1. Introduction

This Greens (WA) Election Platform sets down policy positions that we offer to the people of Western Australia for the forthcoming State Election. These are the positions that our candidates, if elected, are committed to pursue in parliament.

The topics covered in this platform do not represent all of the issues that we consider important. Nevertheless we trust that this selection illustrates the depth of vision and concern that our candidates will bring to public life in Western Australia.

We are determined to increase our representation in the Upper House and with other independents we intend to attain the balance of power.

Only then can the Upper House free itself from control of the major parties and become the independent House of review that can make the government accountable.

In this way we can begin to challenge the government of the day to restore the balance between economic growth and the environment, and between economic efficiency and social justice.

The Greens (WA) shares with green political movements the world over a foundation in four basic tenets:-

Ecological Sustainability

Social Justice and Economic Equity

Peace and Disarmament

Participatory Democracy

The umbrella principles contained in the Appendix are a further elaboration of these tenets which help guide our members and parliamentarians in addressing the issues of the day.

 

2. Air Pollution

Perth already has significant air pollution from photochemical smog, haze and other chemicals. In the last few years air pollution in Perth has increased. In 1993 ozone levels exceeded World Health Organisation (WHO) standards on nine occasions. In 1995/6 we have exceeded WHO ozone standards 17 times.

The community is concerned about air pollution. A report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics "Australians and the Environment" showed that of all environment issues, air pollution was the major concern. Smog can damage lung and bronchial tissue, cause eye irritation, coughs, headaches and respiratory illness, increase asthma and cause cancers. In NSW 400 people die each year as a result of particulate pollution and there are up to 1000 deaths per annum around Australia.

The major contributor to air pollution is the car which accounts for nearly 50% of pollution causing emissions. In particular, cars generate about 90% of Carbon Monoxide, more than 50% of Nitrogen Dioxides and are the single most common source of hydrocarbons.

Heavy industry is also a major source of air pollution. Domestic wood burning and burnoffs also contribute significantly.

 

The Greens (WA) will take action to implement the following measures:-

1. The Department for Environment Protection be properly resourced to provide continuous air monitoring at local and regional levels to provide public information on the effectiveness of reduction strategies.

2. Tighter mandatory controls on emissions such as nitrogen dioxide from industry. The Department for Environment Protection must be resourced to monitor and prosecute any breaches. There also needs to be further control of emissions from leaking pumps, storage tanks, valves and other equipment.

3. Industry licences must require demonstration of use of world best technology for treatment of emissions and programs for environmental audits. Industry should be required to pay an environmental bond wherever there is a potential for pollution.

4. Development of a Western Australian strategy for achieving major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

5. Promote cleaner, renewable energy sources, including solar power and wind generation.

6. Methane gas recovery at landfill sites and sewage farms to generate electricity.

7. Support legislation similar to the NSW Clean Air (Control of Burning) Regulations 1995 to restrict open fire burning and ban the use of unlicensed incinerators. There needs to be a re-examination of CALM's controlled burns.

8. Public education programs to promote solar power, domestic self generation of energy and low energy equipment and the provision of information on domestic sources of emissions and how to reduce them.

 

3. Contaminated Sites

It is estimated that there are over 1500 contaminated sites in Western Australia. A significant number of sites are in the Metropolitan area where there is soil contamination as a result of previous land- use practices. The underlying groundwater is often also contaminated.

These sites include the Omex site at Bellevue, Minim Cove at Mosman Park, the former liquid waste disposal facility at Southern River and the former light industrial area in Subiaco.

The contaminants often pose serious environmental and health risks. There are also legal and economic uncertainties as to who is liable for any possible effects from the contaminants.

Despite the recognition of the problems of contaminated sites, this Government and the Environmental Protection Authority have not responded adequately. Currently there is no system in place to manage contaminated sites.

