2021-09-06
Last days in the Senate
By Senator Rachel Siewert
Hi everyone
This will be my last update to Green Issue as one of your Senators.
My last four weeks of Parliament have been a novel experience. The first week of August I attended Parliament remotely from Perth. It is certainly quite something being the Whip “online” and trying to make sure everything is happening as it should.
I then managed to get over to Parliament for my last three sitting weeks which were very intense because it was just Sarah and myself attending in person for the last two weeks and we were certainly run off our feet.
Thankfully, I have just managed to return from Canberra and it is certainly a little strange to be commencing my post senate life in quarantine!
It has been a huge honour to be able to represent you and our movement in Federal Parliament for the last 16 years. I cannot thank you enough for the support you’ve given me.
We have seen over the last two decades what happens when we put the interests of the wealthy ahead of those of the broader community. As we already know wealth doesn’t trickle down and it does not float all boats. Now more than ever it is critical that we put the people and the planet ahead of all else.
The pandemic laid bare how important a strong and inclusive community is and how important it is to look out for everyone in our community. While we are living through tumultuous times, with so many going without the basics and what sometimes seems like rampant environmental destruction, I have so much hope for the future because of our Greens movement.
I am so proud that Dorinda Cox will soon be the first First Nations woman from Western Australia representing our movement in the Senate.
Thank you to our volunteers and members at the Greens WA. Your commitment to our values and passion for making our community better means that I am lucky enough to have been able to represent you and our beautiful state for the last sixteen years.
We’re throwing a party to celebrate everything we’ve achieved together over the past 16 years. So if you’re in Perth, I’d love you to join us. You can RSVP here.
Bye for now.
Rachel
PS. If you would like to see my farewell to the Senate you can watch it here.
P.P.S. If it’s your cup of tea, the Australian Greens shop is selling some tea towels with my face on it (not sure how I feel about that!).