2016-05-22
Giz Watson and Penny Allman-Payne
We are a couple of weeks into the biggest and longest-running Federal election the Australian Greens have ever contested. With a double dissolution of the Parliament we will be seeking to re-elect all of our ten Senators, retain Adam in Melbourne and hopefully gain more seats too. It's a huge challenge but we know we're up to it. We are more prepared, more skilled up, better informed, more energised and in greater numbers!
The co-convenors have the task of keeping a broad overview of the health and progress of the party. We have played a major role in strengthening the operation of the party at a national level. This has involved the biggest consultation and review of our operations and governance ever undertaken — leading to a substantially changed constitution (proudly passed by consensus of all Greens members) in November 2014. Since then we have facilitated the establishment and operation of the National Council, the body that administers the party; directs our election campaigns and strategic planning; ensures we meet financial and legal obligations; and communicates closely and regularly with our Federal MPs.
National Council is providing a new level of professional management and responsiveness to the rapidly changing political challenges. At the same time National Council respects and values the diverse perspectives and input from the State and Territory parties that make up our Federated Australian Greens party. This is one of our challenges — how to maintain a vibrant grassroots party that continues to maximise participation and decision-making for all our members and at the same time is able to make decisions in a timely way.
The State Members and MPs appointed to National Council are the vital links in this challenge. A lot is asked of your State Members and MP reps to ensure they're well prepared and informed; that they bring a commitment and skills to develop consensus decisions; that they are highly focused and energised; that they communicate well between National Council and the members in their States and fellow MPs; and that they can 'think nationally'. We can report that National Council is functioning well in an atmosphere of co-operation and good humour!
What are the opportunities and challenges we continue to face?
One is to maintain genuine, passionate and respectful debate both in the public realm and between members and member groups. The challenge to do this often arises in the social media space where: views can be shared with speed and ease; hastily typed frustrations can flare up; and language can be, at the very least, ill-considered and sometimes offensive! This is not an issue confined to the Greens, of course, but it's worth reminding ourselves that one of the principles that sets us apart from most other political movements is that we are committed to nonviolence — which includes treating ones' opponents with respect and seeking to resolve conflict amicably.
It may not be well known that attempting to resolve differences that arise and conflicts between individuals is a lot of the behind-the-scenes work that falls to the co-convenors. At the same time we are working to ensure that there are clear, fair and effective processes for dispute and conflict resolution operating at all levels of the party. All members are also encouraged to brush up on their conflict resolution skills and safe meeting procedures!
Another challenge is to maintain strong links and good communication between our MPs and the party, both via the formal channel of National Council and more broadly. The old parties clearly have a disconnect between their members and their MPs. How do we ensure, particularly as our membership and number of MPs grow, that we maintain our strong connection to our MPs? Have we got the right mechanisms to facilitate those connections? What can we do better?
A further challenge is ensuring that the work of our national staff is understood and valued. And that we are working to refine and improve the operation of the national team to service all of our members. The strategic plan that is currently being scoped will be a critical tool in this process and members are strongly encouraged to participate in this strategic planning. Let's think about what we need from our national team. What is best done in each State and what nationally? This new strategic plan will help better inform our national budget and we expect it will underpin a stronger commitment to the national budget.
Finally, thanks to the great team that makes up the Australian Greens! Co-convenors (who profess to a 'shared brain'); an excellent Secretary in Alex Schlotzer (who is thorough and totally dependable); to all our deputies; to National Manager Brett Constable (who continues to cover a ridiculous number of bases with dedication and patience) and the staff team; to our MPs (who continue to do us proud in often challenging and under acknowledged ways); to all our State office bearers; to our members and supporters (who as we speak are out there making the phone calls, knocking on doors, handing out leaflets and being the face of the Greens in this election campaign). We all have a vital job to do to stop planetary meltdown and bring about a just and peaceful world — it's never been more important.