 

The Greens (WA) will take action to implement the following measures:-

1. Implement the immediate clean-up of all contaminated sites that are a threat to health and groundwater.

2. Establish a statutory public register, which includes a suitable system of classification, of all contaminated sites.

3. Introduce contaminates sites legislation to:

a. clarify the legal obligations in relation to contaminated sites.

b. define the obligations of the Environmental Protection Authority, land owners and local governments in relation to contaminated sites.

c. proscribe methods and safety procedures for identification and cleaning up of contaminated sites.

d. prevent companies and individuals from contaminating sites in this way in the future.

4. Ensure that wherever possible, the polluter pays principle is followed.

5. Establish incentives to encourage companies and individuals to voluntarily clean up contaminated sites.

6. Investigate mechanisms to establish a fund to pay for cleaning up.

7. Ensure the community is fully informed about contaminated sites and involved in decisions made in relation to cleaning up these sites.

 

4. Drug Law Reform

The use of substances has a long history in human society. Western Australians are justifiably concerned about the widespread misuse of drugs in our community. Experimentation among young people is widespread. Use of drugs such as cannabis and amphetamines is high by international standards, despite prohibitionist laws and a strong commitment to law enforcement.

The conclusion of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Crime Authority in 1988 remain relevant:-

Over the past two decades in Australia we have devoted increased resource to drug law enforcement, we have increased the penalties for drug trafficking and we have accepted increasing inroads on our civil liberties as part of the battle to curb the drug trade.

All evidence shows, however, not only that our law enforcement agencies have not succeeded in preventing the supply of illicit drugs into Australian markets, but that it is unrealistic to expect them to do so. If the present policy of prohibition is not working then it is time to give serious consideration to the alternatives, no matter how radical they may seem.

In a recent address, the Secretary General of Interpol, Mr Ray Kendall, said he was "entirely supportive of the notion of removing the abuse of drugs from the penal realm in favour of other forms of regulation such as psycho, medical, social treatment". He further stated that "the dollar you spend on demand reduction is seven times more cost effective than the dollar you spend on law enforcement."

The Greens (WA) believe that drug abuse is a health problem and as such propose a wide range of policy and legislative change to the current system which will incorporate education, law enforcement, support facilities, rehabilitation and legal reform.

 

The Greens (WA) will take action to implement the following measures:-

1. Provide information and health education in relation to drugs:

a. Systematic implementation of school based education programs about the potential harms of the misuse of licit and illicit drugs so that young people are encouraged to keep control of their own destinies and to protect themselves from harm.

b. Improved information services for parents to assist them to education and support their children regarding drug issues.

c. Improved information services for the wider community to educate those currently using or misusing licit or illicit drugs about the potential dangers involved.

2. Expand provisions for support and treatment including:

a. Further development of services that are available to support people with drug dependency, particularly those that offer the possibility of removal from a life of frequent crime and unsafe intravenous drug administration.

b. Improvement is services for young people for whom there is a real possibility of rehabilitation with appropriate support.

Improvement in the quality of advice to the courts and enhanced capacity to ensure treatment and supervision required by the courts is delivered by a competent organisation.

d. Development of research, evaluation and professional competence by establishing an Agency for Drug Dependency based on existing services and designed to support many valuable voluntary sector agencies which provide services in this field.

e. Improve access to the methadone program.

f. Development of proposals to trial new drugs which help prevent relapse for individuals while overcoming their narcotic dependence.

3. Transform law enforcement through integration of policing strategies related to drugs in association with health, education, community services and local communities.

4. Change laws relating to drugs including:-

a. Elimination of the offence of personal possession and use of marijuana.

b. Elimination of the offence of growing up to five marijuana plants per household.

c. Retention of offences relating to trafficking in marijuana and other illicit drugs.

d. Provision of powers to local authorities to regulate the smoking of marijuana in public places.

e. Provisions to enable Police to deal with people found to be driving dangerously under the influence of drugs, including marijuana.

f. Funding of research and development to establish a test for short-lived metabolites of cannabis products in breath or in saliva to enable the introduction of roadside testing.

g. Reviewing sentencing patterns and levels of penalties to ensure that penalties for trafficking are appropriate to the crime.

