Green Issue July 2003 12pp - iiNet

GREEN ISSUE
social justice - peace and non-violence - participatory democracy - environmental sustainability
NEWSLETTER OF THE GREENS (WA)
Vol 11 no 4 August 2003
Bountiful Barrow Island, about 70 km off WA’s north-west coast,
is a ruggedly beautiful, internationally significant refuge for some
of WA’s most threatened species. WA’s second-largest island,
Barrow has an impressive array of environmental values that,
without a concerted effort to regulate and limit human access, will
be jeopardised or lost forever.
Threats posed by the Gorgon proposal
There is currently a proposal by ChevronTexaco, the project operator
of the Gorgon Venture to establish a $6 billion industrial gas
processing plant and equipment on the island. This is far beyond the
level of activity presently occurring on Barrow Island. The proposed
Gorgon level of human industrial activity poses many threats, perhaps
the most worrying is the dramatic increase in the likelihood of invasive
plant and animal organisms infesting the island.
There are 24 known animal species or subspecies that occur only
on Barrow Island. This exceptional assemblage of endemic species
includes five mammal species, two reptile species, one bird species
and 16 species of invertebrate.
The island is also a refuge for the magnificent Perentie, the
world’s second largest lizard.
A refuge from mainland pressures
Rising sea levels separated Barrow Island from the mainland
approximately 6-7,000 years ago.
‘Discovered’ by Europeans in 1818, it was under relatively little
pressure to be used for grazing because it had so few permanent
water holes. That relative absence of human intervention allowed
for the maintenance of its environmental values and, in 1910,
Barrow Island was declared an A Class Nature Reserve.
Recent history
Barrow Island first came to public prominence with Harry Butler’s
“In the Wild” programs on the ABC in the mid 1970s. It has also been
under the sustainability microscope since the 1950s, when developers
were allowed strictly controlled access to the nature reserve to explore
for oil. Since production began in 1967, over 800 wells have been
drilled, with 455 still producing today.
There has not yet been a comprehensive, independent study as
to whether the presence of a producing oil field has or will
jeopardise this sensitive area or has potentail to do so. While there
are signs of degradation, it can be said that the island’s ecology has
been relatively unharmed by feral animals and weeds, which have
been the scourge of mainland ecosystems.
In many ways Barrow Island is a living record of how mainland
Australia might have been prior to European ‘development’.
Rescue Barrow Island - WA’s Ark
Terrestrial environment
To date 350 plant species have been recorded on Barrow Island.
The vegetation on Barrow is not only very different from that of the
Pilbara, but it is also different from any other island off the Pilbara
coast. One flora species, Corchorus interstans, is listed under the Wildlife
Conservation Act. Despite the oil industry’s existing quarantine
procedures, 13 environmental weed species are known to have
occurred on Barrow, with at least six species still remaining.
But Barrow Island’s real environmental asset is its terrestrial and
subterranean fauna. An absence of cats and foxes has allowed the
island to remain a haven for a number of species that are
extinct on the mainland, or whose populations have declined
there.
Barrow supports 14 species of terrestrial mammals, six of which
have special Federal and/or State conservation listings – the
Barrow Island Boodie (burrowing bettong), Barrow Island Golden
Bandicoot, Barrow Island Spectacled Hare-Wallaby, Barrow Island
Euro, Black-flanked Rock-Wallaby and the Moolboo (Barrow
Island Mouse). All but the Black-footed Rock-Wallaby occur
nowhere else in the world.
Barrow Island is also the only home of the Barrow Island Black
and White Fairy Wren, which is on Federal and State threatened
species lists. Over 100 other bird species have been recorded on
Barrow, onf which 32 are known to breed there. In addition, at
least 53 species of seabirds use the island.
Eleven of the 28 species of subterranean invertebrate fauna
known on Barrow, such as the Barrow Island Millipede, are listed
under the Wildlife Conservation Act. A comprehensive study of
the species and distributions of subterranean fauna on Barrow
Island has never been undertaken and is urgently needed.
Marine environment
Barrow Island is home to mangroves and regionally significant
coral communities and intertidal flats – some of these areas are
likely to be specially protected within the proposed Barrow-
Montebello Islands Conservation Reserve. Whales, dolphins
and dugongs live in, or migrate through, the surrounding waters.
Green, flatback and hawksbill turtles nest on Barrow’s beaches.
Sustainability Assessment
The State Government has recently released for public comment a
package of information ‘Consideration of Access to Barrow Island
for Gas Development – Advice for Government’s Environmental,
Social, Economic and Strategic Deliberations’ this is part of a quaintly
named strategic assessment process or sustainability assessment the
result of which will be an in principle decision by Government on
whether it is in the public interest for the Gorgon Venture to be
given access to the Barrow Islands as the location for a gas processing
GREEN ISSUE - 1

What we are seeking
The Greens (WA) are seeking equity in the form of the same dollar
value of staff support as currently enjoyed by another minor party in
the Legislative Assembly. The Public Sector Management Act 1994
currently specifies a requirement for five members, which we have.
However, that section of the Act refers to the Legislative Assembly
and our five MPs sit in the Legislative Council, thus technically
excluded from the provision of the Act.
Rationale
The equitable remedy sought in the form of party status would
enable our hard working Greens MLCs to avail of an equal and
appropriate level of support in the form of resources to employ
much-needed extra staff and expertise, eg: administrative, legal and
media personnel
The fact of the Greens being in a balance of power situation has
placed an additional burden on the MLCs and their staff. Holding the
balance of power means that our MLCs must scrutinise every single
piece of legislation that comes before the House. They also have
their committee work to undertake and, of course, their obligation
to service their electorates.
