Richard Dinatale has won preselection as the Greens lead senate candidate for the upcoming 2010 federal election. It was a pleasure to be on the "preselection campaign trail" with Richard. We attended all the "meet the senate candidate" events together.
Congratulations Richard. You will be a fine Victorian Senator. I encourage everyone to do their best to help get Richard elected.
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
My speech at the Tooradin meet the candidates event
Here is my short speech at the "meet the candidates" event in Tooradin, West Gippsland.
These events are held by the Greens so that party members can meet, hear and question the people such as myself who have nominated for preselection for the Lead Senate Candidate for the Greens in Victoria for the 2010 Federal election.
All Victorian members get to vote to select the Lead Senate Candidate by a postal ballot. If you are a Victorian member and haven't yet voted, make sure you do by 22 May 09.
Sunday, 10 May 2009
My speech at the North Melbourne Senate Candidate meeting
The meet the senate candidate event at North Melbourne today (Sunday 10/5) followed a different format to the previous two.
This time, we were given a hypothetical scenario where, as Senator for Victoria, there were three options to attend events, then a recall to the Senate.
The options we were presented with were:
The speech I wrote - as the "Greens Senator for Victoria" at this hypothetical future meeting, is below.
Melbourne writers festival speech.
Dear ladies, gentlemen, children and members of the panel,
It an honour and a privilege to attend this event in the company of Australia’s leading writers, editors and publishers and so many interested members of the public.
You are testament to Australia’s great strengths in the Arts, which is a vibrant and vital part of both our economy and our society.
In my capacity as Greens Spokesperson for the Arts I am here to tell you that we Greens oppose the dismantling of Parallel Importing legislation which has been proposed by the Productivity Commission.
Once again, the Productivity Commission, a Government Agency, and both the Labor Government and the Coalition opposition, are supporting changes which will be bad for employment, bad for the Arts and bad for our society.
Once again, we see both Labor and Liberal parties looking after the big end of town.
Once again, we see them worshipping at the altar of unfair “free trade” and pushing you, Australia’s writers, editors and publishers into an abyss of uncertainty.
There is however some hope that we can avoid this looming catastrophe. We Greens in both the House of Representatives (such as the Member for Higgins present here today) and the Senate will not support this legislation.
I will also put the case for supporting your cause to the Minister for the Arts, Peter Garrett, and the Government.
We recently succeeded in ensuring grants to the College of Performing Arts were retained after Peter Garrett announced they would be terminated. We, and loud and vocal calls from within the Australian Community, succeeded in getting Peter Garrett to change his mind.
It is vitally important that everybody here also takes action on this too. Contact your local member and tell them that you are opposed to the removal of Parallel Import Legislation. Tell them that you think a vibrant writing and publishing scene in Australia is more important to you than the profits of multinational companies.
Tell them that the removal of similar legislation that supported Australia’s music industry in the 90s has had serious and long lasting negative impacts on that sector.
And tell your friends to contact their local MP and Minister Garrett too.
In closing, we Greens put people ahead of profits and we put creativity ahead of multinational interests. We appreciate and admire your collective work which makes Australia a clever, informed and lucky country.
This time, we were given a hypothetical scenario where, as Senator for Victoria, there were three options to attend events, then a recall to the Senate.
The options we were presented with were:
- Addressing the first action of the Swan Hill Climate Action Group
- The Melbourne Writers Festival, discussing the Parallel Importing legislation removal
- The inaugural conference of Democracy Watch in Sydney, discussing election campaign funding and transparency
- Voting in the Senate on a the acquisition of 5 extra jets, following a special extra sitting day to discuss this issue.
The speech I wrote - as the "Greens Senator for Victoria" at this hypothetical future meeting, is below.
Melbourne writers festival speech.
Dear ladies, gentlemen, children and members of the panel,
It an honour and a privilege to attend this event in the company of Australia’s leading writers, editors and publishers and so many interested members of the public.
You are testament to Australia’s great strengths in the Arts, which is a vibrant and vital part of both our economy and our society.