5. Initiate sustained local and statewide action including:-

a. Mobilisation of our community to gain a better understanding of the nature of the problems, and to improve collaboration in tackling the problem at all levels.

b. Development of new approaches in the state as a whole, and at the level of each local community to help young people who have never found employment, who see no long-term future for themselves as constructive contributors to society and who are particularly vulnerable to the misuse of drugs.

c. Creation of incentives to encourage practitioners, researchers and communities in the field of harm minimisation and community development initiatives related to drug education and rehabilitation.

 

5. Education

The Greens (WA) support universal access and equity in school and tertiary education.

We support a vision of education as a lifelong process of intellectual, physical, emotional and cultural development, taking place in a variety of formal and informal settings, and aimed at empowering people to live purposeful, satisfying lives, to help develop communities that are peaceful, just and ecologically sustainable, and to extend that ethical commitment to the other peoples of the world.

Lifelong education can enable all citizens to make a constructive and creative social contribution. Each person may be called on to become a teacher. All people have the right to adequate financial support while undertaking formal educational programs.

 

The Greens (WA) will take action to implement the following measures:-

1. Reduction in class numbers.

2. Maintenance and strengthening of an equitable and high quality public schooling sector.

3. Abolition of school fees and charges to parents and students at public schools.

4. Real growth in recurrent and capital funding for schools.

5. Strategies to maximise the acquisition of adequate literacy and numeracy skills by all students.

6. Greater resourcing for the integration of students with special needs.

7. Additional incentives and the flexible provision of a continuous cycle of in-service training for teachers at all levels of education, including tertiary teaching based on the teacher's needs

8. Development of Environmental Education as an integral part of each subject of the school curriculum and encouragement of its integration in tertiary courses to enable each individual to learn to live sustainably in the future.

9. Encouragement of students, parents, teachers and the local community to engage in local, practical environmental education projects.

10. Development of Peace Education as an integral part of the school curriculum.

11. Support for schools which manage their utilities to reduce the use of energy, for example through savings in water, gas and electricity usage, and building design.

12. Support by the State Government for the following Federal Policies:-

a. Tied grants to the States to ensure the States are accountable for spending money on education and targets for equity and participation set by the Commonwealth.

b. Real growth in capital and recurrent funding for universities and the TAFE sector.

c. The abolition of post-graduate and undergraduate fees.

d. The abolition of illegal university fees on campus.

e. The reduction of the financial burden on parents and students.

f. No increases in the repayment levels of HECS or lowering of the repayment thresholds.

g. Increased access to Austudy by lowering the age of independence to 18.

h. Defence and promotion of Australian Broadcasting Authority as Australia's only independent national broadcaster in its educational role of providing unique learning opportunities and the provision of accurate information free from bias through the absence of corporate sponsorship and advertising.

 

6. Energy - Surviving Beyond Hydrocarbons

Australia's oil self-sufficiency will decline steeply from 1997, followed shortly by a peak in world production of oil which will then halve every 25 years.

Our natural gas resources are several times larger than for oil on an equivalent energy basis. However, three quarters is off the North West coast remote from markets and half is sub-economic, ie expensive.

Natural gas is the only alternative fuel that can readily service agriculture and transport as world oil supply begins to contract during the next decade. Natural gas must have priority for these uses while they adapt to new energy regimes "beyond hydrocarbons" over the early decades of the 21st century. Failure to allocate natural gas for this role will have catastrophic economic and social consequences for Australia as world oil supply declines.

With current priorities of gas use in Western Australia being for export, power generation and mineral processing, half of Australia's gas resources could be consumed by 2020, when gas production is expected to decline. Gas for transport and agriculture has a low ranking.

Declining oil will focus attention on renewable energy resources such as solar, wind and tidal power, and on reform of all other energy use, especially electricity.

Energy utilities, whether public or privately owned, must become energy service organisations, not just energy suppliers .