The Premier has discretionary power over staffing levels
Under the Public Sector Management Act 1994, the Premier of the day
has the discretion to allocate extra staff to electorate offices. For
example, Richard Court responded to our request for increased staffing
levels in 1997, by approving the allocation of part time Research
Officers - to all party electorate offices in the State.
Rescue Barrow Island... continues
plant. The package contains advice from the
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA),
advice from the Conservation Commission
and a advice on social, economic and strategic
considerations from the Allen Consulting
Group.
The EPA says “Given the very high
environmental and unique conservation values
of Barrow Island, which are reflected in its
status as a class A nature Reserve, it is the
view of the EPA that, as a matter of principle,
industry should not be located on a nature
reserve and specifically not on Barrow Island.”
The Conservation Commission say “The
Commission advice is that Government
should not approve the location construction
and operation of any gas processing plant on
Barrow Island Nature Reserve.”
The Next Ningaloo?
Barrow Island’s unique conservation and
environmental values make it an unacceptable
location for the Gorgon gas processing
facility. Barrow Island, a unique A class
Nature Reserve, is no place to be building
industrial plants. This level of human
exploitation is incompatible with the very
2 - GREEN ISSUE
PARTY TIME
Party Status for The Greens (WA)
definition of a nature reserve which
specifically excludes human exploitation.
There is a campaign building to protect Barrow
from development. The Government is
scheduled to make an in principle decision
about access to the island later on this year,
with many people concerned that the sheer
size of the Greater Gorgon gas reserves will
distract the Government from a proper
sustainability assessment of the project.
How can you help?
The Conservation Council of WA is stepping
up its efforts to conserve the environmental
values of Barrow Island. Please take the time
to do one or more of the following:
Party Status
Upon the election of our five Greens to the Legislative Council, we
commenced correspondence with the Premier, Dr Gallop on the
issue of gaining party status.
Our first letter to the Premier was in March 2001. Despite ongoing
promises of legislative change in respect of party status, nothing has
eventuated.
In fact, the Premier’s most recent response overtly links the issue of
party status for the Greens, to the Government’s desire for smooth
passage of their legislation through the Legislative Council.
We believe that the staffing of electorate offices should not be a
discretionary political decision.
The Greens propose legislative change to grant Party Status
Current legislation grants party status to the WA National Party as
they have the required five members in the Legislative Assembly
(they have one member in the Legislative Council).
We believe that legislative amendments must be implemented to
grant the Greens the same financial benefits.
In that regard, we have written to the Salaries & Allowances Tribunal
seeking their advice on, and support for, our preferred legislative
amendments.
We have also suggested that the staffing of electorate offices should
not be a discretionary political decision but determined by an
independent body such as the Tribunal.
How can members help? Please write to the Premier in support of
our case.
1. write to or email the Environment
Minister, Dr Judy Edwards, to
emphasise Barrow Island’s significance
and ask how Barrow Island’s
environmental values will be
conserved in the future
2. write to or email the Premier, Dr
Geoff Gallop, to emphasise Barrow
Island’s significance and ask that he
take the same considered approach to
potential developments on Barrow
Island he took with the Ningaloo
decision
3. volunteer your time and expertise at
the Conservation Council
4. make a tax deductible donation to the
Conservation Council.
Who should I contact?
for biodiversity values:
Cameron Poustie (08) 9420 7272
Biodiversity Officer, Conservation Council
cameron.poustie@conservationwa.asn.au
for campaign information:
Rachel Siewert (08) 9420 7266
Coordinator, Conservation Council
rachel.siewert@conservationwa.asn.au

Challenging Agenda for Sustainability Launched
The WA Collaboration, a historic partnership of not-for-profit
organisations from social and environmental perspectives, recently
launched the Community Sustainability Agenda: Creating a
Just and Sustainable Western Australia.
The Community Sustainability Agenda (CSA) was developed through an
extensive community involvement process around Western Australia
and a Sustainability Summit held in February this year.
“We believe that our process goes some way towards capturing the
diversity of voices and perspectives in the Western Australian
community on the most important social and environmental
challenges we face and some of the ways of addressing those issues,”
said Nicole Hodgson, Coordinator of the WA Collaboration.
The CSA builds on the outcomes from the ten workshops across the
State and the Sustainability Summit. Workshops were held between
Albany and Kununurra to gather ideas on what sustainability means
for West Australians. The Sustainability Summit followed on from
these workshops, allowing the ideas from the workshops to be
explored in more detail. Almost 400 participants contributed to this
consultation process.
The CSA sets out 47 recommendations in ten sections, primarily
addressing the institutional reform and new programs that
Government will need to adopt to achieve a ‘just and sustainable
Western Australia’.
We call on you for assistance:
Do you know that women and children in Western Australia have
been forced out of their homes for no reason at all? There is no
charge against them. They have committed no offence. They have
been refused entry back into their homes by the Governmentappointed
Administrator.
Geoff Gallop, the Premier of Western Australia, has changed his
Parliamentary laws to kick Nyungah People out of the Swan Valley
Nyungah Community, their own Home which is their Sacred Land.
He is forcing them to leave the Spirits of their Ancestors, their
Mother, their Brothers, their Daughters and Granddaughters and
Grandsons behind them.
- Our Sacred Land of our Ancestors and our Homes that we
designed and built ourselves were taken from us on l3 June,
2003 by Premier Gallop’s Special Act of Parliament (Reserves
[Reserve 43131] Act), which is unprecedented in Australia.
- The People of Saunders Street Aboriginal Community of
Henley Brook took us in on a temporary basis.
- We are living in very small caravans only three paces in one
direction with no running water, where we have to walk a fair
way to toilets in the dark.
- Other families are living not in their rightful homes but in
cramped-up cold conditions. We are isolated.
- We have begun legal action in the Federal Court through Greg
McIntyre and Dwyer Durack because our basic human rights
have been taken away.
