For two decades, I wanted to maintain my ‘independence’ by avoiding joining any political party, despite becoming increasingly aware that only The Greens (and a few quality independents) campaigned for enough of my values. So instead, I wasted time regularly wondering why the other parties kept disappointing me and kept becoming less compassionate once they had been elected. This elector seeks effective solutions to global threats like climate change, nuclear proliferation, autonomous weapons, biodiversity losses, excessive waste & toxicity, and gratuitous habitat destruction from my Members of Parliament. Such solutions seem rarely demonstrated in Parliaments (or other legislatures), outside of The Greens (& some quality independent MPs). 

The Greens four cornerstone values are Peace, Grassroots democracy, Social and financial justice, and Environmental sustainability. These cornerstones seem likely to build a worthy political house deserving of my vote and participation. 

I enjoy The Greens publicly exposing the deceptions and untruths of other Parties, and other powerful financial and military interests. Especially when they offer quality replacement policies, to better guide our public servant law makers, and educate our voters. Like Australia’s recent (temporary) bipartisan de-funding of aid to the (suspected) Gaza Genocide victims, and selling of weapons systems to the principle suspect Israel, in contravention of our Genocide Convention commitments, and our morality. 

It is reassuring that The Greens use internal bottom-up democracy and choose wise policies. Like prioritising renewable power generation (and energy storage) based on science and risk management, not popularity/realpolitik, or denial/corruption. Thus, legislating solutions to our worsening climate emergency, the corollary (biodiversity, health, and revenue) crises, and our Climate Treaty obligations. Or like criticizing AUKUS for proliferating nuclear power, subsidizing foreign Military Industrial Complexes, impoverishing Australia for at least three hundred and sixty-eight billion dollars, and de facto removing our democratic choice to avoid the next Unilateral Simplistic Aggressive invasion or power projection exercise. 

I’m proud to have joined The Greens team contesting the 2024 Local Government election and look forward to making quality democracy with you.  

Olivier La Mer-Adair