2016-06-06
Michelle Sheather and Rosanne Bersten
During May, 22 delegates from Green parties across Asia Pacific spent 10 days in Sydney and NE NSW, learning from the Australian and NSW Greens' 30 years of experience. Greens members from India, Indonesia, Japan, Lebanon, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Taiwan, and the Solomon Islands, were joined by representatives from the Australian Greens and NSW Greens.
The 12 men and 10 women from 11 countries discussed how we develop policies, plan election campaigns, the common issues we address through our campaigning, and building organisational capacity. Greens across Asia Pacific each face different challenges and have a wide range of experiences unique to the political system of their nation.
Our work on women's issues in parliament, the strength of the Young Greens, and our work with Indigenous Australians all provided lessons for the delegates.
Finding inspiration at Protestors Falls
Byron Bay was inspirational for all delegates, meeting with Greens veterans such as Jan Barham MLC who highlighted practical challenges for sea level rise. These concerns are shared by many delegates from countries such as the Solomon Islands, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Delegates also heard from Ian Cohen, the NSW Greens first MP, about the challenges facing a solo MP from a party (after all, for most Greens parties, one MP on their own is how they will start.) They were also interested to hear from candidate for the seat of Richmond, Dawn Walker, about her experience narrowly missing out on the seat last election and the need to pick yourself up and get back on the campaign trail the next day to build the kind of grassroots support her campaign is enjoying today. An afternoon was spent at Terania Creek, now part of Nightcap National Park. The aptly named Protestors Falls was the site of Australia's first successful anti-logging protest in 1979. Highlighting areas that can be preserved when people stand up for what they believe in rejuvenated the delegates on many levels. The Asia Pacific delegates referred to the area as one of our homelands.
The delegates also spent a day in NSW Parliament House with MPs Mehreen Faruqi, David Shoebridge and Jamie Parker. This beautiful building was another inspiring highlight. A visit to the Grayndler office saw the delegates offer their support for our work in the lead up to the July 2 election campaign in this hotly contested seat.
Coming together to build global solutions
Senator Lee Rhiannon hosted a reception for the delegates at her Sydney office on May 18. As the Australian Greens' International Aid and Development spokesperson, Senator Rhiannon drew attention to federal government cuts. The 2016 Federal Budget in May saw $224m cut from our overseas aid budget, driving it down to a historic low of 0.22 per cent of Gross National Income. We talked of the need to rebuild our aid program, and help countries in the Asia-Pacific region cope with the impacts of climate change.
“I consider this tour as an important opportunity for emerging parties across the region. It empowers our new parties and encourages us to be both active and visible across our region,” said Liaquat Ali Shaikh, President of the Pakistan Green Party and co-convenor of the Asia Pacific Greens Federation.
"The federation came away from the tour more united and determined than when we set out.”
Global connections inspire
NSW MP Jenny Leong was energised and inspired by her visit from the delegates. The tour visit was a reminder of local connections to a global movement.
"After spending years as a global campaigner with Amnesty International, it's been a pretty radical shift to be focused on an electorate that is less than 11 square kilometres in size. Thankfully, I'm part of a party that has a global reach, so I can get my fix of connecting with inspiring activists and campaigners from around the world in my local 'hood," Ms Leong said.
"It was a pleasure to welcome and have the opportunity to meet delegates from Greens parties at the recent Asia-Pacific Study Tour – we chatted about my election to the state seat of Newtown, the long history of Greens representation in the area, linking election campaigns to broader issues and managing expectations of supporters and activists."
Ms Leong said her only disappointment was that she couldn't stay to chat longer, and find out more about the activities of these delegates in their home countries. "Thankfully, being part of a global party we will no doubt have the opportunity to connect again," Ms Leong said.
Growing the Federation
The second annual Asia Pacific Greens Federation (APGF) Council meeting was also held in Sydney 25-26 May. Discussions were wide ranging, covering challenges faced by Federation countries. The growth of the Federation is key to providing support for the emerging parties in our neighbouring region. Countries represented were Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Lebanon, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Taiwan. The APGF will next meet following the Global Greens Congress in Liverpool, UK in March 2017.