WHY vote for the Greens?

[SassyMummy]

Would you like Child Care Centres to be not-for-profit and purely run to benefit your children?

Do you think the government should fund high quality services for children suffering from abuse and neglect?

Do you believe women should have the right to which ever birthing method they choose?

Would you like to be recognised for raising a family and being a homemaker?

Do you believe all women deserve access to free, safe and legal termination services, injcluding unbiased counselling?

Would you like to see smoking banned in public areas to protect people against passive smoking?

Do you believe that the old age pension is pitiful and should be increased?

Should same-sex couples be allowed to be legally married the same as heterosexual can be?

Do you believe all children under the age of 3 deserve access to swimming lessons so as to save lives?

Would you like to see special equiptment for those with a disability become tax-deductable?

Would you like to see more bulk billing GPs, especially in rural areas?

Do you believe people seeking asylum should be treated humanely and fairly?

Do you wish you could access public preschools for your children?

Would you like to see public schools be better funded with the money currently use to help private schools?

... and of course, do you care about the environment?

If you answeres YES to any of these questions, THAT is why you should vote Greens.

They are not just about climate change... they are about so much more.

A vote for Greens is not just a vote for Labor. YOU can choose your own preferences.

To find out more about The Greens Policies... http://greens.org.au/policies

[Benji]

:thumbsup: They're getting my vote this year. I'd also like to add those of us in construction and with partners/husbands in construction & building I strongly suggest you vote Greens as they are the ONLY party committed to scrapping the Nazi-style Australian Building & Construction Commission!!! Honestly, please think about it and research before voting!!!

[Travdan]

Thanks for posting that. I don't think a lot of people are aware of what the Greens are about, so thank you. I think everyone should vote Green, we need ethical policies in government, and policies that will benefit and bring equality to the more marginalised groups of society.

[shelle65]

:yes: I always vote Greens :thumbsup:

[ThereIsNoPlaceLikeHome]

:yes: I'm a proud Greens supporter!!

[Mrs Molly Coddle]

Thanks for posting this sassy! Bumpety bump!

[Baldie's Mum]

Very well posted! Thank you for that! :flowerz:

Does anyone have any links to the greens and small business? I cant find any.....

[MummaBear03]

They always get my vote.

More than just watching windmills hey ;)

They are everything that I stand for as a person.

Baldies, I'm not sure what you're after exactly? Like how will the Greens benefit small business? How will the Greens specifically benefit someone running a business? How will they benefit the workers in a small business?

[Baldie's Mum]

They always get my vote.

More than just watching windmills hey ;)

They are everything that I stand for as a person.

Baldies, I'm not sure what you're after exactly? Like how will the Greens benefit small business? How will the Greens specifically benefit someone running a business? How will they benefit the workers in a small business?

Yeah pretty much. I can find broader stuff on the economy, and taxes......but not for small business. Everything else is great! :D

[chicken and eggs mum]

Well written!!!!!

GO GREENS!!!!!!

[bubbleandme]

:D i'm voting for the first time, and i'm voting for the greens

[silverstars]

I am voting for The Greens because I like them and also because I am in a very strong Liberal seat so I figure there is more chance of people voting Greens in this area than Labor even though my preference will go to them.

[Jakois]

Greens :smiliedance::smiliedance::smiliedance:

[Alekay]

Thank you for posting that. I was going to vote labor but I might re think now:)

[V8]

All of those reasons make sense to me, i'm definately considering voting for green, i just hope there is a candidate in my electorate.

[Areca]

Greens get my vote this year too :)

[Alekay]

All of those reasons make sense to me, i'm definately considering voting for green, i just hope there is a candidate in my electorate.

Oh I did not even think of that :detective:

[Lil M]

How will they fund all of this & what are they going to do about the economy & the current deficit?

All sounds great - in an ideal world :rolleyes:

[V8]

Just found out there is someone in my electorate if you go to the homepage and enter your postcode it will find one in your electorate.

http://greens.org.au/

[LibranTwin]

Go greens :):)

[Lillynix]

Awesome post Sassy, thank you!

I'm always a Greens voter and this year i'm giving my preferences first to The Democrats (they support homebirth!!) :D

[Bibs]

Just wanted to bump this because I love their policies :)

[sarajeff17]

:yes: im a greens girl this year i like the ploicies and anything is better than abbot the tool :australia-flag-06:

[Kadorite]

I usually vote green but after them dropping some policies that I really believed in last year, my vote is going to the Australian Sex Party. Their policies are very similar to the Greens.

Some of the policies that swayed my vote are:

Introduce an R and X rating for computer games

To overturn mandatory ISP filtering of the Internet and return Internet censorship to parents and individuals.

