2025-03-18
By the Green Issue Editors
Firstly, we do apologize for this delayed February edition of Green Issue. But we think that we have a good excuse. The Editors were deeply immersed in campaigning for the state election. We provide a brief overview of the outcome of the WA election, which was rather satisfying in terms of the overall increase in the Greens’ vote and the election of four Greens to the Legislative Council – to set up a “balance of power” situation.
With the chaotically deteriorating global security situation one article queries why the Doomsday Clock, long since monitoring global security, does not adequately reflect this. Closer to home, we examine how Australia’s current education system is contributing to increasing social inequality and resulting in poor educational outcomes at the lower end of the scale. Another contributor to social inequality is the poor standard of renters rights, in a system skewed towards property owners.
The threat of fracking in the Kimberley is not only disastrous for the people who live there but also for the planet in terms of the greenhouse gases to be unleashed. Prominent climate scientist Bill Hare provides a forensic analysis of the consequences if the government does not undertake an overall assessment of the local and global implications.
In this election period, voters are primarily worried about the cost of living and housing and they don’t necessarily see a connection to climate change Thus an article explaining how climate change is indeed driving up the cost of living and housing is included.
Again, due to preoccupation with campaigning for the WA election, only one MP report is available in this issue, that from Senator Dorinda Cox, continuing her drive for improved well-being of First Nations People.
Header photo: The 2021-25 WA Legislative Council. Credit: Government House Western Australia