In my capacity as Greens Spokesperson for the Arts I am here to tell you that we Greens oppose the dismantling of Parallel Importing legislation which has been proposed by the Productivity Commission.
Once again, the Productivity Commission, a Government Agency, and both the Labor Government and the Coalition opposition, are supporting changes which will be bad for employment, bad for the Arts and bad for our society.
Once again, we see both Labor and Liberal parties looking after the big end of town.
Once again, we see them worshipping at the altar of unfair “free trade” and pushing you, Australia’s writers, editors and publishers into an abyss of uncertainty.
There is however some hope that we can avoid this looming catastrophe. We Greens in both the House of Representatives (such as the Member for Higgins present here today) and the Senate will not support this legislation.
I will also put the case for supporting your cause to the Minister for the Arts, Peter Garrett, and the Government.
We recently succeeded in ensuring grants to the College of Performing Arts were retained after Peter Garrett announced they would be terminated. We, and loud and vocal calls from within the Australian Community, succeeded in getting Peter Garrett to change his mind.
It is vitally important that everybody here also takes action on this too. Contact your local member and tell them that you are opposed to the removal of Parallel Import Legislation. Tell them that you think a vibrant writing and publishing scene in Australia is more important to you than the profits of multinational companies.
Tell them that the removal of similar legislation that supported Australia’s music industry in the 90s has had serious and long lasting negative impacts on that sector.
And tell your friends to contact their local MP and Minister Garrett too.
In closing, we Greens put people ahead of profits and we put creativity ahead of multinational interests. We appreciate and admire your collective work which makes Australia a clever, informed and lucky country.
Saturday, 9 May 2009
Meet the Senate Candidate meetings - Geelong and Tooradin
I have attended the first two "meet the senate candidate" meetings which give Greens party members in Victoria a chance to meet and hear the candidates for preselection as the lead senate candidate for the Greens in Victoria.
The first meeting was at Geelong on Saturday May 2nd. It was a great opportunity to meet the other candidates and local Greens. We each got to speak for 5 minutes on why we were seeking preselection, then we answered questions from the audience. There were several excellent questions to keep us on our toes.
The two I particularly liked, with my answers in italics, are below.
What will you be prepared to compromise on if you are a Senator?
I would not compromise on climate change and energy policy matters. We need to rapidly reduce our carbon emissions in line with what are scientists are telling us. We need to stop playing politics about climate change and take urgent action to ensure as safe climate future.
I would compromise on an issue such as the Alcopops tax. While all alcholic drinks should be taxed according to their alcohol content, there is general consensus that the Alcopops tax was a step in the right direction.
What visions to you have that may be outside of current Greens policy?
I think we need a Very Fast Train service linking Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. It could eventually extend to Adelaide and Brisbane. This would reduce carbon emissions on the Melbourne to Sydney air route which is one of the busiest in the world.
The second meeting was held on Saturday 9/5 at Tooradin. The event followed a similar format to Geelong. Once again, there were several excellent questions.
It is good to get out and about and meet people during this process. It is also a great opportunity to share information on about the opportunities and challenges that face us all in our quest for a sustainable and low carbon society.
The first meeting was at Geelong on Saturday May 2nd. It was a great opportunity to meet the other candidates and local Greens. We each got to speak for 5 minutes on why we were seeking preselection, then we answered questions from the audience. There were several excellent questions to keep us on our toes.
The two I particularly liked, with my answers in italics, are below.
What will you be prepared to compromise on if you are a Senator?
I would not compromise on climate change and energy policy matters. We need to rapidly reduce our carbon emissions in line with what are scientists are telling us. We need to stop playing politics about climate change and take urgent action to ensure as safe climate future.
I would compromise on an issue such as the Alcopops tax. While all alcholic drinks should be taxed according to their alcohol content, there is general consensus that the Alcopops tax was a step in the right direction.
What visions to you have that may be outside of current Greens policy?
I think we need a Very Fast Train service linking Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. It could eventually extend to Adelaide and Brisbane. This would reduce carbon emissions on the Melbourne to Sydney air route which is one of the busiest in the world.
