Recently Bob Brown gave an interview in which he called for 'renewal' in the NSW Greens. In that interview he stated that, inter alia, the Greens were being "held back by the old guard", that the Greens voters "deserved better" and that Lee Rhiannon should stand down. He indicated that voters had told him that... Continue Reading →
The Failure of the Greens
The 'failure' of the Greens – more myth than maths In the 2016 post election wash up a number of people, both inside and outside the Greens, have tried to analyse why the Greens “did so poorly” especially in NSW and in the Senate. Among them have been Osman Faruqi, in this story in the... Continue Reading →
The Astonishing Australian Nuclear Power Delusion
The most bizarre thing about the nuclear lobby in Australia, is that there is a single politician that actually supports its view that there is a future for nuclear power in Australia. Scarcely a month passes without a politician or scientist advocating the possibility of nuclear power in Australia. From ex-Minister, McFarlane to South Australian... Continue Reading →
The Danger of the mantra of ‘Grass Roots’ Democracy
These are sayings that are designed to reveal little and hide a lot. The same could be argued for an oft-repeated Greens mantra. Whenever critical political debate around Greens policies, or comparisons to other parties occurs, one often hears people saying, in effect, “well you may not like it but (unlike other political parties) it's ok because we have grass roots democracy”
The Generosity of Strangers in Strange Lands
It's clear that Australians whose daily out outpouring of bile against Muslims, refugees and strangers, in general, have never experienced the generosity, warmth and welcome of strangers in strange lands. Had they done so it is hard to believe that they would behave towards people with different values, skin colours and religions as they have... Continue Reading →
Episode 5 – The Greens – Committee Central
Warning: This post was previously password protected. It has now been made public since it now has limited, if any, relevance to the internal workings of the NSW Greens. A significant number of the issues raised here have now been wholly or partially addressed or are in the process of being addressed As I originally... Continue Reading →
Rugby League – the world’s most boring “sport” – inane, unintelligent and misogynistic
Rugby League! Is it the world’s most stupid game? And how easy it is to dislike!! Leaving aside the misogyny, the hyped-up macho culture, the boys’ own stupidity (Oh I hate Queensland!!), the serial idiocy of its players and the state-based xenophobia, it surely has rules which make it the world’s most unintelligent game. And... Continue Reading →
What the Greens need to do next…
The Greens – Will They Miss Their Own Wave? There are some lessons that are as applicable to politics, as to surfing. Sometimes you only get one moment to catch a wave before the last swell fades. For the Greens that moment is now. But they need to organise better and differently or they miss... Continue Reading →
Politicians – arrogant, entitled, leaners and how to fix them.
Australia doesn’t have a problem with politics – it has a problem with politicians. Most people say they hate politics and are disillusioned with politics. Scratch a little deeper and you will find in fact that it’s the politicians themselves with whom the public are disillusioned. We have a politician problem not a politics problem.... Continue Reading →
Part 3 – The Maelstrom
Warning: This post was previously password protected. It has now been made public since it now has limited, if any, relevance to the internal workings of the NSW Greens. A significant number of the issues raised here have now been wholly or partially addressed or are in the process of being addressed As I originally... Continue Reading →
Episode 2 – Into the Bearpit
Warning: This post was previously password protected. It has now been made public since it now has limited, if any, relevance to the internal workings of the NSW Greens. A significant number of the issues raised here have now been wholly or partially addressed or are in the process of being addressed As I originally... Continue Reading →
Episode 1 – The Oxymoronic offer
Warning: This post was previously password protected. It has now been made public since it now has limited, if any, relevance to the internal workings of the NSW Greens. A significant number of the issues raised here have now been wholly or partially addressed or are in the process of being addressed As I originally... Continue Reading →
Environmental Anecdotes (Episode 1) Beating BHP with Bravado and Blue Tarps
Late on the 13th a white land cruiser, with our team of three, approached the first locked gate on the road on the road to Coronation Hill. The least organised, most impromptu and most poorly resourced "blockade" in Australian history was about to start.