That is, utilities that collaborate with their customers in an open, cooperative way to:-

improve the energy efficiency of the whole supply, distribution and consumer system

shift from centralised power sources towards decentralised ones that use renewable technologies

reduce energy consumption, especially from non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels

An end to secrecy and commercial confidentiality, and a commitment to democratic process is needed if priority is to be given to environmental impacts of energy use, equity and social justice.

Energy suppliers and consumers must work together for the common good. Competition can have a positive place within the cooperative framework.

 

The Greens (WA) will take action to implement the following measures:-

1. A public inquiry into Australia's petroleum resources in a global context to evaluate their historical and future availability and cost, both:

a. in physical and dollar terms with an emphasis on the transport and economic implications, and

b. the social, equity and employment consequences

2. That the inquiry recommend strategies for use of natural gas as a transition fuel for surviving "beyond hydrocarbons" with an emphasis on agriculture and transport systems.

A review of the future of transport "beyond hydrocarbons" and the implications for regional and economic development, so as to reduce the need for travel.

4. An interim moratorium on new natural gas export projects and further uses of gas for power generation and mineral processing. Alternative fuels exist for the latter uses, but not for transport and agriculture's transition to the post-hydrocarbon age.

5. An end to construction of freeways and major urban roads as inappropriate for the post-oil age.

6. All future contracts for supply/delivery of fossil fuels to be made public; commercial confidentiality and secrecy in these contracts to be disallowed. Existing contracts to be made public at the end of a six months notice period. 7. An open inquiry to be held to establish the ground rules and performance criteria for transforming energy utilities, whether public or privately owned, from energy supply into energy service organisations. These performance criteria should break the link between revenue and quantity of energy sold, and favour:

a. overall energy efficiency gains and the delivery of least cost energy use

b. a shift to less energy use and towards renewable energy sources

c. utility investment in customer energy efficiency.

8. Community service obligations for all energy utilities, public and private, to be defined by open public inquiries.

9. Utilities to provide equal access to all people, including the disadvantaged, to ways of improving their energy efficiency.

10. Discouragement of large scale energy intensive industries unless based renewable energy resources.

11. The opening of all utility Board meetings to public, with minutes published immediately.

12. Publication of Ministerial directions to publicly owned utilities in the next available daily newspaper. Similar provisions should apply to non-government energy utilities, including where these receive directions from a parent company or similar.

13. Economic evaluation of energy production and consuming projects to incorporate a penalty for use of non-renewable fuels to reflect their non-renewable character.

14. Progressive reduction of long distance trade in favour of labour intensive local industry.

15. Rejection of nuclear power and uranium mining.

 

7. Forests

Forest woodland formerly covered just 2% of Western Australia. Over half has now been cleared. Of the remainder, only 23% of Karri, 6% of Jarrah and 3% of Wandoo is relatively untouched and protected in conservation reserves. Much of the rest, including substantial areas of old growth forest, is subject to logging or clearfelling for woodchipping or mining.

The majority of Western Australians are opposed to the clearfelling of forests for woodchipping. Ecosystems are destroyed with relatively few jobs provided. Royalties are completely inadequate given the profits made.

The forests of the South-West are not being managed in an ecologically sustainable manner. The interests of the forest industry predominate within the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM), the agency responsible for both forest management and conservation.

Burning practices are designed to protect the timber resource, human life and property with little regard to their impact on many plant and animal species and on the ecosystem as a whole. Quarantine regulations to prevent the spread of dieback are widely disregarded.

The Greens (WA) believe there is real potential to transform the timber industry to one based on selective logging on an extended cycle of non-reserve old growth areas for high quality timber products and on further development of agroforestry for hardwood sawlog crops.

The Greens (WA) acknowledge the significant potential impact of our policy on many communities of the South-West. However, in the longer term, employment will be considerably boosted on farms, in the new timber industry and in tourism.

The Greens (WA) are committed to initiate consultations with South-West communities to develop a strategy for the transition to a sustainable industry so as to minimise disruption and maximise the benefits for those communities.