COMMUNITY
“Some of the issues that the CSA deals with include areas that
Government seem reluctant to deal with in their State Sustainability
Strategy,” said Nicole Hodgson.
“These include dealing with the increasing gap between the
rich and poor in our society, the reduction of consumption
and making the necessary structural changes to government
to be able to deal with sustainability.”
The CSA has been submitted to the State Sustainability Strategy as
part of the Government’s consultation process. In addition, copies
of the CSA are sent around the State, to interested groups and
individuals, Members of Parliament and Government Departments.
“With the release of the Community Sustainability Agenda, the WA
Collaboration is calling on the Gallop Government to follow up on
their election promises and demonstrate that this Government has a
genuine commitment to sustainability,” said Coordinator, Nicole
Hodgson.
“As the State Government finalises its Sustainability Strategy over
the next couple months, the WA Collaboration will be watching
closely to make sure that the Strategy actually delivers some genuine
and significant reforms to ensure a more just and sustainable future
for Western Australia.”
An appeal from the Swan Valley Nyungah Community
- We need to challenge this Law that denies natural justice and
the right for judicial review. This Law flies in the face of the
Australian ‘Fair Go’.
- All up we need $20,000 for the Federal Court Case to challenge
Gallop’s draconian legislation. We have already raised $10,000.
We desperately need to raise another $10,000 for this challenge.
We urgently and seriously ask you to help us in any way
you can with finding the rest of the money needed for the
federal court case.
All donations for the Federal Court Case can be mailed to:
SVNC TRUST ACCOUNT
C/- Dwyer Durack Lawyers
10th Flr, 40 St. Georges Terrace
Perth WA 6000 Thank you,
The Swan Valley Nyungah Community
C/- PO Guildford WA
GREEN ISSUE - 3

“Before you’ve finished your breakfast this morning, you’ll have relied on half
the world” - Martin Luther King.
An interesting thought … and a depressing one, when you realise that
those people you’ve relied on for your coffee and muesli are almost
certainly being exploited and oppressed by the unfair power balance
in world trade. But what can you do? Surely it’s beyond your control?
Wrong. You can buy fair trade products, and you can join Oxfam in
its campaign to “Make Trade Fair”.
“Working in the factory is hard. We are not well treated. If we become sick
we have no protection. Do people in your country think about our condition when
they buy the shirts we make?” Nawaz Hazari, a sewing machine operator
in Bangladesh - making shirts for Europe and American retail chains.
Machinists earn $1- $1.50 for a 14 hour day.
Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign gives a voice to the farmers,
labourers, and factory workers who are being cheated by the blatantly
unfair rules of world trade. And it gives a voice to you, the consumer,
if you want to join them in the call to end exploitation and Make
Trade Fair.
Oxfam believes that world trade could be a powerful force for poverty
reduction. Many poor people could work themselves out of poverty
by selling their products to rich countries at a decent price. So what’s
stopping them? The shocking injustice of the world trade
system.
International trade conjures images of big multinational companies,
rivalries between economic superpowers, and impenetrable
negotiations at the World Trade Organisation. But for millions of
people trade isn’t just an abstract notion. The terms on which they
participate in world markets can determine whether or not their
families have enough to eat, whether they can afford to send their
children to school, and whether their basic employment rights are
respected.
“The price of coffee is destroying this community. Now I can’t even pay to keep
my children is school. How can I send them to school when I can’t even feed them
well?” Tatu Museyni, a coffee farmer in Tanzania. (In 1998 Tatu was
4 - GREEN ISSUE
WORLD NOOSE
Join the Big Noise to Make Trade Fair
paid $1.80 a pound for her coffee. Two years later, after a fall in
world prices, she got just 55 cents a pound).
Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign is calling on governments,
institutions, and multinational companies to change the rules so that
trade can become part of the solution to poverty, not part of the
problem. Oxfam aims to work alongside others to build the kind of
movement that has brought an end to apartheid, banned the use of
landmines, and made real progress in reducing Third World debt. We
believe that if this campaign succeeds, the lives of poor communities
could be transformed in a way never seen before.
There has never been a better time to tackle the roots of
world poverty. Developing countries have had enough of being
used, abused, and drained by unfair trade relationships with rich
countries who set the rules. They are starting to fight back for
agreements that work for them. Some rich countries are beginning to
question the sustainability of a situation that generates riches for the
few and poverty for the many.
Producers in the South are speaking out against the impossible
conditions that they are finding themselves working under. In the
North, there is growing awareness and anger among consumers about
the exploitation involved in bringing goods to their supermarket
shelves and high street shops. Finally - and crucially - the rules are
now up for negotiation. In the next few years the World Trade
Organisation will make decisions that will have a huge impact on the
lives of millions of people around the world, for better or for worse.
Public pressure is vital to ensure that a fairer set of rules – one that
makes trade work for everyone - is agreed. If we can make the
biggest noise in history, with voices from every part of the world, we
can force changes in the rules of trade.
ACT Now!!
Please add your name to the Big Noise by signing and returning the
enclosed brochure to Oxfam. We aim to have 3 million names to
take to the next World Trade Organisation meeting in
September 2003.

The Greens (WA) Animal Welfare Working Group (AWWG) has
been formed and held its inaugural meeting on 17 May 2003.
Current intensive farming practices involved in raising animals for
food contribute significantly to environmental degradation as
well as causing unnecessary suffering for the animals. Billions of
animals are exploited to feed and clothe humans, to test products
and to provide us with ‘entertainment’.
The Greens are committed to raising the status of non-human animals
within the community and to providing them with greater protection
under the law. We will work towards reducing society’s reliance on
animals, and towards engendering an ethic of care and respect.
