2023-10-13
By Australian Greens Policy Coordinating Committee
Jason Kennedy, AGPCC coordinator
AGPCC are regularly meeting on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 8.00pm EADT supplemented with intensive weekend sessions to allow completion of the policy review within the deadlines set by the electoral cycle. Member bodies are well represented with a number of new/alternating representatives this term. AGPCC would like to thank members who are no longer on the committee for their incredible work and commitment to policy work; their input is to be applauded. We would also like to welcome all the new members starting with the committee as tranche C and new policy areas are still needing to be transacted.
We have a strong core of member bodies who are at every meeting and carry the burden of the substantial work that is policy formulation and review. As a grassroots democratic party participation is key and we urge all member bodies to ensure that their members are regularly represented at AGPCC meetings. Only through participation can we be sure that the policy positions taken are representative of the broader membership.
The majority of submissions to this term review have been provided by the party room, it is incumbent on us as members to ensure these submissions are considered by the broader membership to ensure our pillar of grassroots participatory democracy is upheld and this can only be done through member body representation and participation. The preparation of policy is so fundamental to the foundation of our party that member bodies should elect several representatives and monitor the participation in the APGCC process.
2022-2024 Australian Greens policy review
The policy review is well under way reflecting the dates and timing announced at the Victorian national conference.
Tranche A has been transacted with the final policy areas for consideration at the October conference with those from Tranche B. AGPCC did not reach consensus on the suggested changes to the Genetically modified organisms (GMO) which will remain unchanged, council/conference may consider establishing a specific working group to consider the GMO policy area in order to capture the emerging science and real world examples and concerns to ensure the policy is reflecting the pillars and our beliefs.
AGPCC did not transact either of the First Nations policies awaiting guidance from the first nations network.
Proposed for October 2023
- Education
- Housing and Homelessness
- Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex
- Social Services
- Health
- Mental Health
- Animals
- Children and Young People
- Disability Rights and Services
- Early Childhood Education and Care
- Economic Justice
- Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and Girls
- Justice
- Science and Research
- Waste
- Employment and Workplace Relations
- Natural Resources: Forests and Mining
Passed MAY 2023
- Agriculture
- Arts and Culture
- Banking and Finance
- Environmental Principles
- Sport and Physical Recreation
- Climate Change and Energy
- Constitutional Reform and Democracy
- Media and Communications (Digital Rights)
- Drugs Substance Abuse and Addiction
- Water and Inland Aquatic Environments
To be transacted for MAY 2024
- Any carry over from October
- First Nations Peoples Truth Treaty Voice
- First Nations Peoples
- Genetically Modified Organisms
- Peace Disarmament and Demilitarisation
- Superannuation and Retirement Incomes
- Nuclear and Uranium
- Older People
- Public Service
- Biological Diversity
- Community Participation and Civil Society
- Global Economics
- Immigration and Refugees
- Industry and Manufacturing
- International Development Assistance
- Marine and Coastal Areas and Fisheries
- Population
We need to thank the members for their participation in this process, it is a huge commitment and responsibility to sit on a policy working group - sometimes thankless, however this work is fundamental, foundational, and strategic, and requires significant commitment from all member bodies. Please make policy a regular discussion point at all member body meetings.
To the AGPCC team this amount of work doesn't get done without your minds, commitment, and passion. For those of you who made this all possible THANK YOU!
Regards and thanks
AGPCC team