2020-03-03
By Rob Delves, for the Green Issue Editorial Team
Adam Bandt has come out swinging in favour of a Green New Deal (GND) and this is the main theme of our February Green Issue. Many readers will remember that The Greens promoted the idea of a GND as a way of responding to the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. This is one of the points made in Jordon Steele-John’s contribution, in which he replies to a set of commonly asked questions. One of these questions is the topic of Rob Delves’ article: Do we already have a set of policies that constitute a GND? The answer in both cases is a definite YES, although both writers argue that still leaves the party with much work to do.
What would a more detailed Greens’ policy look like? Arthur Rosenwald suggests it should consist of 11 principles, some of which are longstanding core Greens policies, such as rapidly phasing out all fossil fuel extraction and usage, combined with retraining and re-employment of redundant fossil fuel workers. Others are new and provocative possibilities, which will promote debate and rigorous questioning – to us editors, this encouragement of discussion about “Issues of interest to Greens” is important part of what our bi-monthly publication seeks to achieve.
Some of Arthur Rosenwald’s suggestions go far beyond what most people assume is the scope of a GND, such as housing for all and tax reform. This important point about scope is strongly made in two articles on the GND in the USA. Juanita Doorey compares the presentation of a GND by US Greens and Bernie Sanders. She shows that they are very similar, and one of these similarities is the broad scope of the program: for example, free universal health care, child care and higher education are absolutely in the mix. Andrew Bromley, our latest addition to the Green Issue editorial team, makes the same point, while also relating the current visions to the original New Deal put in place by President Roosevelt.
Our February Green Issue includes three contributions on topics of ongoing interest. All touch on climate change ‒ the most urgent issue of our times. Two are written by state MPs. Alison Xamon makes a powerful case that reform of political donations could be the single most important step we can take towards tackling global heating. Diane Evers explains in some detail what regenerative agriculture is all about, including its role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Chris Johansen looks at the consequences of the different possible paths (varying degrees of action and inaction) that Australia may choose to take in response to climate change.
Of course, reports by our state and federal MPs are a central focus of every Green Issue. In this issue we include MP updates from Senator Jordon Steele-John and Members of the WA Legislative Council, Alison Xamon (North Metropolitan), Diane Evers (South West) and Tim Clifford (East Metropolitan). We are indeed thankful for their hard and challenging work in bringing our Greens values to everything that the parliaments throw at them. We hope you enjoy reading their reports and all the other contributions to this edition – and look forward to any responses you may have, including suggestions for major themes in future editions of Green Issue.