 

Greens (WA) will take action to implement the following measures:-

1. Extend the reserve system to include all remaining areas of high conservation value. These reserves should be selected by an independent scientific process, with the benefit of community involvement.

2. In native forest where timber extraction is permitted, logging should be allowed on a minimum rotation of 300 years in order to sustain old-growth values for future generations. This will involve a radical reduction in the in the present allowable cut.

3. Stop clearfelling in favour of group or individual selective logging. Logging should be dispersed over time and greatly reduced in intensity so as to prevent the currently proposed concentration at certain sites.

4. Ban woodchipping and charcoal production in native forests except as genuine by-

products from sawmill waste.

Develop a sustainable timber industry based on plantation and agroforestry timbers grown on previously cleared land and in agroforestry.

6. Greatly increase the current low royalties in order to encourage the highest quality uses and to make plantation timber competitive.

7. Review prescribed burning regimes so that:-

a. areas remote from settlements are burnt much less frequently

b. the timing and frequency do not disrupt the reproductive cycle of flora and fauna

8. Protect all old growth forests and those of high conservation value from mining, exploration and logging.

9. Explore and develop alternative sources of fibre for paper production.

10. Reconstitute CALM as an agency for conservation only and transfer the responsibility for forest logging to a separate agency.

11. Stop all logging in dieback quarantine areas to prevent the spread of dieback. Hygiene regulations in relation to dieback must be enforced and penalties strengthened.

12. Immediately prepare a Transition Strategy involving members of all affected communities in the South West.

 

8. Government Accountability

Government accountability is crucial to participatory democracy because it means that politicians and government become directly accountable to the people.

Participatory democracy is one of the four key principles of Greens policy. As such, we support government accountability and openness which means that government deliberations, decisions and actions are transparent to the community who can hold them accountable.

The Greens (WA) will press for the implementation of the recommendations and findings of the "WA Inc" Royal Commission. We also support the recommendations of the Commission on Government which bring greater openness and accountability to government and politics.

 

The Greens (WA) will take action to implement the following measures:-

1. Repeal laws which function to keep government decisions and bureaucratic practice secret from the people.

2. Open Cabinet and Executive Government to public scrutiny and therefore more accountable.

3. Reform the electoral system, particularly to enshrine one vote one value and to make the Legislative Council a true House of Review.

4. Reform of the Official Corruption Commission so that it has greater powers to both investigate and prevent bureaucratic, political and police corruption.

5. Introduce a Public Interest Disclosures Act to protect whistleblowers.

6. Introduce a Public Records Act which controls management of all public sector records, including Cabinet and Ministerial records.

7. Support the amendment of WA defamation laws so that threats of legal action cannot be used by politicians and corporations to silence genuine criticism and opposition from the community.

8. Establish an Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

9. Give Parliamentary Committees the right to call Ministers to give evidence.

10. Create greater independence for the Auditor-General by making that office a statutory authority.

11. Re-establish of the Commission On Government in 2001 to check the progress of reforms.

12. Ensure that Board Meetings of public agencies are open to the public and that their minutes are published; directions by the relevant Minister to such authorities should be published in the next available daily newspaper.

 

9. Housing

Public housing in Australia is currently at grave risk. Federal and State housing ministers are opting for a radical change in the way in which housing is made available to people in poverty. Early indications are that the former approach of Federal funding for State housing programs will cease and be replaced by direct rental assistance to those assessed as eligible.

In the face of such changes, the State Government has a critical role both in ensuring that the new system does not disadvantage either existing public housing tenants or those newly in need of public assistance.

The construction of a home, whether publicly or privately, and its continued operation, can have enormous environmental impacts. It is critical that these be addressed if we are to create an ecologically sustainable way of life.

