2015-07-20
Grahame Bowland (WA Co-Convenor)
The last couple of months have seen great strides as The Greens (WA) gear up for coming election campaigns.
We've been particularly active in Western Australia's Kimberley region.
Around 150 people came to a screening in Broome of Citizenfour, the Academy Award-winning film which documents the revelations by Edward Snowden of pervasive global surveillance.
On the following day, a community forum was held, with sixty people attending — some came from as far away as Kununurra, a cool 1000 kilometres by road. Robin Chapple MLC, member for Mining and Pastoral, attended along with WA senators Scott Ludlam and Rachel Siewert. I attended on behalf of the party as Greens (WA) co-convenor.
The forum saw vigorous discussion of the many pressing issues for people in the Kimberley, with a focus on the forced closures of Aboriginal communities, and the fight against fracking. With so many inveterate campaigners attending, many of whom played key roles in the campaign to protect James Price Point, it was clear that anyone wishing to mess with the Kimberley should think again.
The forum ended with a wonderful outcome, the formation of a new West Kimberley local group of The Greens (WA). With the 2013 campaign for the state seat of the Kimberley having come so close to victory, I'm sure all Greens will join in our excitement, and wish the new group well!
The celebration of Senator Rachel Siewert's 10 years of the senate, at Perth Town Hall, was a highlight for June. The crowd itself was a testimony to Rachel's incredible achievements as an activist for the environment and for social justice — and we left with a purpose, to campaign for Rachel's re-election so she can continue her vital work.
The South Coast Greens organised two cryptoparties this July, in Albany and Denmark. Several attendees were activists working to protect the South-West's forest, concerned about the impact of mandatory data retention on their ability to campaign; others were folks concerned about the impact of data retention upon their privacy. Cryptoparties are planned for Broome and Bunbury in coming months — watch out on Twitter and Facebook for the details.
In June the United States Supreme Court gave us all a moment to remember, legalising equal marriage across the United States. Following this, somewhere between five and nine thousand West Australians crowded Russell Place in Australia's biggest marriage equality rally this year. We can all hope the parliament will catch up with ordinary Australians, and legislate for marriage equality — something Greens members of parliament have worked tirelessly to achieve.
Just a week later WA was visited by Senator Janet Rice. Janet caught up with Perth LGBTIQ activists and supporters at an evening event, joining with Greens (WA) co-convenor Giz Watson in enthusing that we've reached the tipping point for marriage equality in Australia. Our thanks to Janet for making the time to come over to Western Australia!