The Group’s stated aims are:
1. To raise the profile of GWA animal welfare polices:
(a) within GWA
(b) with local animal rights and welfare groups
(c) with the public
2. To develop strategies as to how individuals can support GWA
animal welfare policies
3. To form alliances with local animal welfare groups with a view
to parliamentary questions and possible legislation in this area.
Oxfam is calling for:
- Rich countries to remove barriers to imports
for all low-income countries.
- A comprehensive ban on agricultural export
subsidies, which would end the cycle of
over-production and export dumping by rich
countries.
- An end to the practice of attaching
conditions to IMF-World Bank loans, which
force poor countries to open their markets
regardless of the impact on poor people.
- Action to stabilise prices for primary
commodities at higher levels, and pay more
to small farmers.
- Fair patent rules which ensure that poor
countries are able to afford new
technologies and basic medicines, and that
farmers are able to save, exchange, and sell
seeds.
- Better employment standards, especially for
women.
- A more democratic World Trade
Organisation which gives poor countries a
stronger voice.
- Governments in the developing world to
adopt national and regional policies that
help poor people to access markets and
benefit from trade.
UP DATES
Animal Welfare Working Group
ACT NOW
TO FIGHT
POVERTY
25 million coffee farmers & their families currently
face economic ruin because of rigged trade rules.
Visit www.maketradefair.com
The Hard Facts
- One billion people live in poverty.
- If Africa, East Asia, South Asia and Latin
America each increased their share of world
exports by just one per cent, they could lift
128 million people out of poverty.
- In Africa alone, this one per cent increase in
the share of world trade would generate
$70 billion - five times what the continent
gets in aid.
- More than 40 per cent of the world’s
population live in low-income countries -
yet these countries account for just three
per cent of world trade.
The Animal Welfare Working Group is at present reviewing Greens
(WA) Animal Welfare Policy and we invite comment from the
membership of Greens (WA) on policy and other animal welfare
matters. We can be contacted at the Greens (WA) office:
Email office@wa.greens.org.au
Fax 9470 5937
Phone 9470 9227 between 12 noon and 4pm on Fridays
The AWWG meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month at 1:30 at
Environment House 61/8th Avenue, Maylands. All Greens (WA)
members welcome.
Linda Simonis
- For every dollar given to poor countries in
aid, they lose two dollars to rich countries
because of unfair trade barriers against their
exports.
- When exporting to rich countries, producers
in poor countries pay tariffs that are four
times higher than those paid by producers
in other rich countries.
- Coffee prices have fallen by 70 per cent
since 1997, costing exporters in poor
countries $8 billion.
- Rich countries spend $1 billion a day on
agricultural subsidies, putting farmers in
poor countries out of business and driving
down their income.
- A Ghanaian cocoa farmer only gets 1.2 per
cent of the price we pay for a bar of
chocolate. Between 1996 and 2000 Ghana
increased cocoa production by almost a
third but was paid a third less.
- About one-third of manufacturing workers
in developing countries are women. They
earn about 25 per cent less than their male
colleagues.
- Increased patent protection will cost
developing countries $40 billion each year.
The new rules were designed by the
transnationals that stand to reap the benefits.
GREEN ISSUE - 5

Brand
Mick Banovic
Bruno De Palva
Ken Goodman
Lee Groome
Les Mclaughlan
Linda Mclaughlan
Patricia Swannell
Jim Williams
Canning
John Blahusiak
Brett Clarke
Douglas Clifford
Teri Goldsworthy
Brian Gordon
Lilias Gordon
Helens Gunderson
Denise Hardie
Erin MacFarlane
Graham Stewart
Virginia Wells
Curtin
Sheelagh Akerman
Peter Akerman
Trish Bevan
Tom Bontes
Matthew Bradley
Veronica Brady
Clare Brassil
Bob Bredemeyer
Don Campbell
Andrew Cartmel
Andrew Cook
Brigit Cosgrove
Norman Cox
Phoebe Coyne
Ian Crawford
Lindsay Dodd
Luke Dudney
Dan Elvey
Howard Flinders
Robert Frith
Mirek Generowicz
Reg Gillard
Ross Green
Stephanie Green
Ramon Gregory
6 - GREEN ISSUE
RE MEMBER ANCE
New Members and Those Welcomed Back
Suzanne Hicks
Humphrey Hollins
Lyn Jenkins
Lisette Kaleveld
Ross Kennedy
Philippa Lane
Leo Leriche
Victor Leonzini
Bryan Liddington
Paul Markov
Nancy Meehan
Simon McGarvie
Tony Mitchell
Tony Noakes
David Nourish
Catherine O’Connell
Andrew Outhwaite
Anna Ranson
Desiree Raymond
Bruce Robinson
Lincoln Rose
John Saunders
Keir Sooby
Carly Steele
Emily Staaden
Cheryl Stedman
Jemma Tyley
Thomas Wilson
Kristy Winn
Fremantle
Michael Alpers
Jane Balme
