they don’t trust the party to stick to its policies. Electricity privatization in NSW and privatization in QLD???
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De July 23, 2012
It’s not The Greens that are ‘gutless’ I remember sitting next to Sandra Nori at a lunch when she turned to my then twelve year old daughter and enquired as to what high school she was going to attend the next year. My daughter replied ‘the one you’re trying to close and my mother is fighting to save.’ Ms Nori’s response – she immediately rose from her chair and left the table.
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John Newton July 24, 2012
The Greens are gutless eh Sandra, don’t see much proof. But I have seen proof you’re your party’s filth. Here’s a story. And the poster in question still exists.
I worked on Greens candidate Jamie Parker’s campaign to win Ms Nori’s seat in 2003. This was the year that a Sydney Sunday tabloid ran a story alleging that it was the Greens’ policy to hand out free ecstasy tablets. A couple of nights before election day, I was with a fellow member hanging Greens posters on Glebe Point Road when we came upon a young woman hanging posters which read ‘Jamie Parker is a drug dealer’ , and which were ‘authorised by the Pakistani cricket team.’ We chased the young woman to a utility, she jumped in and it drove off.
I recognised the driver of that ute the next day at the polling booth at St Scholasticas school. He was handing out for Labor. I’m sure Ms Nori knew nothing of this. Nor did she or her poisonous win at all costs party have anything to do with the story on the front of the Sunday Terror