The second meeting was held on Saturday 9/5 at Tooradin. The event followed a similar format to Geelong. Once again, there were several excellent questions.
It is good to get out and about and meet people during this process. It is also a great opportunity to share information on about the opportunities and challenges that face us all in our quest for a sustainable and low carbon society.
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Statements from my nominators
These are the statements from Greens members who have nominated me for preselection:
Emma Henley
Boroondara Branch Convenor (2006-2008)
I am nominating Peter Campbell for Senate preselection because having worked with him in various different roles throughout the party I have come to respect and value his skills as a candidate and campaigner. He is a passionate and enthusiastic candidate with seemingly endless energy to devote to the campaign.
He is truly committed to the Greens’ Charter and Greens’ Policies. I have always been impressed by Peter’s knowledge and thorough understanding of not just our policies but also the wider issues, including being able to reference studies, statistics, facts and stories to support and explain the complexities of an issue. Despite having this wealth of knowledge, Peter is still able to discuss any issue in lay-person terms with everyone from pensioners to teenagers and having a young daughter himself, is able to way lyrical with parents about family issues.
Peter is also a very easy to listen to public speaker with a compelling manner of presenting arguments. Peter has phenomenal grass roots connections with a variety of community groups whom he is able to draw upon in a campaign. He is not afraid of using technology to help get his message across with web-pages, blogs and networking sites.
I have been heavily involved in the party for about 5 years including having held the following positions:
Emma Henley
Boroondara Branch Convenor (2006-2008)
I am nominating Peter Campbell for Senate preselection because having worked with him in various different roles throughout the party I have come to respect and value his skills as a candidate and campaigner. He is a passionate and enthusiastic candidate with seemingly endless energy to devote to the campaign.
He is truly committed to the Greens’ Charter and Greens’ Policies. I have always been impressed by Peter’s knowledge and thorough understanding of not just our policies but also the wider issues, including being able to reference studies, statistics, facts and stories to support and explain the complexities of an issue. Despite having this wealth of knowledge, Peter is still able to discuss any issue in lay-person terms with everyone from pensioners to teenagers and having a young daughter himself, is able to way lyrical with parents about family issues.
Peter is also a very easy to listen to public speaker with a compelling manner of presenting arguments. Peter has phenomenal grass roots connections with a variety of community groups whom he is able to draw upon in a campaign. He is not afraid of using technology to help get his message across with web-pages, blogs and networking sites.
I have been heavily involved in the party for about 5 years including having held the following positions:
- Candidate for Kew (2006 State Election)
- Cotham Ward Candidate (Boroondara by-election 2007)
- 6th Senate Candidate (2007 Federal Election)
- Boroondara Branch Convenor (2006-2008)
- Victorian Greens Representative at Global Young Greens Conference in Nairobi (2007)
- State Council Eastern Suburbs Regional Council Representative (2006- present day)
- Refounding member of Young Greens (2005-2008)
Sean Hardy
Inner Melbourne branch
The Australian Greens is fortunate to have an enthusiastic, articulate and knowledgeable member in Peter Campbell. I believe that he will make an excellent lead candidate in the next Senate election. He has ample experience as a candidate for election and handles himself staunchly in the face of difficult situations arising during campaigns.
More importantly, Peter has proven himself to be a keen and competent voice in support of Green values. It is common to hear "Peter from Surrey Hills" on ABC talkback making important points on issues such as water use, forestry and sustainable living, as well as seeing his letters printed in the papers.
I am a Member of the Inner Melbourne branch and I have known Peter Campbell since I joined the Greens in 2002. We have spent many years working on State Council together. We were both candidates in the 2004 Federal Election. I was a member of State Executive between 2004 and 2006, co-secretary in 2005, and co-convenor in 2006 –2007.
Jenny Henty
Co-convenor of the Boroondara Greens
Peter Campbell has been active member of the Boroondara Branch of the Greens for many years. Peter has represented our branch on the Eastern Suburbs Regional Council and was a State Councillor for 4 years. He has been a local candidate for both federal and state elections in this area since 2001.