To bring about the development of a national sex education curriculum as a first step in preventing the sexualisation of children.

To create total equal rights in all areas of the law including same sex marriage.

Overturn racist laws that ban adults living in and visiting aboriginal communities in the NT from possessing erotic and sexual media.

Ensure the sexual rights and freedoms of people with a disability and the elderly.

To enact national pregnancy termination laws along the same lines as divorce law — which allow for legal, no-fault and guilt-free processes for women seeking termination.

Ensure that the introduction of paid parental leave is fair and equitable for small businesses.

The public education system should be secular in nature and not provide for any religious instruction whatsoever.

Decriminalisation, not legalisation, of purchase, possession and consumption of all drugs for personal use, such quantity to be defined as an amount equal or less than 14 day’s supply for one person.

Voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide for patients with a terminal illness and suffering severe pain to be decriminalised.

[Bibs]

I usually vote green but after them dropping some policies that I really believed in last year, my vote is going to the Australian Sex Party. Their policies are very similar to the Greens.

Some of the policies that swayed my vote are:

Introduce an R and X rating for computer games

To overturn mandatory ISP filtering of the Internet and return Internet censorship to parents and individuals.

To bring about the development of a national sex education curriculum as a first step in preventing the sexualisation of children.

To create total equal rights in all areas of the law including same sex marriage.

Overturn racist laws that ban adults living in and visiting aboriginal communities in the NT from possessing erotic and sexual media.

Ensure the sexual rights and freedoms of people with a disability and the elderly.

To enact national pregnancy termination laws along the same lines as divorce law — which allow for legal, no-fault and guilt-free processes for women seeking termination.

Ensure that the introduction of paid parental leave is fair and equitable for small businesses.

The public education system should be secular in nature and not provide for any religious instruction whatsoever.

Decriminalisation, not legalisation, of purchase, possession and consumption of all drugs for personal use, such quantity to be defined as an amount equal or less than 14 day’s supply for one person.

Voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide for patients with a terminal illness and suffering severe pain to be decriminalised.

What about any policies on the environment or refugees and immigration?

[BigRedV]

I was going to vote Labor, but have now changed my mind and will vote Greens, there is a candidate in my electorate :thumbsup:
They always get my vote.


They are everything that I stand for as a person.


Really...



Do you believe all women deserve access to free, safe and legal termination services, injcluding unbiased counselling?

[finallyready]

The Greens get my vote this year!

They are also promising a national dental scheme similar to Medicare (Denticare) :thumbsup:

I have a candidate in my electorate who quickly and personally responded to an email I sent.

The current labour member (it's a safe Labour seat) hasn't bothered to respond.

My only beef is that none of those running in my electorate actually live in the electorate!

[BJelly]

Go the Greens!

Both the major parties are stalling on real action on Climate Change.
We need to send a message that we want real action on Climate Change NOW!! - not another talkfest or more money thrown at Big Coal which surely can look after itself when it's making big profits.

If the Coal industry thinks carbon sequestration is a winner it should be funding it's own research - why should taxpayers be doing this?? (I personally don't believe they'll ever be able to safely store carbon pollution underground - too much risk of leakage or contamination of underground water)

We need to be doing much more to move towards renewable energy sources, and making our society carbon neutral and standing up for social justice.

[SassyMummy]

Lozzza, I can't speak for her exactly, but from what I've read from MB in the past, I think she seems like the type who doesn't agree with abortion, but doesn't see it as beneficial to make illegal either.

If women are going to abort, it's best to make it as safe as possible and ensure that all women having an abortion are taken care of mentally before and after without bias or pressure.

I might be wrong, but yeah, that's what I've always gathered about MB anyway. :)

As for the Sex Party... I don't think they cover enough area to get my vote.

[GabberQueeN83]

Who is going to help Mental health???

[Looshkin]

I agree re: the sex party.
The thing is that the greens already hold enough power to actually keep both labor and libs in line regardless of which party actually wins. I very much hope for a day that Australia 'grows' up as it were on issues of social justice that we see in countries like the netherlands and norway etc... instead of following liberal to an eventual quasi american system of 2 weeks holiday, no health benefits and a corrupt and third world health system, free market capitalism and general doom for all.

I very much see the greens as the sort of ethical shoulder living Jimminy cricket bugging the hell out of both labor and libs who try to pass things without the majority of Australia even *knowing* what is being passed - a good example of this is the maternity reform which was essentially passed about a year before anyone even knew about it, since let's face it for most government is pretty boring and the general population would rather scratch their eyes out than be a freak like moi and watch the senate dribble on.

