As an Australian federal election approaches, there’s more talk of Greens in government, so it’s time we discuss what, why and how. What have we achieved so far, and what can we do next? How can we do it differently and better? How can we transform government itself, and how do we risk being changed by it?
Please pitch your abstract for the 2022 Volume 1 edition of Green Agenda – Greens and Government – by Friday, February 25.
The combined major party vote is crashing to historically low levels, to around 70%, and Greens and Independent campaigns are building across the country, making a power-sharing parliament with a large cross-bench a real possibility, if not a likelihood.
The Greens have played an active role in Federal government in Australia once before, holding balance of power in both houses 2010-13. We’ve shared government in the ACT since 2008, with ministries since 2012, and been in government in various forms in Tasmania several times. Greens have also held mayoralties and both minority and majority governments at a local level. And, around the world, Greens are currently sharing government in New Zealand, Germany, Sweden, and many cities and regions.
How do Greens govern?
How should Greens, as a party dedicated to grassroots democracy and opposed to centralised control and coercive power, govern?
What have we managed to achieve in government so far? What have we struggled to (or failed to) achieve? What barriers have we faced?
Do we have a different vision for how government should and could work? How might we transform government by being part of it? Are we succeeding anywhere?
Green Agenda is seeking abstracts that discuss aims and goals for Greens in government, with critical analysis of the story so far, as well as celebrations, with advice, warnings, lessons and ideas for how to make Green government work.
To submit a pitch summarising your piece or idea, of no more than 200 words, fill in our Contributions Form. Please include “2022 Volume 1 Edition Pitch” at the start of your brief. Final written pieces need to be a minimum of 1000 words (1000-2500 words is ideal) or of equivalent contribution if in another medium.
We are pleased to be able to compensate authors for their pieces. Commissioned authors will be paid $200 for their piece.
The deadline for abstracts is 25 February 2022, with approximately three weeks from commission agreement to submit.
As we call for abstracts on this edition, the Green Institute would like to warmly thank co-editors Felicity Gray and Simon Copland for their tremendous work building Green Agenda into the excellent publication it has become. Felicity has stood down, and Simon is completing one final edition alongside Institute Executive Director, Tim Hollo. Both are completing doctoral studies and moving into the next stage of their careers. The Institute will be issuing a call for Expressions of Interest in the editorial position in the coming weeks.