Peter is a committed campaigner on a range of environmental issues, particularly reducing carbon emissions, improving sustainable transport options and forest protection. In these areas he is well researched and articulate in expressing his views in a range of different situations.
He is a good public speaker who can inspire and motivate people. He effectively applies his technical knowledge of electronic communication techniques and understands how to communicate campaign messages through various types of media.
Peter is well-organised, self-motivated, confident and courageous. He is a man of action. He regularly opens his sustainably renovated home to the public for their education and as a fundraiser for various community organisations. Peter contributes effectively to the work of numerous community organisations in his local community and beyond. He volunteers for Bush Search and Rescue Victoria and organises AUDAX bike rides.
I was a founding member of the Boroondara Branch of the Greens and have known Peter for many years. I was Peter’s campaign manager for the federal seat of Kooyong for the 2007 election.
Currently I am co-convenor of the Boroondara Greens. I stood for the electorate of Hawthorn in the 2006 State election. I was a member of the Parliamentary Liaison Group of the Greens from 2007 – 2008 and took on the position of convenor twice during that time.
Lance Harding
Bellarine Branch Secretary
I commend Peter Campbell to you as an excellent lead Senate candidate for the upcoming Senate election. I work with Peter in the energy industry and appreciate his skills, ability and dedication towards both his professional work and his commitment to greens issues, values and politics.
Peter has established a broad base of contacts and skills across our community, and he has a great breadth of knowledge on green issues including climate change, energy and forests.
His community involvement with climate change campaigns and other green issues stands him in good stead to gather the support we need to elect a Greens Senator for Victoria.
The current economic circumstances are causing problems for political leaders and new public demands for action on climate change and managing our transition to a sustainable economy.
Peter would be a Senate candidate that can represent and promote greens policies in these uncertain times and, if elected, guide their implementation as a Victorian Senator.
I have been a member of the Bellarine Branch for 3 years, and am currently the Branch secretary. I have also been the campaign manager during recent elections.
My nomination for preselection
This is my supporting statement as a candidate for preselection as the Greens Lead Senate Candidate for the 2010 Federal election.
I am asking you to support me as the Greens lead senate candidate for the next federal election because I believe that I have the skills, experience and knowledge to campaign well and to be a very strong Greens Senator for Victoria.
I believe this is crucial time in history. We are in a climate emergency, experiencing peak oil, and the global financial system crisis is causing much distress throughout our society and across the globe. I have the skills and experience to articulate these challenges and work collaboratively within both the Greens and the community to develop effective solutions that the Australian public is looking for.
We need to leave behind the petty partisan politics of the old parties and forge a new engagement with the Australian people to revitalise democracy and proactively transition our country to a sustainable future.
I will proactively support and promote Greens policies and values for peace, democracy, care for the environment and social justice. I believe these are vitally important for our shared sustainable future and for social cohesion.
I initiated the Greenlivingpedia.org project in 2007 to provide information, campaign resources and collaboration on green living, green building and green community action in Australia and globally. I am very keen to promote the wider use of information technologies such as wikis, blogs and social networking within the Greens and government to strengthen our democracy and increase grass roots participation.
Our sustainable house renovation, featured on Greenlivingpedia, has been open on several occasions to promote sustainable design, building and energy practices within the community. We have established a permaculture garden as our most recent project.
Many people hoped that the new Federal government would embrace real action on climate change, repeal Work Choices and reverse the racist Northern Territory Intervention inflicted on indigenous Australians. On these issues and others we have been disappointed. It seems the two old parties occupy different sides of the same coin.
The Greens provide a new paradigm and a new politics. We must break the shackles that industry lobby groups have on government. Through power sharing arrangements in the Senate, I and the other Green senators would hold the government of the day to account, as Bob Brown, Rachel Siewert, Christine Milne, Scott Ludlum and Sarah Hanson-Young have been doing so well.
