2021-10-31
Taking on the mental health portfolio, alarmed by AUKUS and striking for climate action
By Senator Jordon Steele-John
My goodness! So much has happened since August that it’s felt almost like an entire year packed into just a few months. There have been some incredible high points, some disappointments and a few ugly moments – but, as always, a great deal of hope.
Free mental health care
Rachel Siewert’s departure from the Senate in September meant the Federal Party room did a bit of a portfolio reshuffle and in case you hadn’t yet heard, I’m your new Greens’ spokesperson on Health and Mental Health, and I couldn’t be happier about it!
The first order of business was our announcement to fully fund unlimited mental healthcare by expanding Medicare. Before COVID-19, so many Australians were already missing out on adequate mental health care – but now we have a full-blown mental health crisis on our hands. We need to make sure everyone has access to the mental healthcare they want and need, and not just when they can afford it. The Greens’ plan will ensure that happens.
I’m so proud that our first health announcement was done just a couple of weeks after taking on the portfolio, and we have more to come! We’re planning more bold health policy initiatives as we move toward the federal election, so watch this space.
Not here, not now, not ever
We found ourselves rapidly mounting an anti-nuclear campaign following the Morrison government’s nuclear submarine announcement in September. My team and I ran a really energising forum in October about why the new military alliance (AUKUS) is a terrible idea and how we can fight it. I was really humbled to be joined by the formidable former Greens senator Jo Vallentine, who shared with us a really fascinating history of nuclear in WA, and I am grateful to our candidate for Perth, Caroline Perks, for facilitating the discussion.
The anti-nuke forum coincided with our launch of the Greens’ plan for peace and demilitarisation, which I’m so proud of. The government’s exorbitant military spending under the guise of national security actually makes us less safe. The Greens are calling for Australia’s defence spending to be reduced; to close all foreign military bases in Australia; to renegotiate our alliance with the US to reduce our reliance on them; and to sign and ratify the Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty.
School Strike 4 Climate
In October I also attended the School Strike 4 Climate alongside Senator Dorinda Cox and Brad Pettitt MLC. As always, it was such an uplifting and energetic rally, organised by such an impressive group of engaged and passionate young people. I had the pleasure of chatting with a number of students on the day and the experience left me feeling really hopeful knowing the future is in their capable hands.
Happenings in Parliament
October was the month of another action-packed Senate sitting week, which I attended remotely from my Perth office. Yet again, I called on the government to prioritise disabled people in the vaccine rollout – especially as NSW and Victoria move to reduce their reliance on lockdown. I also condemned the government for its near-total absence of a strategy to protect children from COVID-19 in schools. We must do better to ensure all members of our community are protected.
We also bore witness to a historic moment in Parliament this month. As the first ever First Nations woman from WA to enter the Senate, Dorinda’s first speech was a powerful sign of things to come – both for her Parliamentary work and for the country as a whole. I’m sad I wasn’t able to be in the chamber for it, but really excited to be working alongside her. Welcome, Dorinda!
I’m so ready to see what the final sitting week of 2021 will bring, and I’m waiting with bated breath for the federal election campaign to really kick off. Bring it on!
Header photo: With (from left to right) Clint Uink, Caroline Perks, Brad Pettitt and Dorinda Cox at the School Strike for Climate on 15th October.