While there will no doubt be much confected backslapping at the few parts of this weekend’s Green State conference which are open to the media, internally the Greens are racked with dissent and concern about their sell-out to Labor, and what it means for their longer-term future.
Prior to the election Nick McKim argued that the Greens presented a change to the “old politics” of the two major parties, and that voting Green would produce real results on issues such as climate change, forestry and cost of living.
Yet since the election Mr McKim’s most notable achievements include:
• Cycling up Mount Wellington with David Bartlett to do a deal that David Bartlett promised would never happen;
• Supporting Labor breaking their 5 percent electricity price cap promise; and
• Being photographed with a hot water bottle.
The fact is, the Greens have sold their principles for the perks of power, and many Greens members are very concerned about the party’s future direction.
Some of the internal Green party members’ concerns which will be discussed behind closed doors this weekend include:
NOT DELIVERING WHAT THEY PROMISED
Major Green election promises not delivered include:
• Statewide Mini-Metro
• Giving prisoners the vote
• Free public transport for all students
• Apple-a-Day for students
• Solar rebates
• Axing the Kingston Bypass
• Ending native forestry in Tasmania.
REVELLING IN THE PERKS OF OFFICE
• CHAFFUER-DRIVEN LIMOUSINES
Upon becoming Leader of the Greens in July 2008, McKim declined the use of a chauffeur-driven limousine, saying “politicians cannot continue to ask the community to reduce emissions without ourselves showing leadership, and that means taking action not just talking about it” (Nick McKim media release, 15 July 2008).
Upon becoming minister for Climate Change, he accepted use of the very same 8-cylinder chauffeur-driven limousine on “road safety and workload grounds” (Nick McKim Media release, 3 May 201).
• HOSPITALITY HYPOCRISY
Despite opposing the Hawthorn football deal, both McKim and O’Connor accepted invitations to attend the “Tasmania Day” lunch at the MCG on 29th August between. They have even booked airfares and accommodation. They only pulled out at the last minute when questions were asked by the media (Mercury, 28th August 2010).
SUPPORTING HIGHER ELECTRICITY PRICES
Despite campaigning heavily on the issue of cost of living during the election campaign, the Greens supported the Government’s decision to break their five-percent electricity price cap promise, meaning higher electricity prices for all Tasmanians. Despite a $46 million budget windfall, the Greens’ now refuse to use some of this money to cap electricity prices as promised.
RUNNING AWAY FROM THE DIFFICULT DECISIONS
Despite being the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, McKim has flagged that should the Government proceed with a plan to build the Brighton Bypass against the wishes of the aboriginal community, he will walk out of Cabinet rather than attend to argue the case (Examiner, 11th August 2010).
SUPPORTING POLICY THEY PREVIOUSLY OPPOSED
• BROAD-ACRE HOUSING ESTATES
Despite consistently opposing broad-acre public housing estates, Cassy O’Connor as the responsible Minister released a housing policy which involved public housing on broad-acre estates. (Cassy O’Connor media release, 18th August). The plan drew criticism from her Green backbench colleague Kim Booth (Examiner, 19th August 2010).
• GAMBLING HARM MINIMISATION MEASURES
As Secretary to Cabinet, Cassy O’Connor welcomed new self-exclusion laws and other harm minimisation measures for problem gamblers, despite taking a policy to the election to completely ban poker machines (Media release 18th August 2010). This also drew the ire of her backbench colleague Kim Booth (Mercury, 19th August 2010).
SUPPORT FOR A PULP MILL?
Nick McKim has indicated he is prepared to sell-out the ultimate Green value and support a pulp mill in Tasmania:
“A proposal for another pulp mill in Tasmania, we are prepared to look at, as long as it is put through the proper processes” (Mercury, 27th August 2010).
Elise Archer MP
Shadow Minister for Community Development
Saturday, 5 September 2010
Confected Green back-slapping hides serious internal divisions
Saturday, 04 September 2010 16:19 | 
Written by Elise