Democracy
Democracy, Economy, Featured, Green Agenda Journal 2022: Volume Three, Social Justice, Theory
The work of grassroots organising
The browner your skin, the dirtier the work. Chicken factories across Australia are all virtually the same. Lit by fluorescent white lights, smelling of cleaning detergent and death, and socially stratified. Afghan or African workers in the kill rooms, South Asians defeathering. Vietnamese workers in the boning room slicing cuts off carcasses. White folks in the packing room. [...]
Democracy, Economy, Environment, Featured, Green Agenda Journal 2022: Volume Three
Building power to dissolve power
Power won't dissolve itself. We need to dissolve it. Any political strategy towards implementing a Universal Income must work, then, to build political power. Build power… to dissolve power. [...]
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Culture, Democracy, Economy, Featured, Green Agenda Journal 2022: Volume Three
Digital overtime
Much of the infrastructure behind the web, in particular social media, is built upon unpaid work. Unwittingly, we have all become workers for social media companies, a practice that is increasing both exploitation and alienation. In giving our free labour to big tech companies, we are becoming more alienated, both from our labour and our own communities. [...]
Culture, Democracy, Economy, Environment, Featured, Green Agenda Journal 2022: Volume Two, Social Justice, Theory
Green Agenda Journal 2022, Volume 2: On the Ground after the Election
For this issue of Green Agenda we welcome new critical and creative voices, writing from places where left political and ecological commitments are already making a difference. As a decade of liberal-conservative hegemony in government finally breaks, and as we shift to this new post-electoral moment, we also bring together several pieces that reflect on the federal election and the... Read More
Democracy, Environment, Featured, Green Agenda Journal 2022: Volume Two
The fight for East Gippsland’s forests
For many years, protection of ‘old growth forests’ was the key message, now we must protect all remaining forests threatened by logging. The remote town of Goongerah in far-eastern Victoria is a place most people have never heard of. I hadn’t either till the first time I went out there in Winter 2017 for a citizen science survey camp. Yet year... Read More
Democracy, Economy, Featured, Green Agenda Journal 2022: Volume Two
Work for degrowth
With the ‘Greenslide’ and a substantial gain in seats towards holding the balance of power in the Senate, Australian Greens come out of the 2022 federal election stronger and more influential than ever. Similarly, the German Greens gained almost 15 percent of the votes in the September 2021 national elections. They doubled their 2017 election result, even if disappointing those... Read More
Democracy, Economy, Environment, Featured, Green Agenda Journal 2022: Volume Two
Taking power back: Cooperative futures and Earthworker’s ‘Green New Deal from Below’
Earthworker is working towards a cooperative-centred Green New Deal in Australia, socialising energy production and ensuring workers in the industry are empowered and reap the benefits of the energy transition. Though not a top-down Green New Deal, but a ‘Green New Deal from Below’. Australia’s federal election results could finally be the catalyst for a nation-wide consensus to rapidly transition... Read More
Democracy, Featured, Green Agenda Journal 2022: Volume Two, Social Justice
Political ‘experts’ know a lot less than they think they do, and doorknocking works
The recent federal election result was the best in the Greens’ history, delivering an increased national vote share, four federal MPs, and twelve senators. In particular, the result in Queensland – which saw an additional senator elected and the federal lower house seats of Griffith, Ryan, and Brisbane claimed by the Greens – took many by surprise. Queensland has long... Read More
Democracy, Featured, Green Agenda Journal 2022: Volume Two, Social Justice
Election Diary – Never say never
Sunday, 15 May Just under a week until the election and, I have to say, it’s interesting how many people are currently asking me how I am going. Truth is, I am doing well. I have been a preselected candidate now for over a year. That’s been a long, arduous year so only having a week to go feels like... Read More
Democracy, Featured, Green Agenda Journal 2022: Volume Two
Election Diary – The future is Green
21 May, 8am. Footscray High School. Wurundjeri Country. There’s already a significant queue as I arrive. I position myself near the front of the queue and start talking. I love polling booths with queues. Other Greens volunteers have already offered people a how to vote card further down the line, so my job is to talk. I have handed out... Read More
