2016-05-15
Michael Baldock
More than two years have passed since the Busselton Dunsborough Greens held its first meeting. 2013 was a low point. In March at the State election the momentum towards the conservatives was at its peak. Federally Abbott was dominant with the ALP leadership in disarray, Barnett was a mile ahead in the opinion polls and in Busselton, local member Troy Buswell was in control and the state election confirmed the Liberal partys dominance of this area, winning over 57% of the primary vote. The election of Tony Abbott as Prime Minister in September of that year was the icing on their cake.
In two years much has changed. While Troy Buswells departure has dented the sense of invincibility, the born to rule set has always had here, there is a deeper shift that is occurring. There is a push back against the greed-is-good mindset. The Liberals anti-environment, anti-climate action, anti-compassion, all spin and no substance mantra was never going to last the distance and the cracks are starting to emerge.
The Vasse By-election at the end of 2014 gave a sense that the mood was changing with the Greens polling 18% and the Liberals relying on preferences to hold the seat. At the recent City of Busselton council elections, the status quo was challenged with new councillors elected pushing more progressive views. Cr Ross Paine has exposed the regressive attitudes of some with a motion calling for an Acknowledgement of Country, a debate that continues and most importantly is drawing in new and younger people into questioning the governance of our community.
In response to growing concern about climate change the Naturaliste Renewable Energy Group has emerged and will this month launch a community bulk buy PV purchase programme. The group is capturing community interest in renewables and looking to convert it into on-ground action. The same awareness has also seen anti-fracking Facebook groups spring up across the South West in response to the industrys push into the area.
The challenge for the Busselton Dunsborough Greens is to capture that energy. We are seeing a new generation wanting progressive change and searching for ways to be effective. Facebook activism remains the dominant conduit but its effectiveness is limited. Ultimately, change happens by getting activists elected. An important role of the Busselton Dunsborough Greens is to assist people in understanding the political process and providing the opportunity to get involved.
The Vasse by-election gave us a taste of what an effective campaign looks and feels like. The key is passionate people with the skills to fill the campaign team roles. That election was a one off where we drew on Greens from across the state. At the coming elections we will need to draw on our own members and supporters and we will have to build our own capacity locally to repeat the 2014 campaign. That is our longer term goal which means not only more members but assisting and training members.
The Busselton Dunsborough Greens has achieved its first goal of establishing a local presence for The Greens. We meet on the first Thursday of the Month at 7pm alternating between the Busselton Family Centre on Duke Street and in Dunsborough at the Naturaliste Community Centre. The next step is to build the capacity to do more.
Photo: Busselton Dunsborough Greens taking an electric car for a ride during a sundowner with Rachel Siewert. From left to right, Lindsay Cohen, Christian Fletcher, Michael Baldock and standing behind, Tony Sharp, Chris Twomey, Rachel Siewert and Michael Cassanet. Michael Baldock