Anyway, I've always voted greens first.
It's good politics for most people, Supporting sahm's and supporting women having kids and providing health and good accessible education to all just makes so much sense to me it's sort of a case of duh? Since those kids will grow up and be little tax payers, it's just good politics.

And the gay marriage thing both labor and libs harp on about is simply nothing to do with politics, what on earth other people getting married *should* have to do with the interests of a government is beyond me.
Since it was what, 70% of aussies in favour of equal marriage rights?

Seems to be more of projected personal beliefs coming from the fear of upsetting the religious terrorists that have mostly always had their way..

[SassyMummy]

Green's Mental Health Policies (tahen from here: http://greens.org.au/policies/care-for-people/health):

37. increase funding to mental health services in collaboration with states and territories, particularly to prevention models, and hospital and community-based support, assessment and suicide prevention services.

38. establish properly resourced, strategically located 24 hour community mental health services, staffed by the full range of mental health professionals.

39. expand community-based support services and agencies to enable people with chronic mental and/or physical illnesses, and their carers, to live in and participate more fully in their communities.

[trishalishous]

the only policy I DONT like is scrapping the 30% rebate on private health insurance (reported in the west australian newspaper, but I haven't confirmed it) as that would mean an extra $20 a week for us, and we are on a strict budget.
can anyone confirm if that is a policy or not?

[SassyMummy]

That is a policy Trish, and I can see why it might not seem great to some families.


23.abolish the private health insurance rebate and redirect funds to the public health system, including public hospitals.

HOWEVER, I do believe it is better for our country on the whole. Public health is atrocious at the moment, and they NEED more money.

The Greens also have policies that would lead to more bulk-billing GPs too though, which means a lot of people would have better access to quality public healthcare and thus may not need their private health insurance anymore.

They also have intentions to put more things on hte PBS and such... meaning that healthcare will be more affordable overall, for everyone.

[trishalishous]

see I think encouraging people who can afford phi to subsidise and take the burden off the public system is a good thing. in my case, taking the rebate away will be worse for the public system.
when we need specialists we go private, but with no cover we would be adding to the waiting lists.
also I went as a private patient at our regional public hospital, and they charged the health fund 10k for my stay. I would have had the same treatment& private room (complications) as a public but this way they received some funds.
my neice just had a 15 month wait for speech pathology, if she had phi it was a 2week wait and double the bill to the insurance company, to enable the specialist to provide public treatment.
I think phi is really important to leave the much needed public health care to those who really need it.

[headoverfeet]

Yes, to all of the above OPer :)

[Amara]

I like the sound of the greens policies. They are also planning affordable housing and making some changes to family law where dv is involved to ensure child safety.

[Amara]

Oh and why would anyone vote for a party that would legalise illicit drugs? We already have enough problems in society from their use and legalising them would increase their use by a lot. Our mental health system already can't manage all the brain damaged ex users and current users.

[MamaBleech]

I'm voting green but I just checked out the Democratic Labor Party's website.

I really like most of what they stand for and as PP said they DO seem to be the only party that actually includes the word 'homebirth' in their health policy statement. :yelclap:

[Izy]

thanks trishalicious for typing what i was going to.

As for legalising drugs... I don't support the legalisation of hard drugs, but by legalising some recreational drugs it will allow it to be better monitored and regulated.

It will mean people can seek help without fear of criminal charges, and will help get the dodgy dealers off the street.

[Boobycino]

Just voted :thumbsup:

[SalTheGal]

I'm voting Greens... and after doing a bit of research this morning (thanks Lillynix- I still didn't know who I was going to give my preference too as of this morning) I am going to give preference to the Democrats too- Homebirth is definitely a major sway for me.

Wouldn't it be exciting if the Greens had a real shot at holding the power... its one of those things that I never really thought possible- but after hearing person after person this time round say that they are going to vote Greens, I think they are starting to gain some momentum! :yelclap:

[Boobycino]

It's funny I never considered greens purely and simply because my dad said never to vote greens. :o

I actually only started looking at them tonight and this morning.

I'm 23 and that was the first time I 'used' my vote other than sort of randomly chosing the names of parties I liked best (I think I always voted 'family first' cos I figured that can't be a bad thing ;) )

:yes: thanks!

[Tweak]

It's funny I never considered greens purely and simply because my dad said never to vote greens. :o

I actually only started looking at them tonight and this morning.