Alison Berger
John Berger
Phianne Berger
Brenda Chapman
Louise Corteen
Louise Cullen
Helen Coleman
Bob Colleran
Evan Combe
Matthew Davey
Charles Ellis
John Farrell
Karen Henry
Irene Hill
Elizabeth Hogben
Andrew Huntley
Peter James
Chris Kennedy
Graham Kershaw
Peter Koffel
Julia Lawrinson
DeeDee Lovering
Jane Maywood
Steve Needham
Mary MacDonald
Nicholas McNair
Mark Millard
Annie Otness
Ole Otness
Stephen Pickup
Claudio Silvano
Niall Tallon
Ally Nieman
Candice Trevor
Hasluck
Catherine Akasha
Helen Baharom
Richard Corless
Toni Crossland
Steven Frost
Bill McClurg
Thomas Mason
Clare Molloy
Tony Muir
Anastasia Nardi
Irene Olsen
Kris Soord
Moore/Cowan
Michael Anderson
Vera Borg
Glen Buder
Carolyn Buder
Brian Camden
Voon-Li Chung
Tamara Desiatov
Janet Forster
Mario Gismondi
Bill Hawthorn
Julie Hawthorn
Werner Herrmann
Stephen Hill
June 2002
Katrina Jones
Thor Kerr
Thelma Kitson
Marilyn Loveday
Rizal Mahjuddin
Linda Marshall
Tanyia Maxted-Frost
Timothy Minchin
Sean Monahan
Ann Morgan
David Nel
Graham Pearson
Shivan Ponnusamy
Olivia Perreau
Barry Redhead
Bernard Terry
Robin Terry
Jason Vecchio
Gary Wood
Pearce
Sandra Alderson
Mark Alderson
Jenny Cornish
Hywel Driver
Linda Epton
Anthony Epton
Claire Lieb
Denise Hewitt
Janette Liddelow
Helen Lynes
Bernard Mahon
Juliet Marillier
Miriam Moore
Betty Palmer
Peta Rakela
Peter Valentine
Nives Walker
Perth
Helen Allen
Redmond Bridgeman
Jess Bridges
Nos Doughty
Serena Fletcher
Glen George
Dale Irving
Kevin Johnson

June 2003
Carmelo Lenzo
Jeff Lormans
Peter Mathie
Simon Matthews
Patrick McAuliffe
Caro Nye
Lindy Patrick
Alison Sexton-Green
Sophia Stafford
Dianne Steedman
John Taylor
Nathan Tetlaw
Bonnita Travers
Peter Veitch
Cathy Wheel
Ben Wilkins
Matthew Xion
Stirling
Paul Barnes
Rod Bercov
Yvonne Bercov
Karen Breen
Jane Coffey
Rick Dunn
Annie Dunn
Mark Edwards
Pamela Elvery
Vaughan Gleeson
Pamela Jackson
John Lapuma
Keith Oliver
Andrew Owens
Julie Owens
David Palmer
Cheryl Pearmine
Joe Richmond
Charles Roche
Wafah Susli
Chris Twomey
Michael Waters
Swan
Kevin Bettridge
Bridget Blackford
Vicki Bosworth
John Bowden
Neil Chapman
RE MEMBER ANCE
New Members and Those Welcomed Back
Vivienne Elanta
Collyn Gawned
Wayne Glendenning
Sally Glendenning
Stuart Gunning
Russell Hanley
Mike Harapeet
Peter Hewitt
Wunneenatd Intararangson
Paul Kabay
Pidor Kabay
Claire Kaylock
Wayne Larkin
Michele Lord
Arthur Millar
James Milligan
Bruce Mohan
Helen Moss
Alex Mutch
Ron Mutton
Anne Pettit
Susan Robertson
Jan Sooby
Cameron Tero
Stephen Wolff
Bronwyn York
Tangney
Fred Coombs
Noelle Dawson
Aureen Donaldson
Andrew Duckett
Kathleen Freeman
Tim Johnson
Dusanka Koljibabic
Slobodan Koljibabic
Tse Chee Loo
Keith Matthews
Richard Maynier
Teik Oh
Asha Pond
Michael Sargeant
Fiona Scarff
Deidre Stanton
South-West
John Austin (Quinninup)
Annie Brett (Busselton)
Mike Browning (Bridgetown)
Alison Cassanet (Busselton)
Michael Cassanet (Busselton)
Bud Coe (Lower King)
Bev Collett (Nannup)
Jay Cook (Albany)
Mazie Finch (Augusta)
Kath Flockton (Bridgetown)
David Forshaw (Albany)
Michelle Franton (Albany)
Neil Guazzelli (Bridgetown)
Samele Haell (Narrikup)
JDiane Harwood (Denmark)
David Hohnen (Margaret River)
Gosta Hook (Lower King)
Julie Hook (Lower King)
Anne-Marie Horwitz (Albany)
John Maddison (Lower King)
Carolyn McGinty (Nannup)
Darren Pace (Dunsborough)
Neil Pemberton-Ovens (Balingup)
Kim Redman (Bridgetown)
Frank Rijavec (Albany)
Janet Ristic (Bridgetown)
Sheryl Roberts(Denmark)
Ann-Louise Sargison (Windy Harbour)
Peta Sargison (Northcliffe)
Gary Schwab (Denmark)
Wendy Schwab (Denmark)
Jill Warnock (Yallingup)
Tom Whitaker (Denmark)
Deidre Wickham (Allanson)
Deborah Wilkins (Busselton)
Heather Williams (Denmark)
Shona Verity (Denmark)
O’Connor
Reg Kelly (Geraldton)
Gary Nixon (Geraldton)
Kirstin Chester (Geraldton)
Kalgoorlie
David Burton (Halls Creek)
Diane Mills (Kalgoorlie)
Lawrence Mills (Kalgoorlie)
Paul Harris (Kalgoorlie)
Rae Price (Broome)
Tony Dews (Newman)
GREEN ISSUE - 7

8 - GREEN ISSUE
NATIONAL LIASON WORKING GROUP
Lynn MacLaren
Progress Report on Ballot to Join the Australian Greens
Preparations are underway for a 5th of September ballot on the
question of joining the Australian Greens.
The National Liaison Working Group met last week to hash out
concerns from ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ case groups (including ‘Yes, but…’
concerns). Our aim is to eliminate areas of contention and confusion.
We reached an agreement to prepare a ballot paper that incorporates
our understanding of how we’d relate to the Australian Greens.
We’ll ask the Australian Greens to consider this before we ballot and
give an indication of whether it reflects their understanding of their
constitution and working relationships. We’re hoping this will address
concerns raised by some about our autonomy.
