2016-08-18
Senator Rachel Siewert
After a month of dangling on tenter hooks both Scott and I are thrilled to be returned to the Senate. Over the next few years, we look forward to working on the issues that matter to the community particularly Inequality, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues, Housing, Communications and Social Justice.
This election showed our GreensWA team at its best: volunteer mobilisation, the number of people out doorknocking, on the phones, at booths and events was outstanding. I would like to thank each and every one of you who committed so much to our campaign.
This campaign was energetic and creative; here are just some of the events our team pulled together as part our outreach efforts.
WA 2.0
We were lucky enough to have Richard Di Natale in town to present our vision for Western Australia if we invested in things that matter. Venturing from public transport solutions, to reconciliation for our First Peoples, to addressing inequality, it was wonderful to speak to hundreds of people at His Majesty's Theatre.
Home Open – an evening of Green
We collaborated with The Cutting Room Floor to deliver Greens policy through six short plays. Myself, Viv Glance and Tim Clifford all took part in the pieces that ranged from topics of climate change and Centrelink. The best part about it? It took place in someone's home! Read our review here!
LGBTI community panel
We were joined by host Graeme Watson, Out in Perth editor, and MC Veronica Jean Jones for a community panel on issues that matter to the LGBTI community. Those curious about Greens policy on LGBTI issues were able to speak to me, Scott Ludlam and Lynn MacLaren. We talked about issues such as HIV prevention, safe schools, and marriage equality.
Greens Block Party
We pulled together a big party at the Rosemount Hotel with numerous bands and DJs including Doctopus, HAMJAM, Pool Boy, Ben Taafe, Rok Riley and Wiley Slade. Over 700 people turned up to the event that welcomed volunteers and encouraged young people to spread the Greens message in a fun way!
A Better Way – how refugees enrich communities
This was a wonderful night at the WA State Library that celebrated local refugees and their stories. Australia is at its best when it embraces the skills and cultural enrichment that refugees bring to our way of life. We were joined by Greens immigration spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who gave a startling insight into Australian detention camps. We also heard from members of WA's refugee community, Professor Samina Yasmeen, Professor of Political Science and Immigration at the University of WA and Rosemary Sawyer, Author of "More to the Story: Conversations with Refugees".
A huge thank you to all those who helped out throughout this campaign and beyond.
The debrief from this federal campaign will inform our state campaign (see report in this GI by Chilla Bulbeck). I kept saying during the campaign that after this one we will have a short break and then onto the State campaign, so now let's go folks!
Photos: Header - Richard Di Natale introducing WA 2.0 at His Majesty's Theatre on 2nd June Jacqueline Jane; Crowd at Home Open Shaun Pickett; Graeme Watson asking Scott, Lynn and Rachel questions Jacqueline Jane; Greens Block Party performance Jacqueline Jane; Refugee panel Jacqueline Jane