I'm 23 and that was the first time I 'used' my vote other than sort of randomly chosing the names of parties I liked best (I think I always voted 'family first' cos I figured that can't be a bad thing ;) )

:yes: thanks!
Congratulations!!!!!
It really doesn't matter who you voted for but the fact that you cared enough about your future and the future of you kids and the future of the country, to spend a few minute to find out who clicks with you best is a wonderful selfless act

[KatiesMum]

It is very likely that the Greens will hold the balance of power in the Senate, no matter who wins government today.

That means that they will not get a chance to put all of these things in place (and therefore have not made 'promises' as such), but will get to negotiate and have a fair amount of wiggle room to get some things through that they see as important and block things which they really dont agree with.

Its a lot of power ... but I am hoping that they will use it well.

They do have some internal disagreements about policy, especially wtih environmental issues ... so it will be a testing time for them.

I hope Bob Brown is up to it, coz it will be fairly challenging for him. :)

[KatiesMum]

In addition - they may just win a lower house seat this year.

Its interesting looking at the total votes last time around. (here (http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2010/guide/preview.htm))

The National Party won substantially less total votes (682,000 to the greens 967,000) but the Nats won 10 seats and the Greens none.

The Greens have a fairly wide overall approval .. 1 in 10 people vote them first. But it was all accross Australia and not concentrated in seats they could actually win.

Best of luck to the this year, I think their vote will increase substantially.

[trishalishous]

I'm voting green but I just checked out the Democratic Labor Party's website.

I really like most of what they stand for and as PP said they DO seem to be the only party that actually includes the word 'homebirth' in their health policy statement. :yelclap:
but they advocate criminal prosecution for abortion or euthanasia???
they also want to restrict ivf/adoption/surrogacy.
and they opposed recycling water, in a country with constant drought (plus if you've ever been to the uk or singapore(off the top of my head) you've HAD recycled water)
definately not for me!

and back on topic, I AM voting greens, even though I disagree with the removal of the phi rebate, as they are the best for the country overall.

[Izy]

I agree!

For me it comes down to who is most in line with the majority of issues that are most important to you.

There are some fundamental ideas that I just can't agree with regardless, so those parties are bumped right down.

[RedPanda]

Isn't the Sex Party largely funded by the p0rn industry? No thanks.

[WorkingClassMum]

:thumbsup: They're getting my vote this year. I'd also like to add those of us in construction and with partners/husbands in construction & building I strongly suggest you vote Greens as they are the ONLY party committed to scrapping the Nazi-style Australian Building & Construction Commission!!! Honestly, please think about it and research before voting!!!

Firstly the ABCCC is not at all comparable in any way, shape or design to the Nazis.

As for union v's ABCC , having a foot in both camps, the ABCC is one reason I have a job ATM - they have finally managed to stop the strong armed bullying by the unions.

The horrible stories I could tell tell you about unions would make you :banghead:


my vote is going to the Australian Sex Party.Some of the policies that swayed my vote are:


Decriminalisation, not legalisation, of purchase, possession and consumption of all drugs for personal use, such quantity to be defined as an amount equal or less than 14 day’s supply for one person.

.

Major, epic FAIL in my opinion and this would be one major reason for me NOT ever voting for the S#X party


...


Anyhow's I now off to go to vote, maybe for a Posted Turtle...

[TurnedBatty]

There's an australian s3x party?? Man I should pay more attention. I wonder if I can go get my vote papers back??? ;) I finally decided and went with the greens. :)

[faroutbrusselsprout]

Yay for the greens! I convinced DH to vote for them as well. I'm excited to think they could have some power around the place! What a lovely thought!

[mysonroger]

I'll be voting the greens this year. I'm sure the green vote will increase dramatically because the other choices are so poor and dismal this time round that I think many people are looking for an alternative. this is what happened to me...i have always been liberal, not this year. there's no way i'm voting labour either....i still cannot trust them. so its green for me.

[Merla]

Green's got my 2nd preference for the house of reps and 10-13 for senate. I do not agree with some of their policies and find the party as a whole a bit challenging and ridged. That said my father has always voted greens and its good to have a moral watchdog in the senate.

[Merla]

Remember if voting greens to vote below the ling and choose who your preferences go to. It is important and it does make a difference. Even if your happy with your preferences going to the labor party, you can choose who exactly and then who you would like next. It took me an extra minute to vote below the line.

belowtheline.org.au/

[ThereIsNoPlaceLikeHome]

Yay for the greens! I convinced DH to vote for them as well. I'm excited to think they could have some power around the place! What a lovely thought!


I agree! :goodvibes:Sad as it may sound, I am really looking forward to watching the results tonight!!

Go Greens!! :D:smiliedance:

[jennababe]

im voting greens when i can be bothered getting off my bum;)