Our Vision

The philosophy of The Greens upholds a vision of reality based on love of life, respect for nature, its life forms and natural processes, and awareness of the interdependent nature of the world.

All things are connected to the web of life. We recognise that we are part of nature - not above it - and our lifestyles and the continuation of life itself depends on our wise interaction with the biosphere. Our political and economic decisions must be made with this mind.

The policies of the Greens are guided by a long-term view of the global future and are founded on the principles as expressed in our Charter. 

- Drew Hutton, Co-founder of the Queensland and Australian Greens.

Our History

The Queensland Greens were founded on 22 September 1991. Locally-based and independent of corporate interests, we are affiliated with the Australian Greens and part of a worldwide network of Greens parties. Our four guiding principles are:

• non-violence
• social justice
• grass-roots democracy
• ecological sustainability.

We believe these qualities are essential for human survival and well-being.

Join us in developing the politics of a healthy future - to become part of the Greens' effort to work for a society that is just, democratic and environmentally sustainable.

Constitution

The Constitution is the governing document of the Queensland Greens. It holds precedence in all matters except if it were to conflict with the Australian Greens Constitution. Together the Charter, bylaws and Constitution set out the the principles and philosophy of the Queensland Greens. This version of the Constitution and bylaws is current as of August 4th, 2024. 

• Queensland Greens Constitution in full: QG Constitution and Bylaws.pdf

Code of Ethics

Our Code of Ethics is included in the Constitution and outlines our expectations for how members and volunteers will conduct themselves. It forms part of the Queensland Greens Constitution and Bylaws document. In the case of any discrepancy between this copy of the Queensland Greens Code of Ethics and the Queensland Greens Constitution and Bylaws, the Queensland Greens Constitution and Bylaws will take precedence.

Read the Code of Ethics

Commitment to common goals and beliefs

We, the members of the Queensland Greens commit to support the Queensland Greens, to uphold our Constitution, policies, and four fundamental principles:

• ecological sustainability
• social and economic justice
• grassroots democracy
• peace, non-violence, and disarmament

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. Sovereignty was never ceded. We pay respect to Elders past and present.

Empowered and authorised

Unless authorised, we will not use the name of the Queensland Greens for publicity, negotiations with any external person or body, or to acquire goods and services.

Tolerant and accepting of differences

We will not demean any person or group on the basis of ethnicity, nationality, race, gender, sexual preference, religion, age, or physical or mental disability.

Safe, polite and friendly

When involved in activities on behalf of the Queensland Greens, we will:

• avoid prejudice and profane language, 
• not engage in conduct which is violent, threatening, disrespectful or manipulative, 
• not engage in behaviours such as sexual harassment, sexual assault or bullying. 

On becoming aware of alleged sexual harassment, sexual assault or bullying by a member, representative or volunteer of the Queensland Greens engaged in party activities we will report it to the party officers responsible for these matters according to Greens procedures.

Trustworthy

We will ensure that any confidential information we may gain as members of the Queensland Greens remains confidential.

Truthfulness and sincerity

At all times, we will speak truthfully, to the best of our knowledge, and will strive to provide our best endeavours to tasks we undertake on behalf of  the Queensland Greens to maximise the benefit of our involvement to all concerned.

Constructive feedback

We will not publicly criticise the Queensland Greens, its office-bearers, candidates, spokespeople, staff, or parliamentary representatives and their staff, but to direct any criticism through the appropriate internal mechanisms. We will use the conflict resolution procedures established by the Queensland Greens in order to resolve disputes.

Respect for party processes

We undertake to comply in good faith with the Queensland Greens Constitution and By-Laws. If involved in a complaints process, we will comply with any directions of the party body overseeing that process, keep information regarding complaints confidential and refrain from recriminating against complainants.

Charter 

We live at a crucial time in history. Never before have we had so many answers to the problems that have dogged our developing world. Solutions now exist that could greatly decrease the poverty, hunger and ill-health of our fellow humans and we now have technologies to reduce and repair much of the ecological damage to our planet.

