This information relates to the 2022 Federal Election and may no longer be current. 

Greens Policy Platform – latest announcements​

Building an anti-racist Australia

The Greens plan to ensure everyone can live without fear of racial violence, abuse and discrimination.

Racism is widespread in Australia. Racial trauma is an everyday reality for so many people and far-right extremism and white supremacy are rapidly increasing. Australia’s leaders have fuelled extremism and racism by blaming migrant communities for social problems, and pandering to the far-right. This needs to stop.

Racism is dangerous. It causes immense direct harm to communities and the visceral forces of racism and sexism join to multiply these harmful impacts on women of colour and First Nations women.

The Greens plan actively tackles racism, white supremacy and far-right extremism, and provides stronger protections for the human rights of racial minorities.

By building an anti-racist Australia, we can ensure a future where everyone can live without fear and discrimination. 

Did you know:
The Greens have been fighting racism in our communities for decades. We have been the only party to oppose indefinite offshore detention and the Government’s racist immigration policy. And we firmly back First Nations peoples’ calls to establish a Treaty, Truth and Voice to Parliament.

Photo of a smiling person. Text reads, It's time to tackle discrimination in parliament

Anti-racism training for all Federal MPs

White people in Australia hold most of the political institutional and economic power, they receive advantages that First Nations people and racial minorities do not. These benefits and advantages, of varying degrees, lead to white privilege - which can manifest into discrimination in our halls of Parliament. 

There is currently no mandated anti-racism training requirement for Federal Members of Parliament and Commonwealth employees.

Mandated anti-racism training will challenge white privilege and white fragility, and reveal ingrained prejudices.

The Greens plan includes:

  • Mandate anti-racism training for all Federal Members of Parliament and Commonwealth employees
  • Unpack white privilege and white fragility, in the context of personal, professional and community spaces
  • Challenge the notion that Australian institutions and services, such as the health or justice system, are colour blind
  • Discuss how racial discrimination and harassment manifest in parliaments, work environments and service delivery and how tackling racism will improve government service delivery
  • Urge MPs and Commonwealth employees to commit to personal and professional practices that discourage hate speech, challenge racism and improve Commonwealth engagement with and service delivery for First Nations people and people of colour
Photo of a smiling person. Text reads, We can create a racism free future

A National Anti-Racism Strategy

Racism and discrimination cause immense direct harm to people of colour. Racial discrimination damages the physical, psychological, and social wellbeing of many in our community. COVID-19 prompted a significant upsurge in racist attacks against people of colour.

Far-right racist extremism now constitutes 50% of ASIO’s counter-terrorism case load

The Greens plan includes:

  • $40 million in grants to community organisations and local governments to deliver programs that tackle structural racism, create awareness and empower communities to prevent racism
  • $5 million for national anti-racism campaigning; and 
  • $5 million to staff and deliver the strategy at the AHRC.
Photo of a smiling person. Text reads, Hatred has no place in our society

Make Hate Speech Illegal

Racism is fuelled by hatred and bigotry. Left unchecked, hate speech can lead to hate crimes. Politicians and prominent public figures in Australia often engage in racist hate speech that has gone from dog whistling to fanning the flames of racial conflict.

Far-right extremism and racist hatred are increasing. We see the consequences of not preventing hate speech in tragedies like the Christchurch Mosque attacks.

There is currently no criminal prohibition of hate speech at the federal level

The Greens plan includes:

  • Adding hate speech to the criminal code of conduct 
  • Establish a national database for tracking hate crimes
  • Proactively remove online racism and hate speech and hold social media companies accountable for the hate that is allowed to fester on their platforms
Photo of a smiling person. Text reads, Let's promote unity, understanding and harmony

Building a genuinely Multicultural country

Most states have legislation to protect and value multiculturalism, however no such laws exist at a federal level. Currently, Australians with dual nationality cannot sit as MPs in our Federal Parliament, and people from diverse backgrounds are underrepresented in boards and committees. But diversity in our political leadership, business and community, means more innovation and better outcomes for all of us which is reflective of our society and its values. 

Half of all Australians are either born overseas or have a parent who was born overseas.

The Greens plan includes:

  • Establishing a Federal Multicultural Commission to create a framework for multiculturalism and establishing guiding principles for Australian society to embrace and appreciate cultural and religious diversity.
  • Amending section 44 of the Constitution so that dual citizens can run for Federal office

Together, we’re powerful.

We have a plan to reduce the cost of living, make housing more affordable, tackle the climate crisis, and make sure everyone is looked after.

We'll take on the big corporations, stop them ripping you off, and and tax them to fund the things that everyone needs. The Greens are fighting for you.