 

The Greens (WA) will take action to implement the following measures:-

1. Ensure that the new Federal/State Housing arrangements:-

a. Increase and not reduce the financial resources available for housing Western Australians in poverty.

b. Do not result in effective subsidisation of the private landlords at the expense of former public housing tenants.

c. Retain a substantial and dynamic public housing sector; there must be no wholesale sell-off of public housing stock.

d. Maintain the right of new or existing tenants to opt in or out of public housing including a veto on any sale of their home to a private landlord.

e. Extend the range of locations available to public housing tenants and create a better mix of private and public housing in all localities.

f. Increase the types of housing available to public tenants in accordance with their needs, eg for groups of young people, the elderly living alone or as couples, single parents, people living communally.

g. Provide substantial resources for supported housing programs or for community groups providing quality housing management services.

2. Maintain and enhance effective advice, advocacy and mediation services for both tenants and landlords in the public and private sectors.

3. Development of measures to improve energy efficiency in housing design including:-

a. Provision of financial incentives to home builders.

b. Minimum standards for all buildings with appropriate regional variations.

c. Support for local government regulations requiring higher standards of energy efficiency in housing design.

d. An Architectural Code of Conduct requiring architects to inform clients regarding options in energy efficiency in building design and to use efficient designs whenever possible.

A Public Sector Building Standard requiring all public buildings and public housing to conform to energy efficient standards of design

f. Recognition of other environmental building concerns such as using only timber from sustainable forestry, chemical free protection from termites, limiting clearance of native vegetation and the re-use of "grey" water.

4. Develop examples of urban villages which foster a greater sense of community. Such urban villages should enable walking and bicycle use as the normal means of access to services and employment.

 

10. Industrial Relations and Training Policy

Industrial relations in Western Australia have gone through a major transformation in recent times. We have moved from a completely centralised wage system to one incorporating individual contracts and workplace agreements backed by legislation for minimum conditions of employment.

For some workers and employers this legislation has provided greater flexibility. For others, particularly women, youth and unskilled workers the result has been disempowerment and exploitation.

There are related problems for business, as workers on short term contracts find it difficult to get mortgages or loans to purchase homes, cars, whitegoods and other expensive items. The general sense of insecurity has led to people being frugal with their earnings and to a downturn in retailing and business confidence.

The Greens (WA) will promote measures which can provide a fair deal in the workplace for all participants regardless of gender, race, age or sexual preference.

The Greens (WA) recognises the need for workplaces to have cooperative, safe and mutually respectful relationships between employer and employee.

Flexible and innovative work practices can achieve win/win situations for employer and employee, but they can also lead to exploitation and humiliation.

 

The Greens (WA) will take action to implement the following measures:-

1. Maintain a strong Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

2. Preserve the right to collective bargaining and the role of the unions to negotiate on behalf of their members.

3. Ensure that enterprise bargaining and workplace agreements to be registered and accessible to a delegate of a union responding to an Award in the relevant industry. Unfair agreements should be referable to the Industrial Relations Commission for examination.

4. Legislate to improve minimum standards to address the needs of all vulnerable workers including women, young workers and those without the educational ability to understand complicated agreements drawn up by employers. This should include provision for:-

a. regular hours for part-time employees

b. minimum call-out times and rates for casual employees

c. equal renumeration for equal work by women and youth

d. access to information for all workers including non-English speakers

e. access to occupational health and safety training

f. access to paid maternity and paternity leave

g. access to family leave

5. Ensure that Industrial Advocates and advisers are made available to both employers and employees without access to advocacy through a business association or union.

6. Support amendments to the Discrimination Act to outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual preference.

7. Ensure that training is made available to all workers as part of their job description including apprentices, trainees, part-time and casual employees without loss of pay.

8. Provide incentives to employers to enable non-English speakers to learn English on the job.

 

11. Land Degradation

The issue of widespread land degradation is the most critical environment issue facing WA. The farming areas of WA have lost more species than any comparable area in the world. The cost to the farming community of salinity alone is estimated at more than $100 million per year. It is estimated that up to 30% of Western Australia's agricultural region may become saline.

Past and present land use practices and inappropriate management of land for pastoral and broadacre farming have resulted in a huge range of environmental impacts including soil loss, rising salinity, extinctions and endangering of native plants and animals, and a massive decline in water quality in streams, rivers and estuaries.

