2016-09-01
Susan Griffiths-Sussems
Thank you to everyone who responded to our survey — we had responses from every state, with 486 coming from overseas.
What you told us
8,323 of you told us where you live, with 109 preferring to keep it a secret:
Interesting fact #1: The biggest number of overseas respondents came from the UK with 68 surveys. We had one each from (among others) Argentina, Barbados, Botswana, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Isle of Man, Luxembourg, Malta, Nepal, Peru, Rwanda, Timor-Leste and Ukraine! One of our favorite comments is from Deborah in Ireland: “From the other side of the world the suspense was (is) acute. And especially seen from Europe, which seems to be full of hatred and fear, the Australian Greens give hope for the future..”
2,503 (29.83 per cent) of our respondents are members, and 4,273 (51.33 per cent) donated to the Party during the campaign.Your most important policy areas
It was pretty close between action on global warming and protecting our environment.
And now, from each of our key policy areas, your top three priorities from each. In each of these charts, respondents were asked to rank the election initiatives, so the dark green represents the number who ranked that item #1, the lighter green those who ranked it #2 and so on.
Action on global warming
International humanitarian work
Strengthening our democracy
Building a more compassionate and equal Australia
Protecting our environment
Transitioning our economy
Volunteering
It was our biggest campaign ever, and 6,823 (76 per cent) of you were part of our 16,543-strong volunteer force on the campaign. Here's a breakdown of what you did, noting that some of you did more than one thing to help out:
All together, you reported volunteering a total of 106,938 hours of your time — give or take a few. That's roughly 16 hours per volunteer, and that's AMAZING. Thank you so much!
Some of our favourite pictures and stories
I have never really aspired to being a politician, but I cant just retire and leave the climate change issue entirely to our children and grandchildren to have to solve, especially when it's my generation who are mostly to blame. Taking on the candidate role was tough but rewarding. I have met a lot of very interesting and passionate people and learned a lot about politics. Tom Hunt, Candidate for Whitlam, NSW
Best use for old corflutes we've ever seen: Harry and Andy Hook play cards with giant Jason Ball playing cards.
I did my civil service of being a informed voter, and trying to reach as many other people to vote for the party that benefits us all the most. Even though the results are never as high as I hope, I am satisfied I have done the best thing for me, my friends and family and my country. John Photakis, Campaign Manager for Jane Bange in Boothby SA
Local bird wearing a Vote 1 Alex Bhathal badge submitted by Allyson Griffith.
I've been helping on various election days for Greens for years. As time goes on our vote slowly inches upwards but the public response has improved dramatically. Di Natale and Bandt give us credibility. As a result I've personally noticed less abuse, scoffing, ridicule etc from the public as they walk past to vote. In a six-hour shift, had only three very minor incidents of trash talk from public. Would have had double that in the past. I hand out in blue ribbon Liberal Brighton. Michalea Newell, VIC
Dominic Wy Kanak and Dejay Toborek with Aboriginal Rights mural
I was inspired to see the energy of youth and the broad support of the Greens... Had a lovely time with ALP on the polling day handing out. Wendy Dawson, VIC
Scrutineering was fascinating in Kelly O'Dwyer's backyard! There were numerous Liberal voters who went against the voting cards by putting Jason Ball for the Greens as second choice. Next time round I plan to be more involved from an earlier stage… a great group of people to work with. Krishna Fleming, VIC
Dylan Lloyd and Patrick Dollard
I have never felt more empowered or hopeful for the future than working directly alongside a candidate who was standing up for big ideas and immersing herself in the community. The best moment was when she was at a public lecture, with a key speaker saying that politicians weren't listening, then she proceeded to ask the next question. I really believe in what we're doing now, and it was at that moment I realised the campaign was worthwhile even though we had no chance of winning. Daniel Louden, ACT
Emily Webster submitted this gorgeous image — babies are always vote winners
We were out in the outer southern Brisbane suburbs cold-door knocking for corflute sites. We had one house on a busy road and made a few trips past a second house whose occupants were enjoying some brewed refreshments. This second household said they would be happy to host a sign too. After voting I went collecting signs — at this house, there was just the broken stake. I left my usual "Christmas" card thank you. Later that day a woman who lived at the house rang me very apologetic about the lost sign. After I reassured her that it was fine and that we really appreciated her hosting the sign in the first place, she suggested alternate ways of fixing the sign in her yard… for the next election. Gordon King, QLD
Michelle Le Plastrier went all the way and dyed her hair green…
When I was at prepolling handing out HTVs, a young woman approached me and enquired about Greens healthcare policies. I didn't feel I knew enough to answer satisfactorily, so I offered her the healthcare page from the "Election 2016: What the Greens will do for Australia" pamphlet. She stood there, read it, then traded the pamphlet for a Greens HTV with a smile (and didn't bring any others in!). It was really great to see someone so readily accept general Green policies once informed about them, and I guess it was a sign that I need to remember them in more detail. Christopher Oksiuta, QLD
Handing out How-to-Vote cards for Jason Ball
It was wonderful to see how many young volunteers were energised in Brisbane. Handing out HTVs at pre-poll was very worthwhile — we are getting better at this. On very busy days, it was a wonderful way of engaging in a friendly manner with voters lined up in long queues. Very proud of the increase in Greens vote in QLD. Thanks to the wonderful staff and volunteers in the QLD office! Philip Alford, QLD
Well I was call a leprechaun and frog (I was dressed all in green) and I was amused when one of the Liberal campaigners on the booth, who were a father and son, said, "Don't tell my Dad but I vote Green". Steph Hayward, WA
While I was removing Olivia Ball bunting from a school cyclone fence at St Albans South Primary school, VicPol received credible reports of a man acting suspiciously, appearing to be vandalising the school's fence. In truth I was just removing Greens', Labor's and coalition's untidy cable ties from the fence using wire-cutters. After surrendering my ID to two cops in a patrol car, I managed to convince them that I was responsibly undertaking legitimate Greens party post-election activities. ;-) Micheal Gunter, VIC
Greens stall image supplied by Cath Connor
Greens better received by the general public this year than ever before. Doubled our vote in Farrer, vote around 20 per cent in Albury city and suburbs. Labor party a failure in country seats. Farmers starting to desert the Nationals in rural areas. Albert Lightfoot, NSW
Most people I spoke to were receptive to talking about issues, and learning of the Greens policy positions. I think that this needs to become a continuous effort, not just a burst at election time. Robert Humphries, WA
By the numbers
A campaign is an effort by a huge cast, as you can see above. We've put together the totals for the campaign — and as you can see, they're impressive!
Next steps
This survey was our first step. Now we're ready for the next phase to help shape our future.
Next year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Australian Greens — a ripe opportunity to reflect on how far we have come and decide where we want to go from here. Over the next nine months, the Australian Greens will carry out a broad-ranging strategic planning process to envision the change we want to see in our communities and the world, and how we can best position ourselves to make our vision a reality.
We'll be reaching out across the country to consult as widely as we can, from workshops and focus groups to a survey of every member and supporter. So please get your thinking caps ready for having your say on the Greens of the future. Watch this space and your inbox for details!