The Working Group is divided between those who think autonomy
is already guaranteed by both Constitution and practice, and those
who think it needs to be more explicit.
It is encouraging that we are debating ‘How’ to join, rather than
‘Why’.
It has been suggested that we are not in a position to ask the Australian
Greens for further concessions. In 1998 a lengthy process identified
several changes we wanted. The Australian Greens’ answer was to
implement the changes. These changes were not contingent on us
joining. We subsequently balloted our members and determined not
to join. The result was 5 or 7 votes shy of the 75% majority required.
Arguably it would be better if we could use a consensus process to
decide to either join or remain separate. However, according to our
Constitution, matters like this that require constitutional change,
also require a ballot of all members and 75% support. So, the ballot
is necessary, as is an explanation
of the constitutional amendment.
A ‘Yes, but…’ option may be
confusing in such a ballot. The
National Liaison Working Group
has brought people with a range
of different views together, and
is ensuring that the information is
as full and accurate as possible.
At this stage the group is planning
to put out some background
information with the ballot
papers that all sides agree upon,
so that members have sufficient
information to make a decision.
As a concession to those who want to ensure that, if all is not well,
we have a lower threshold for leaving the Australian Greens, the
Working Group has agreed to relax the ballot requirements for making
the decision to leave. The proposed new clause in our Constitution
says we can leave the Australian Greens by a ballot of all members
with support of 50% +1.
The Process So Far and History to Ballot
The Greens (WA) Representatives’ Council decided on 9 April 2002
that a ballot should be held after the Australian Greens’ Constitutional
Review and before the next Federal election. On 10 May 2003 Reps
Council agreed to a 19 July ballot. In June about 35 members attended
the general meeting exploring the issues. Even after three hours we
felt there was more to learn (photo).
The ‘No’ case convenors suggested we delay the ballot. A proposal to
put it back another two weeks was supported by the general meeting
and circulated to regional groups. Then a counter proposal appeared
on the email – again from authors of the ‘No’ case – proposing a
further delay to September.
The ‘No’ case authors developed proposed by-laws to the Australian
Greens Constitution. In conjunction with Kate Davis and Ben Stanwix,
I developed a response which detailed why they were not necessary -
as we believe that the Australian Greens’ constitution already ensures
state autonomy (see Reps minutes/contact Lynn to get a copy). Reps
council felt that given the detailed analysis of the Australian Greens
Constitution that had been undertaken, the whole party would benefit
from these two groups have more discussion about the constitutional
and practical impacts of joining. For this reason Reps council agreed
to support the counter proposal for a delay and set a date for a
September 5 ballot and reconstituted the National Liaison Working
Group.
Ballot results will be known before the Australian Greens
National Conference on 11-12 October. The next meeting of the
National Council is set for March 2004.
If you feel strongly about this issue and want to get involved
please contact: ‘YES’ case convenor - Giz 9201 0582
‘NO’ case convenor - J. J. 9472 8621
For more information and the date of the next National Liaison Working
Group contact Lynn on 9336 1991.

As you probably already know, the Premier, Dr Geoff Gallop recently
announced that he would not approve the marina resort proposed
for Mauds Landing on the Ningaloo Reef.
Surrounded by a large, ecstatic group of people from the region, the
Premier said, “Today, we have drawn a line in the sand and
declared that we will not accept developments that threaten
this precious and fragile coast.”
The decision represents a victory for common sense and the tens of
thousands of reasonable people who made the effort to support the
Save Ningaloo Campaign. The campaign urged Government to take
seriously the overwhelming scientific opinion mounted against the
proposal and to pursue smart, sustainable development.
Relief and optimism - but don’t
peal off the bumper sticker
just yet ...
The announcement was met with
a great sense of relief by weary
campaigners. After such a long and
intense battle it took quite a while
for the news to sink in but now
that it has, a real sense of optimism
is emerging about Ningaloo’s
future. The Premier’s decision
signals an end to the era of
unplanned, ad hoc development.
Countless messages from the
region are reinforcing this
sentiment and judging by the flow
of messages to the Premier
through the campaign, his decision
has been received exceptionally
well by Western Australians across
the board and by international
tourists too.
The community will be watching
very closely to make sure the
Government does not waver from
its commitments.
FISHY FISHY FISH
A fresh start for Ningaloo - planning for one of the
world’s last great wild places
A close examination of the history of the marina proposal revealed
that the government did not follow the proper planning process back
in the 1980s. There wasn’t even a land use plan for Ningaloo then.
That is why the Save Ningaloo Campaign was not just about stopping
the inappropriate marina proposal but also about installing the right
process; good planning (what kinds of development should happen
and where) and management to support it (how to guide and regulate
people’s activities).
Protected by its isolation until only recently, Ningaloo is still in very
good condition - particularly given the poor condition of many of the
world’s other reefs. We came alarmingly close to setting off down a
track that could have led to dire environmental and economic
A Line in the Sand for Ningaloo
consequences. But by better managing existing pressures, and by
applying 21st century technologies and practices to future development,
there is every reason to be optimistic about the region’s future.
That optimism and the enormous energy that has been poured into
pulling back from the wrong track can now be channelled towards
taking the first confident steps down the wise one. We need
development guidelines based on
what the environment can tolerate
(which means listening to
scientists).
This will provide solid
foundations for a range of
outstanding, low impact
experiences for visitors with
different interests and budgets.
What do you think should
happen at Ningaloo?
As part of its promise to respond
to the tourism pressures of the
region, the Government has
released a report called “Future
Directions: Sustainable Tourism
and Land Use Scenarios for the
Carnarvon Ningaloo Coast.” This
document lays out several options
for development from Carnarvon
in the south, up to Exmouth. To
find out more, visit:
www.ningaloocoast.wa.qov.au
or to get a hard copy of the report
ring the infoline: 1800 626 477
or email: carnarvonningaloo@dpi.wa.gov.au
Simultaneously we must make sure the Government follows through
soon on its commitment to sort out Coral Bay’s problems. Installing a
proper sewerage system and progressing work on the alternative boating
facility is a solid start.
