Submission to Greens - draft notes

Over the next few weeks, I plan to develop a submission to the Victorian Greens, with two main purposes, one specific and personal, the other broad and policy oriented. The first is to ask for a review of the refusal of membership to me, with a clear statement of reasons. The second is to call for a clearer vision and purpose for the Greens, looking at what kind of society they are aiming for, and how the party itself represents that vision.

In brief, do the Greens aim to be an egalitarian, inclusive, democratic and open party, aiming for an egalitarian, inclusive, democratic and open society? Or do they aim to be a hierarchical organisation, dominated by small groups, with limited accountability, and aiming to manage society in the way they deem best? That seems to be the position confronting the Greens, and to be exemplified in the way I was treated, and others have been treated, in the party.

Some of this will necessarily be impressionistic. However, I will assemble and present as much clear evidence as I can. First, I begin with a general description of the Greens' position in Victoria at present.

Results of the last six elections:

Lower house votes

2018, Greens 10.71, ALP 42.86, Liberal/National total 35.20, Other 11.23

2014, Greens 11.48, ALP 38.10, Liberal/National total 42.00, Other 8.42

2010, Greens 11.21, ALP 36.25, Liberal/National total 44.78, Other 7.76

2006, Greens 10.04, ALP 43.06, Liberal/National total 39.61, Other 7.29

2002, Greens 9.73, ALP 47.95, Liberal/National total 38.21, Other 4.11

1999, Greens 1.15, ALP 45.57, Liberal/National total 47.02, Other 6.26

Upper house votes

2018, Greens 9.25, ALP 39.22, Liberal/National total 29.43, Other 22.1

2014, Greens 10.75, ALP 33.46, Liberal/National total 36.13, Other 19.66

2010, Greens 12.01, ALP 35.36, Liberal/National total 43.15, Other 9.48

2006, Greens 10.58, ALP 41.45, Liberal/National total 38.98, Other 8.99

2002, Greens 10.87, ALP 47.49, Liberal/National total 38.88, Other 2.76

1999, Greens 2.23, ALP 42.19, Liberal/National total 47.00, Other 8.58

Overall the Greens have been a significant presence in Victoria since the 2002 election. This likely reflects the big shift in 2002, following the Tampa incident, when Labor members like myself began leaving the party and switching to the Greens. 

The Greens vote, however, has declined somewhat in recent elections. For the lower house, it has declined from 11.48% in 2014 to 10.71% in 2018, while for the upper house, it has declined from 12.01% in 2010 to 9.25%. The Greens upper house vote is at its lowest point this century. 

This decline would likely in part reflect the increase in votes for minor parties and independents, which has been very marked in the upper house in the last two elections, and also present, though to a lesser degree, in the lower house (see 'Other' figures above). It is noticeable though that this has not affected the Labor party to the same degree. While the Labor party vote has declined since 2006, it has increased in the upper house in the most recent election and in the lower house in the two most recent elections. The Liberal National total vote has decreased since 2010 and declined dramatically in the most recent election. 

Overall, both Labor and minor parties/independents have increased their vote significantly in the last two elections, particularly at the expense of the Liberal/National coalition, but also apparently at the expense of the Greens. I argue very strongly that this should not be happening. At a time when climate change and environmental degradation are existential concerns, inequality is increasing dramatically, and the Victorian population overall seems to reject racist populism and the demonisation of asylum seekers, the Greens should be the party of choice on the basis of policy. The fact that they're not seems to indicate problems in the way the party is perceived, and in its messages to the people. It is in this context that I make this submission.