In the longer term, we need to aim to form Australia’s first Green government. This means we need to win lower house seats in addition to electing Senators. A well planned and executed campaign will do both.
I have a thorough knowledge of and commitment to the Australian Greens’ Charter, policies and processes. Running as the Greens candidate for Kooyong in 2001, 2004 and 2007 has provided me with experience and confidence in campaigning, initiating and participating in debates on both local and national issues such as climate change, social policy, energy policy and environmental issues. Our vote increased in each of these elections.
I have also run as a Greens candidate for State Government in two elections. Running for the old upper house seat of East Yarra in 2002, where I achieved 15% vote, provided me with experience similar to a Senate campaign. Our Green Team in this campaign achieved record results in the lower house seats of Hawthorn, Box Hill, Kew and Burwood.
Over these campaigns I have developed the ability to speak in pubic and articulate Greens policies on topics ranging from the Iraq War, to climate change and providing more local kindergarten places for our children.
I have been a Greens member for over 10 years, during which I have gained extensive experience in party processes and mechanisms as a Victorian State Councillor, a member of Eastern Suburbs Regional Council and the local Boroondara and Whitehorse branches and a member and convenor of the Victorian Election Campaign Committee.
I have actively participated in policy development as a long term member of the Forest Working Group. I led the preparation of our revised forest policy statement during the 2006 Victorian State election., during which I ran as the Greens candidate for Box Hill.
I have represented Victoria at national level at the 2005 and 2008 Greens National Conferences as part of our delegate teams, and worked intensively on the National Election Campaign Committee during the 2004 Federal election.
I have developed time management and negotiation skills and good interpersonal skills through both my experience with the Greens, my professional employment, and my work with several volunteer and community groups.
In summary, I believe I will provide leadership on the issues that really matter for the future of Victoria, Australia and the planet. We now have an urgent imperative for this.
I seek your support to be the lead senate candidate for the Greens in Victoria, and after the election, to hopefully be Victoria’s first Greens Senator.
Preselection timeline
I am asking you to support me as the Greens lead senate candidate for the next federal election because I believe that I have the skills, experience and knowledge to campaign well and to be a very strong Greens Senator for Victoria.
We need to tackle the climate emergency
I believe this is crucial time in history. We are in a climate emergency, experiencing peak oil, and the global financial system crisis is causing much distress throughout our society and across the globe. I have the skills and experience to articulate these challenges and work collaboratively within both the Greens and the community to develop effective solutions that the Australian public is looking for.
The old parties have lost the plot, the Greens are the party of the future
We need to leave behind the petty partisan politics of the old parties and forge a new engagement with the Australian people to revitalise democracy and proactively transition our country to a sustainable future.
I will proactively support and promote Greens policies and values for peace, democracy, care for the environment and social justice. I believe these are vitally important for our shared sustainable future and for social cohesion.
My local activities
I have developed a prominent profile in the community on green issues and advocacy, including water conservation, energy policy, climate change, forest protection, public transport and conservation of our natural environment. I have been a regular participant on talkback radio, and have had several letters to the editor published in local, state and national newspapers.
I have been a strong advocate for improved and safer recreational and commuter cycling through my membership and activities with the Boroondara Bicycle User Group.
I have worked extensively with a local climate change action groups and networks. Most recently, I attended the inspiring Climate Change Summit and Day of Action in Canberra and the Australian Climate and Forest Alliance conference preceding it. I am also mindful that policy measures and legislation to address climate change must be carefully designed to avoid disproportionate and unjust impacts on low income households.
I am a self employed independent IT consultant currently working in the energy industry. My work includes providing consulting, management and IT advice on climate change and emissions trading.
I have developed a prominent profile in the community on green issues and advocacy, including water conservation, energy policy, climate change, forest protection, public transport and conservation of our natural environment. I have been a regular participant on talkback radio, and have had several letters to the editor published in local, state and national newspapers.
I have been a strong advocate for improved and safer recreational and commuter cycling through my membership and activities with the Boroondara Bicycle User Group.