The Save Ningaloo Campaign has been working on broader issues for
a long time now and needs to continue to advocate for sustainability.
Please continue to support its efforts and keep a close eye on our
website: www.SaveNingalooReef.org to stay informed.
GREEN ISSUE - 9

... on Joining The Australian Greens
By Robert Barnacle (Pearce Greens Member)
The Greens (WA) see the need for a co-operative national approach
by the Green movements throughout Australia. To remove the present
public confusion on the issue, and to recognise that the numerous
members of the various Green parties in fact ARE the Australian
Greens, it is suggested that the State Parties change their names to
Australian Greens Q, Australian Greens NSW, Australian Greens
WA etc. with a common logo. Working Groups with representatives
in each State would be set up which, by electronic communication,
would develop, in the usual way, National Policies on National issues
such as, Population, Immigration, Quarantine, Customs, Foreign
Affairs, Defence etc.
To set up a separate, centralised bureaucracy, calling itself the
Australian Greens, with its own Constitution, is unnecessary,
cumbersome, expensive, time wasting, a misuse of scarce resources
and a gift to those ego-driven people bent on empire building. It also
runs counter to Greens’ Principles which acknowledge the value of
diversity. Furthermore, for each State Party to now have to write an
additional set of by-laws in order to secure their own independence,
will result in the farcical situation where the States carry on as usual,
but have set up a centralised co-ordinating group which is out of
their control, hugely expensive and a further step removed from the
Grass Roots.
Phew – finally able to consolidate the pun in
this column’s title! And not a moment too
soon; this is the final Co-Co Channel for our
year as Co-Convenors. It is probably a good
time to review the year that was and take a
peek into 2003 / 2004.
While quite a bit of our time this year has
been spent putting new administrative
(especially staff-related) procedures in place,
these will hopefully require very little revision
and make for a more effective office. We
apologise if this has led to rather boring
Regional Group meetings from time to time,
but now this work has been done we can get
down to the more interesting and public
aspects of progressing our green agenda.
The time spent on such matters meant that
less of our promised ‘manifesto’ was delivered
than was hoped, but one area that was
relatively well handled was the party’s
interaction with our State MPs. One or both
of the Co-Convenors was able to attend most
of the MLC’s regular Parliamentary sitting
week meetings, which both helped keep the
MPs up-to-speed on party activities and create
opportunities for the party to provide
feedback to our Parliamentarians. We were
also able to deliver our promised mid-term
review of the Greens (WA) in State
10 - GREEN ISSUE
MIXED BAG
Thoughts of a Volunteer... Contact your Senate Candidates
Co-Co Channel No. 5
Parliament, with a General Meeting on that
topic held recently in Mandurah and written
submissions coming in soon.
Party membership enjoyed a significant boost
in the last year, although of course primarily
as a result of the dismal directions taken by
our Federal Government. New members
continue to be attracted to the party, and we
have also seen the pleasing emergence of
separate Hasluck and Tangney Regional
Groups.
2004 could be a watershed period for the
party with the likely prospect of a Federal
and State election in the second half of the
year. With the ALP and Democrats
floundering, our
unwavering commitment
to progressive outcomes
could consolidate our
presence in State
Parliament and return the
Greens (WA) to the
Senate.
Thank you so much to all
of the members that have
contributed to the party
this year. We would like
to recognise, in
particular, the efforts of
The ballot for the first two senate candidates for the upcoming
federal election has been circulated, candidate profiles have been
circulated, and a ‘meet the candidates’ night was held on Wednesday
30th July. If you were unable to make this event, or want more
information then here is your chance...
Rachel Siewert 041 991 4424
rachel.siewert@conservationwa.asn.au
Colin Hughes (08) 9255 2654
drwhos@iinet.net.au
Chris Twomey 040 77 25 025
ctwomey@agric.uwa.edu.au
Khristo Newall not available
19909894@student.murdoch.edu.au
Mark Millard (08) 9331 7003
wharminda@yahoo.com
Secretary Katrina Bercov, Observer Delegate
Lynn MacLaren, Office Co-ordinator Rowena
Skinner, Treasurer Fen Hewitt and the rest
of the AWG working group including the
ubiquitous Kate Davis, Chris Twomey, John
Varis and of course Margo Beilby. We really
hope to see you all at this year’s AGM where
we will review the year in more detail and
thank an even bigger list of people. The
wonderful Jo Vallentine will be our keynote
speaker, talking about “the second superpower
movement, and our role in it” ... but
please consider coming along just to give our
new office bearers support.
