Policy Snapshots for the 2007 Federal Election

Greens Policy Snapshots for the 2007 Federal Election

An introduction from Bob Brown

Dear Friends

Voting Green in both houses of parliament in 2007 is a clear, positive vote for a fairer, more environmentally sensible Australia.

Most importantly, it is a vote to end the Howard dominance of the Senate.

This election, your vote in the Senate is more important than ever. The only way to guarantee a progressive and independent Senate is to vote Green.

And regardless of whether we get a Rudd government or a Howard government, it is statistically impossible for Labor to win a majority in the Senate.

Without the Greens holding the balance of power in the Senate we will be unable to repeal unfair workplace laws or take real action on climate change.

The Greens’ policies are based on fairness in society. We want a big boost to public health (by re-allocating the $3 billion which now goes into the private health insurance rebate every year) and to public education (an increase of $7 billion per annum would place Australia in the middle ranks of OECD education spending).

The Greens’ policies will create environmental excellence. We back clean, cheap energy efficiency, protecting the nation’s forest and woodlands heritage and making Australia a world leader in renewable energy. Labor and Liberal back more coal mines, uranium exports and logging of native forests.

Only the Greens oppose the $10 billion for more tax cuts for the richest 10% of Australians in this year’s budget. We would use that money for all Australians - such as tackling climate change, ensuring fairer workplaces and moving towards a national dental care program.

This booklet is a snapshot of the Greens policies. You can see more at www.greens.org.au At this election assert yourself for a brighter Australian future by voting Green.

Warm wishes,
Bob Brown

Where the parties stand in June 2007

Policy Checklist	Greens	Liberals/ Nationals	Labor
Keep Australia free of nuclear power and oppose uranium exports
No new coal mines or expansion of existing mines
Cut emissions by 30% below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050
Abolish individual workplace agreements (AWAs)			?
Universal access to unfair dismissal laws
Save all high conservation value forests from logging and burning
Re-allocate $3bn private health insurance rebate into the public health system
Provide public dental care for all low income Australians
Prioritise public education with appropriate funding
Remove HECS from university education
Harm minimisation approach to drug users
End all subsidies for the mining industry
Bridge the life expectancy gap for Indigenous Australians within a generation
Bring Australian troops home from Iraq

How will the Greens fund these initiatives?

In the last two budgets the Howard government has announced tax cuts that cost more than $65 billion. The government also spends more than $10 billion per year on subsidies to industries that harm the environment. The Greens have different priorities. If Australia can afford $65 billion in tax cuts then it can afford excellent health and education.

Senators Christine Milne (Tas), Kerry Nettle (NSW), Bob Brown, Rachel Siewert (WA).