I have worked extensively with a local climate change action groups and networks. Most recently, I attended the inspiring Climate Change Summit and Day of Action in Canberra and the Australian Climate and Forest Alliance conference preceding it. I am also mindful that policy measures and legislation to address climate change must be carefully designed to avoid disproportionate and unjust impacts on low income households.
I am a self employed independent IT consultant currently working in the energy industry. My work includes providing consulting, management and IT advice on climate change and emissions trading.
Greenlivingpedia.org for sustainable solutions
I initiated the Greenlivingpedia.org project in 2007 to provide information, campaign resources and collaboration on green living, green building and green community action in Australia and globally. I am very keen to promote the wider use of information technologies such as wikis, blogs and social networking within the Greens and government to strengthen our democracy and increase grass roots participation.
Our sustainable house renovation, featured on Greenlivingpedia, has been open on several occasions to promote sustainable design, building and energy practices within the community. We have established a permaculture garden as our most recent project.
We need to "green up" Australia
Many people hoped that the new Federal government would embrace real action on climate change, repeal Work Choices and reverse the racist Northern Territory Intervention inflicted on indigenous Australians. On these issues and others we have been disappointed. It seems the two old parties occupy different sides of the same coin.
The Greens provide a new paradigm and a new politics. We must break the shackles that industry lobby groups have on government. Through power sharing arrangements in the Senate, I and the other Green senators would hold the government of the day to account, as Bob Brown, Rachel Siewert, Christine Milne, Scott Ludlum and Sarah Hanson-Young have been doing so well.
In the longer term, we need to aim to form Australia’s first Green government. This means we need to win lower house seats in addition to electing Senators. A well planned and executed campaign will do both.
My experience with the Greens
I have a thorough knowledge of and commitment to the Australian Greens’ Charter, policies and processes. Running as the Greens candidate for Kooyong in 2001, 2004 and 2007 has provided me with experience and confidence in campaigning, initiating and participating in debates on both local and national issues such as climate change, social policy, energy policy and environmental issues. Our vote increased in each of these elections.
I have also run as a Greens candidate for State Government in two elections. Running for the old upper house seat of East Yarra in 2002, where I achieved 15% vote, provided me with experience similar to a Senate campaign. Our Green Team in this campaign achieved record results in the lower house seats of Hawthorn, Box Hill, Kew and Burwood.
Over these campaigns I have developed the ability to speak in pubic and articulate Greens policies on topics ranging from the Iraq War, to climate change and providing more local kindergarten places for our children.
I have been a Greens member for over 10 years, during which I have gained extensive experience in party processes and mechanisms as a Victorian State Councillor, a member of Eastern Suburbs Regional Council and the local Boroondara and Whitehorse branches and a member and convenor of the Victorian Election Campaign Committee.
I have actively participated in policy development as a long term member of the Forest Working Group. I led the preparation of our revised forest policy statement during the 2006 Victorian State election., during which I ran as the Greens candidate for Box Hill.
I have represented Victoria at national level at the 2005 and 2008 Greens National Conferences as part of our delegate teams, and worked intensively on the National Election Campaign Committee during the 2004 Federal election.
I have developed time management and negotiation skills and good interpersonal skills through both my experience with the Greens, my professional employment, and my work with several volunteer and community groups.
Some more about me
I have a passion for the outdoors, including bushwalking, cross country skiing, volunteer Search and Rescue for over 25 years, recreational and racing cycling, kitesurfing and revegetating our local South Surrey Park with indigenous plant species.
In summary, I believe I will provide leadership on the issues that really matter for the future of Victoria, Australia and the planet. We now have an urgent imperative for this.
I seek your support to be the lead senate candidate for the Greens in Victoria, and after the election, to hopefully be Victoria’s first Greens Senator.
Preselection timeline
- 9/4/09 Nominations closed
- 23/4/09 Candidates finalised and declared
- 24/4/09 Ballot packs posted to Australian Greens Victoria members
- 22/5/09 Ballots returned to Returning Office, care of State Office
- 25/5/09 Preselection Result announced to party members
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