Rachel Siewert
Cameron Poustie

CONTACTS
Regional Councils
Contact Phone Meeting
Canning Michelle 9397 5130 1 st Tues of month, 7pm – 101 Challis Rd Armadale
Curtin Jay 9384 8491 1 st Mon of month – contact convenor
South West Peter 9791 5621 Meets quarterly – contact Peter
Fremantle Cliff 9339 6452 1 st Mon of month, 7.30pm – 1 st Freo Housing Coup, Cnr Watkins &
Swanbourne Sts, White Gum Valley
Tangney Michael 9354 7037 Contact convenor - Michael Sargeant
Hasluck Richard scolers@tpg.com.au Contact Convenor
Moore-Cowan Miguel 9305 1045 1 st Mon of month, 7.30pm – 6 Gordon Ave, Quinns Rocks
Pearce Wayne 9295 0383 1 st Thurs of month, 7pm – Parkerville Tavern
Peel Rebecca 9581 9084 Contact convenor
Perth Elena 9328 5734 1 st Wed of month, 6.30pm – Environment House, 8 th Ave Maylands
Stirling Peter 9275 5514 Mon or Tues before 2 nd Sat of month, 7.30pm
Swan James 9470 9413 1 st Thurs of month, 7pm – 12 Kent St, Victoria Park
Working Groups
Convenor Phone Meeting
Admin office 9470 9227 Contact Greens (WA) office
Green Issue Ben Stanwix 9335 4770 Contact convenor
Parliamentary Office 9470 9227 Contact Greens (WA) office
Policy/Platform Margo Beilby 9397 6209 Contact convenor
Refugee Action Robin Stevens & 9228 3978 Contact convenors
Group Marion Blair 9431 7982
Economics Margo Beilby 9397 6209 Contact convenor
International Rob Tait 9272 4507 Contact convenor
Peace Kate Davis 9335 4770 Contact convenor
Animal Welfare Cath O’Connell 9286 2743 Contact convenor
Electoral Reform Diana MacTiernan 9328 6091 Contact convenor
Unions Diana MacTiernan 9328 6091 Contact convenor
Parliamentarians
Member Phone Office
Agricultural Dee Margetts 9322 1384 p 1072 Hay St, West Perth
9321 1371 f Bridget and Elize
Mining and Pastoral Robin Chapple 9324 1424 p 1072 Hay St, West Perth
9321 1371 f Scott and Nuala
North Metropolitan Giz Watson 9201 0582 p 339 Oxford St, Leederville 6007
9201 0583 f Sue, Trish and Lynn
South Metropolitan Jim Scott 9336 1991 p 19 Point St, Fremantle 6160
9430 4778 f Lynn and Mark
South West Christine Sharp 9764 1440 p Shop 6 Brockman St, Balingup 6253
9764 1426 f Wendy, Margie and Catherine
Office Bearers
Bearer Phone Office
Co-convenors Cameron Poustie 040 214 7454 convenor@wa.greens.org.au
Rachel Siewert 041 991 4424
Secretary Katrina Bercov 9228 9185 office@wa.greens.org.au
Treasurer Fen Hewitt 9470 9227 office@wa.greens.org.au
Greens Office Rowena Skinner 9470 9227 p PO Box 737, Victoria Park 6979
Rosie Brooks 9470 9537 f 4/439-441 Albany Hway, Victoria Park 6100
office@wa.greens.org.au
Please direct any changes or additions to the Greens (WA) office. Fly-in-dandy for this edition - Chris Twomey
GREEN ISSUE - 11

AGM
GWA Annual General Meeting
Saturday 30th August 2pm
East Vic Park Family Centre
Kent St. Victoria Park
Agenda:
- Outgoing Office Bearer reports
- Incoming Office Bearers
- Finance report – accept audit report
- Appointing auditor for 03/04
- Proposal to increase membership fees
to $15.00
- Approving Budget 03/04
- Guest speaker (Jo Vallentine)
“The second super-power
movement, and our role in it”
PEACE RETREAT Weekend 23 & 24 August DUNSBOROUGH
A weekend away with the peace working group for passionate discussion
about non-violence, international relations, Green’s policy and wine.
Cost: minimal - your own travel and food to share (accommodation free or nominal fee)
Info/ registration: Kate Davis 19909894@studenrt.murdoch.edu.au or 9335 4770
Please register your interest in attending quickly because there are limited places.
The peace working group is compiling a reader to fire the participant’s imagination
and neurons before the weekend. If you’d like a copy sent to you, contact Kate..
If undelivered please return to:
The Greens (WA)
PO Box 737
Victoria Park
WA 6979
12 - GREEN ISSUE
STATE CONFERENCE 2003
Friday 26 th September (evening)- Monday 29 th September (noon)
Point Walter, Stock Rd, Bicton
Right on the river, excellent value accommodation
Vegetarian/vegan meals provided
Workshops/Entertainment/Rivers/Aboriginal Culture/Campaign Skills
Opportunity to meet other Greens, discuss and debate issues and learn new skills.
Registration form enclosed.
Wine Sale Fundraiser
Summerlea Wines, in association with the Greens (WA) and the Southwest Greens,
offers you the chance to purchase award winning south west wine and in so doing make
a substantial contribution towards Greens fundraising.
For every case of Summerlea 2001 Shiraz you purchase, Summerlea wines will donate
$50 to the Greens. For each bottle, Summerlea will donate $4. For every case of
Summerlea 2002 Classic White you purchase, Summerlea wines will donate $40 to the
Greens, For each bottle, Summerlea will donate $3. The amount donated by Summerlea
Wines will be split evenly between The Greens (WA) and the Southwest Greens.
Orders from Perth-based Greens will be available for collection at the Greens (WA)
office in Vic Park. For country Greens, free delivery of cases is available to all towns
West of Albany Highway. Bottle delivery will be free where case orders have been made
in the same town. All other locations and towns where there are only bottles to be
delivered will involve the added cost of postage or courier delivery.
To order, simply fill in the form enclosed, or email Summerlea at sales@summerlea.com.au.
SURFACE
MAIL
Osteopath
Osteopath, Rowland Benjamin is
now in practice at 403 Charles St,
North Perth, WA 6006 and offers a
10% discount to Greens (WA)
members for all visits. Please phone
9444 7822 for enquiries or
appointments.
Information for Action office is
attached to the Osteopathic clinic and
needs volunteers. Please visit our
website www.informaction.org and see
the useful work that we do, and if you
have any free time please contact me by
e-mail or phone.
Dr Rowland Benjamin D.O.
rowland@informaction.org
A D V E R T I S M E N T
POSTAGE
PAID
AUSTRALIA
Its a small world . . . until you try to clean it!