2024-09-02
Are the Teals a signal that the public views the Greens as extremists, and are we?
By Mark McDonald, Fremantle-Tangney Greens
On the outside, and certainly for public consumption, the answer must be to welcome Teal Independents both openly and encouragingly, for their values are largely compatible with the Greens movement. The issues that are so neglected by the current empowered parties can only be better served when there are more people in parliament who would pressure the two major parties to change their views. Inwardly though, the rise of these new independents may be an opportunity for reflection.
I think there is a strong argument for a larger number of parties in Australian politics. A brief look at the US elections and the issues they are campaigning on (versus the issues they ought to) should be a stern warning to Australians where our political future lies if we continue to have a two-party system. Plus, though the press regularly denies it, the Gillard minority government was a very effective one. The Greens are well placed to become a major power in politics, and in recent elections have even started to push into the lower house in numbers which suggests a change is coming. Strange then, that at the same time we see the rise of independents whose policies could have been dictated to them by the Greens. Perhaps the answer lies in the differences we might find in economic ideals, though I feel that the differences are not that great in practice, even as the communist mud slinging seems to stick.
And herein lies the problem as I see it.
The Greens are often seen as (and often own the moniker) a party of protest. That may not be fair, or it may be accurate (I have certainly heard both sentiments expressed by members), and I think at some point the Greens will have to choose. Are the Greens best when they are powerful in the Senate, a protest party true to an ideologue, or could they be best when they form a government and form policy in the lower house, a party that may need to find compromises that are not always popular?
As Greens perhaps it is time to reflect upon why we are not seen as a genuine alternative ruling party? Are our protest roots preventing us from being perceived as a constructive alternative? If so, where would we direct our energy? Should we pursue the same lower house seats as the independents, should we focus our energy in the Senate?
The coming elections might be instructive. Will we break out past the 15% odd percent reserved for fringe parties, or will the inevitable swing away from Labor go to the Independents and the Liberals? Ultimately the public will tell us where they think we belong!
Header photo: Teal Independent supporters. Credit: theconversation.com
[Opinions expressed are those of the author and not official policy of Greens WA]