The Australian Greens

The Australian Greens has been described at various times as the fastest growing new party in Australia, its forerunner the United Tasmania Group the first Green party in the world, and its former Leader Bob Brown as a global treasure. The party played a pivotal role after the 2010 federal election in ensuring the Gillard Government was sustained for 3 years. Although battered in the following Abbott landslide election, the party has survived and grown, to become somewhat of a fixture of Australia politics.

However, what do we really know about the Greens in Australia? Is the party really just an extension of the environment movement, or has it matured to a professional party, capable of taking on the ‘big boys'? This book represents an important effort to come to grips with this question, by talking to the people who make the party tick. Who are the members and activists of the party? What do they think about the political and policy winds sweeping Australia in the early 21st century? And has the party made that transition from a home for tree-huggers and alternative lifestylers to a party ready to work in Government?

And the answer must be: yes.

About the Author

Dr Stewart Jackson is a former youth worker, public servant, political operative, and now lecturer in politics at the University of Sydney. Prior to becoming an academic, Jackson was involved in Green politics for 20 years. During that period he worked for the Australian Greens and its MPs as a campaigner, organiser and researcher, and was National Convenor of the party for two years. He is currently researching the development of Green parties in south east and north Asia, and overseeing an ongoing project examining protesters and protest activity in Australia.