2022-11-25
Our shared vision – to protect the environment, phase out coal and gas, and activate grassroots democracy – is coming to life in the 47th Parliament.
By Senator Dorinda Cox
I’m proud to sit in the Senate as the first First Nations woman to represent WA in federal Parliament and I have learnt so much in my first year. I have a great appreciation for the support, guidance and mentorship of Rachel Siewert in preparing me for the transition to public life before her retirement last year, and I am grateful for the welcome and ongoing support shown to me by the members of the Australian Greens Party Room and our broader movement including the members of my home state who chose me as their senator.
In addition to my portfolio and community work this year, I’ve chaired the final stages of the inquiry into oil and gas exploration and production in the Beetaloo Basin, delivered the Australian Greens’ budget reply speech in the Senate, and was put forward as an alternative Senate President following the swearing in of the 47th Parliament. Now, I am in training as the Temporary Chair of Committees alongside my colleague Penny Allman-Payne.
Committees and inquiries
While much of my first year as a senator was focused on the election campaign, and visiting regional communities across WA to discuss environmental projects and local concerns, I was determined to action some key priorities before the federal election. That included gaining parliamentary support for an inquiry into murdered and missing First Nations women and children. I successfully established this inquiry in the 46th and 47th Parliaments with the support of senators from all sides of politics.
In addition to being a participating member on the murdered and missing First Nations women and children inquiry, I am also a participating member on the inquiry into the rehabilitation of the Ranger Uranium Mine, and a standing member for the Greens on the Joint Standing Committee on Trade, and the Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth.
Trade
With many free trade agreements under negotiation, I have been pleased to meet with Greens representatives from the EU and prosecute a case for First Nations chapters to be included in Australia’s agreements with its trade partners as is practiced in Canada and New Zealand.
I am looking forward to working on the Trade and Investment Growth Committee’s inquiry into Australia’s transition to becoming a green energy superpower by identifying the opportunities we have to create new industries and replace coal and gas with renewable energy sources.
Resources
There are currently 114 new coal and gas projects and extensions in the pipeline. These projects are destined to destroy the environment, accelerate climate change and trample the rights of First Nations people.
I stand with Traditional Owners fighting to protect their cultural heritage. Recently I was able to support and stand alongside Traditional Owners on Tiwi Island as they took Santos to court over its Barossa offshore gas project. This landmark Federal Court case conducted the first on-country hearings allowing First Nations people to provide evidence through storytelling, song, dance and ceremony. The Federal Court judge determined that the Traditional Owners had not been adequately consulted prior to the project going ahead.
This was a big win, giving hope to other First Nations activists standing up for their cultural and environmental rights, but there is much work to be done to ensure free, informed, prior consent is given by First Nations communities whose lives are impacted by mining developments.
Right now, Save our Songlines, a group of Traditional Owners from Murujuga on the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia's Pilbara region, have joined together to stop new industry on the Burrup from damaging their Songlines, rock art, health and climate. They oppose Woodside's Scarborough gas development and Perdaman's proposed urea fertiliser plant.
Alongside Senator Lidia Thorpe I am actively advocating for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) to be legislated to protect the rights of First Nations people, and will continue to support the ‘cultural giants’ taking on the cashed up mining behemoths.
Science
Over the past decade, funding for science and technology has fallen behind the OECD average. We need to rebuild Australia’s knowledge economy and reposition this country as a leader in innovation by restoring funding to our science agencies and universities and demanding a greater share of Australia’s GDP be invested in research and development. Currently, Australia spends approximately 1.8 percent of GDP, while others invest up to 4 percent.
As the spokesperson for Science, I’m also committed to building a case for the establishment of a Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology that would further transparent, accountable, evidence-based policy-making by providing the government and members of parliament with independent scientific advice.
Having met with a variety of industry stakeholders in our five Australian Science academies over the past months, I know these Greens’ policies are precisely what the sector is calling for, and they are supporting us to work alongside all sides of politics to achieve this.
Additionally, I’m working to elevate First Nations scientific knowledge and technology by supporting organisations like the Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation, who provide leadership, advocacy and action to protect Country through cultural fire and land management practices.
Tourism
Following the federal election I took on the spokesperson responsibility for the Greens Tourism portfolio. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted our tourism industry. With international flights grounded and borders closed, we have become more accustomed to exploring our own backyards (literally our backyards during home isolation lockdowns).
As we move into the next phase of living with COVID in our communities and travel resumes, the tourism industry has new challenges to overcome – particularly for businesses and regions reliant on international travellers, and those facing workforce shortages.
Australia boasts many culturally-rich, diverse environments and experiences that represent unique tourism opportunities. One such place is the Murujuga Cultural Landscape that has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List’s tentative listings. This is the first step in achieving world heritage protection of this sacred ancestral place.
What places of cultural and environmental significance would you like to see receive world heritage protection?
Western Australia
My greatest pleasure as a senator is representing the people of Western Australia. Personally, and collectively, we have faced many challenges together during the global pandemic. We’ve been isolated from each other, and from the rest of the country, which has impacted our work life, family life, health and wellbeing. When COVID restrictions permitted, I made the most of the time available to me to travel across the state, from Broome to Kalgoorlie, Burringurrah to Albany, to join communities, advocates, activists and Greens members tackling the climate and inequality crises.
Our shared vision – to protect the environment, phase out coal and gas, and activate grassroots democracy – is coming to life in the 47th Parliament. The Australian Greens will use our balance of power as we promised we would: to seek change. I look forward to continuing our work together over the coming year.
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