Climate Action Canberra 2009

Society and democracy >


Is multi-party government
good for Australia?

Multi-party government is the norm in many countries but a novelty at the national level of Australian politics.  This forum, held in Canberra on 15 April 2011, explored the dynamics of multi-party government, its strengths and weaknesses and its implications for parties, politics and the future. Presenters included:

Senator Christine Milne speaking from experience as a participant in Labor and Liberal minority governments in Tasmania and the current Australian parliament
Prof John Warhurst political scientist and observer of Australian politics
Hon Nick McKim Tasmanian Greens Leader and first Greens minister in Australia
Dr Katrin Steinack from Germany, currently a researcher in Monash University’s parliamentary careers project, giving an international perspective

The discussion was well-informed and spirited. A film of the proceedings will be available soon.

Also:

  • Kris recently edited New Parties in Government which reviews the experience of parties across the political spectrum, including a number of Green parties.  It is expensive but worth reading if you can obtain it.
  • Green parties have participated in government in 17 European countries during the last twenty years. Anna Reynolds, International Adviser to Bob Brown, visited Europe in October 2010 to talk with Greens and others who have been part of this experience. Read her report and summary of lessons learned.


Green New Deal: Ecology, Economy, Democracy

“Prosperity consists in our ability to flourish as human beings—within the ecological limits of a finite planet. The challenge for our society is to create the conditions under which this is possible. It is the most urgent task of our times.” 
Tim Jackson, 2009

The Green New Deal conference in October 2009 attracted over 200 participants.


Global Greens

Bob Brown and Dorothy Tekwie, Melbourne December 2010