Clean air, clean water and ecological sustainability are possible. Yet this is not being achieved. Worldwide, governments lack the political will to make the necessary adjustments that will bring an end to the conflict, pollution, poor health and social inequity that characterise our time.

The Greens have evolved in this climate to show a new way forward. A Green response to the ecological crisis proceeds on the basis of a respect for all life, both human and non-human. We recognise the mutual interdependence between humanity and the rest of nature and we seek to move toward an ecologically sustainable path.

Read the Charter

Beliefs and aims

We seek to eradicate poverty, oppression and discrimination and to build a society underpinned by values of participatory democracy, social justice, and the respect for cultural and ecological diversity. We aim to transform the political, social and economic structures that disempower and oppress people and to develop a rich, participatory cultural life that enables the flourishing of new democratic movements for progressive change.

We believe that contesting elections is a necessary step toward the building of an ecologically sustainable and socially just society, but that it is by no means the only step.

We seek to encourage and facilitate grassroots movements and community initiatives that are working towards ecological responsibility, social justice, affirmative action and global equity. We seek to avoid parochialism and to cultivate a global, ecological consciousness and a long-term perspective in order to safeguard the interests of both existing and future generations and nonhuman species. We believe Australia should play an active role in building a more co-operative world that is capable of addressing the glaring disparities in energy and resource consumption and quality of life between rich and poor.

We aim to extend recognition and assistance to progressive social movements in other countries and to international institutions that are working toward these ends.

Reflecting an awareness of the interrelatedness of all ecological, social and economic processes the general principles of The Greens are:

Ecology

1. To ensure that human activity respects the integrity of ecosystems and does not impair biodiversity and ecological resilience of life-supporting systems.
2. To encourage the development of a consciousness that respects the value of all life.

Democracy

1. To increase opportunities for public participation in political, social and economic decision making.
2. To break down inequalities of wealth and power which inhibit participatory democracy.

Social justice

1. To eradicate poverty by developing initiatives that address the causes as well as the symptoms of poverty.
2. To provide affirmative action to eliminate discrimination based on gender, age, race, ethnicity, class, religion, disability, sexuality, or membership of a minority group.
3. To introduce measures that redress the imbalance of wealth between rich and poor.

Peace

1. To adopt and promote the nonviolent resolution of conflict.
2. To develop an independent, nonaligned foreign policy and a non-nuclear, defensive, self-reliant defence policy.

An ecologically sustainable economy

1. To develop economic policies that will ensure greater resource and energy efficiency and development and use of environmentally sustainable technologies.
2. To reduce dependence on non-renewable resources and ensure sustainable use of renewable resources.
3. To adopt more comprehensive social, environmental and technology assessment practices.
4. To facilitate socially and ecologically responsible investment.

Meaningful work

1. To encourage, develop and assist work that is safe, fairly paid, socially useful, personally fulfilling and not harmful to the environment.
2. To encourage and facilitate more flexible work arrangements (such as job sharing, part-time work, self-employment), on-going education, training and social welfare (including child-care) so that more people can engage in meaningful work.

Culture

1. To respect and protect ethnic, religious, racial diversity.
2. To recognise the cultural requirements of the original Australians and to assist in ensuring the achievement of Aboriginal land rights and self- determination.

Information

1. To facilitate a free flow of information between citizens and all tiers of government.
2. To ensure that Australians have the benefit of a locally responsible, diverse, democratically controlled and independent mass media.

Global responsibility

To promote equity between nations and peoples by:

1. facilitating fair trading relationships.
2. providing for increased development assistance and concerted international action to abolish Third World Debt.
3. providing increased green technology transfer and skills to developing countries.
4. opposing human rights abuses and political oppression.
5. ensuring that Australia plays an active role in promoting peace and ecological sustainability.

Long-term future focus

1. To avoid action which might risk long-term or irreversible damage to the environment.
2. To safeguard the planet's ecological resources and values on behalf of future generations.