Australian election and the Green imperative

This weekend Australians will vote in the 2007 Federal election. A vote for the status quo – John Howard’s conservative government – will ensure Australia continues to ignore the global imperative to reduce carbon emissions and its need to behave in an ecologically responsible manner. It was only a matter of months ago that John Howard publicly challenged the notion and validity of climate change and global warming. Not surprisingly the Howard Government will, if re-elected, continue with its plans to mine and export uranium. They have also signalled their clear intention to build nuclear power stations within Australia. Perhaps most alarmingly, the current Government’s policies, which clearly favour large multinationals, have the potential to turn Australian agriculture into one of the world’s largest GMO experiments. Is this the type of leadership sought by those keen to ensure the continued viability of organic agriculture in Australia?

Fortunately we have choices. Both The Australian Greens and the Australian Labor Party present with clear alternatives to the current Government. The Australian Greens website and also the Labor Government’s Kevin 07 website are worthwhile checking out. I found the blog post detailing conversations with voters turning to Kevin 07 to be interesting. However, of particular relevance to those of you interested in the future of organic agriculture in Australia will be the Green’s policy on genetically engineered organisms in Australian Agriculture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ys4SPNimuA

Does Australia need leadership that goes beyond myopic self-interest? I think so. If you checked out Bob Brown’s speech above, which was delivered at the recent Walk Against Warming held in Sydney, I think you’ll gain a sense of why we need the Greens to play a more prominent role in Canberra this time around. However, Bob’s right of course – it’s a seismic change that’s needed. But we can do it.