10 TOP FACTS ABOUT CHRISTINE MILNE
She was a country kid who can catch rabbits, loves a passionfruit sponge and has nerves of steel. Ten things you may not have known about the new Greens leader Christine Milne.
The old and the new… Christine Milne with former Greens leader Bob Brown.
Senator Christine Anne Milne was born on May 14, 1953 in Latrobe, Tasmania. She has two sons – Thomas and James – with Neville Milne.
She was elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly in 1989 in the seat of Lyons, and to the Senate in 2004.
1. She was a country kid.
A fifth-generation Tasmanian and daughter of Tom and June Morris, small-scale dairy farmers in the picturesque Wesley Vale district. As for the charge that the Greens are urban latte drinkers?
“It confounds me when people say, ‘What have the Greens got to do with rural Australia?’. Primary industry is all about sustainability issues. Biosecurity, quarantine, trade: all of those things are part of the Greens’ agenda.”
2. She can catch rabbits.
When she was a girl, she and her sister liked to go rabbiting. She knows one end of a draught horse from the other and is a fair hand at milking cows.
3. She attended a convent boarding school.
At the age of 10, Christine was sent to St. Mary’s in Hobart. Her sister did not survive the strict regime there and returned home, but she stayed. This gave her a good understanding of how institutions work and how to negotiate the “in” and “out” groups.
“You see that bullies eventually get their comeuppance and negotiated outcomes have to work for everyone or the system slides into greater and greater stress.”
4. She’s been to jail.
It was when she was in her late 20s studying for an honours degree in Australian history at the University of Tasmania that she joined the Franklin River blockade. She was arrested and jailed for three days.
“I thought, if that’s the worst they can do to you in Tasmania, then I’m up for it. From that time on there was no looking back for me as an activist.”
5. She was a teacher.
Prior to entering politics, Christine taught English, History and Social Science in high schools in Burnie and Devonport.
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20 Responses to this article
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Jenny M April 16, 2012
Just like Bob Brown, Christine Milne has Integrity, and I respect that. I’ve not voted Green but I like what these people bring to politics in Australia.
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Susan April 16, 2012
Bob Brown’s resignation was initially a jolt. But then I realised that the party is always bigger than one person. Christine Milne is also an inspiration as are every single one of the Green’s parliamentary representatives. As a party they have taken at least 17% of Labor’s vote in the last ten years or so. Why- because they are strong-they stick to to their message,each and everyone of them are capable ,thoughtful and caring individuals. God bless Christopher Pine and Warren Truss with their narrow, derogotory throw away lines. The greens are here to stay and Christine Milne is tough and will make a good leader. More reason to join the greens now just to show the Libs that there are people out there that do think beyond the electoral cycle and for the future of my grandchildren. Bob you were fantastic……Christine so will you be.
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Kirsten Benhiam April 16, 2012
Hear hear!
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Rosie April 16, 2012
Susan – I agree with you absolutely. Well written.
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Kirsten Benhiam April 16, 2012
Thank you for this easy to read article on someone who will become very important in the coming months. I’ve voted Greens for years and always find their members to have way more integrity than any other politians. I’m sick of the media cycle, one line wonders and back tracking. Say something and mean it rather than watching every single word for fear of alienating some group. We need leaders who make decisions not celebrities fighting for a sound grab. Good luck Christine!
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liza April 16, 2012
I am so delighted reading all these positive remarks about the Greens. Every time an article appears in the Manly Daily there is a torrent of abuse and CO2 rubbish poured out by the Abbott fans it makes us think that the Northern Beaches are truly self absorbed mean spirited people ……..So thanks everyone !
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dramaqueen75 April 16, 2012
Hi Liza – there are a few of us lefties over here on the beaches
Rest assured, you are not alone. -
Joni April 16, 2012
New leader, same party… watermelons – green on the outside and red on the inside.
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Min April 16, 2012
Good luck Christine. If you survived St.Marys you’ll handle anything.
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liza April 16, 2012
Water melons.Fresh, nutritious . seeds that transform into bold new thinking
Old parties shrivelled no new ideas,looking backwards and likely to fall off the cliffs. Shame about all the animals that never had a choice.-
Joni April 16, 2012
It would be lovely if that was the reality re The Greens.
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Monica April 16, 2012
lovely to hear such enthusiasm about Christine, but suspect with many Hoopla readers it’s a case of preaching to the converted. Still, Christine is the real deal (as was Bob) and I am speaking from personal experience with her.
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me April 16, 2012
I look at the Greens and I think they are the only politicians in Australia (with a few notable exceptions) for whom the term “politician” can be considered an affront to their character.
Good on you Bob for starting what I think is the most important political movement in Australia today.
Good on you Christine for taking up the leadership, I hope the great tradition remains strong.
And yes, I live on the Northern Beaches too- can’t stand Abbot, or my own member, Bronwyn Bishop- I wish we’d vote them both out of parliament already!!! -
JUDY C April 17, 2012
Good luck Christine – show us what a REAL woman leader can do!
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liza April 17, 2012
I am very happy to have Christine Milne as a Greens Leader.I understand that she can appear a little “Teacherish” however time in parliament has probably left her feeling as if she was still in school!
Bob Brown was wonderful to listen to at meetings but when interviewed on Telly his pondering tone often left me thinking that someone needs to wind him up. Christine does that for me.She excites and challenges. Bonza ! -
Lizard April 18, 2012
Christine, you were brilliant on the ABC’s 7:30 last night. You came across as having your hands on the economic wheel, ready to “join the dots” with other Green policies. The most important aspect for me is the integrity and dedication you show. You inspire me and I look forward, with profound interest, to this new chapter in the history of the Australian
Greens. -
Daniel April 19, 2012
I think the Greens are in great hands now.
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Anne April 20, 2012
Very excited about Christine Milne being Greens leader. Something about the way she explains complex policy is electrifying.
Christine more than anyone else shows to the public the achievements of the environment movement-
She shows that Bob Brown is not just an anomaly- a heroic and remarkable individual- (as the media has portrayed him to be).
He was also formed by his socio-historical context- the broader environment movement at the time created an environment where courage makes sense and is encouraged.
That said I think Christine is more electable than Bob. I feel that she speaks my and my family’s language in a resonant way.
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Hells Bells April 21, 2012
‘Mrs Milne’ taught me at Devonport High School in 1976.
Of all the teachers I ever had, she was the one I liked least.
An absolute ‘ball breaker with an annoying tone and dreadful taste in clothes.She still has ‘that’ voice and frightens the heck out of me every time I hear/see her in the Media – and I live in Darwin, obviously still traumatised. Has greatly improved her dress sense and still able to break a few balls.
Go get ‘em Mrs Milne – you have more ‘street cred’ than a lot of other politicians, you’ve worked hard and deserve it!
DHS – oh happy times…