These impacts have many causes including:-

over-clearing in native vegetation (in some Shires up to 93%)

inadequate conservation reserves and connecting corridors for native animals and plants

overstocking, clearing and stocking of land that is too fragile for farming

introduction of exotic plant and animal species such as grasses, rabbits and foxes

inadequate planning and management at all levels (farm, catchment, region and state).

 

The Greens (WA) will take action to implement the following measures:-

1. Develop a comprehensive, statewide policy on land clearing and rural conservation that is based on ecological sustainability.

2. Introduce mechanisms whereby the costs of rehabilitation of rural areas are borne by the whole community.

3. Initiate a moratorium on clearing of remaining native vegetation.

4. Provide further incentives for best practice in landcare and preservation of remnant vegetation.

5. Initiate mandatory penalties for illegal clearing.

6. Support changes to farming practices including research and establishment of mixed farming techniques and tree crops.

7. Develop, with full community involvement, Integrated Catchment Management Plans for all catchments.

8. Develop, in consultation with local communities, legally binding minimum land management practices.

9. Investigate and encourage the phasing out of ecologically unsustainable rural activities on marginal and unsuitable land.

10. Establish a comprehensive, biologically representative and viable system of conservation reserves for all of Western Australia's ecosystems.

11. Encourage revegetation with deep-rooted native vegetation.

 

12. Law and Order

Western Australians remain very concerned about the levels of crime and its impacts. Faith in the system is diminished by court sentences for serious crimes being undermined by overly generous provisions for remission and parole.

However, simplistic solutions to crime must be rejected. Communities need to be mobilised, the needs of young people and the poor addressed in a variety of ways, and a just reconciliation effected with the Aboriginal community if offending is to be reduced.

There is also much that can be achieved through better legal advice at the community level and the opportunity for mediation, which can often provide a more meaningful and satisfactory outcome for all parties than can be delivered in an adversarial system whether in the Criminal or Civil Courts.

The Federal Government's decision to redirect their legal aid funds to "Federal matters" such as in the Family Court is a massive blow to access to justice for many. Unless the State Government forces a change, or makes up for the shortfall, many "battlers" will be unable to pursue their plea of innocence in Criminal Courts or a legitimate grievance in the Civil Courts.

 

The Greens (WA) will take action to implement the following measures:-

1. Restore public confidence through reform of the parole and remission system so that the period spent in custody or under supervision reflects the seriousness of an offence as judged by the Court at sentencing.

2. Provide increased support and compensation for victims, and for their right to be heard in processes in relation to the offence.

3. Reject simplistic solutions such as the "3 Strikes You're In" legislation which provides mandatory custody regardless of the age of the offender or the seriousness of the offence.

4. Support for the Juvenile Justice Teams process which deals with offending by strengthening family responsibility for the offender and provides the opportunity for reparation to the victim as an alternative to ineffectual court processes. This process should be extensively trialed with adults, particularly younger offenders.

5. Legislate to ensure that "standard contracts" provided by banks and other financial institutions are subject to approval as fair by an independent Consumer Contracts Review Board.

6. Recognise that Aboriginal over-representation in the justice system results from unjust treatment of Aboriginal people historically, in all of their social circumstances and in the processes of policing and the administration of justice.

7. Implement the findings of the Blacks Deaths in Custody Royal Commission both in relation to policing and the administration of justice and in relation to the background issues identified.

8. Support community based initiatives to address offending, particularly those designed to meet the needs of juveniles considered at risk of offending and to enhance the quality of life in local communities.

9. Increase the emphasis on community policing including support for neighbourhood, rural and business watch.

10. Establish a wide ranging inquiry into access to the legal system by all members of the community.

11. Promote less costly and more accessible forms of resolving disputes such as the funding of Community Legal Centres.

12. Increase funding for legal aid especially for juveniles, family and criminal matters. Specialist services for youth and aboriginal people to be properly maintained.

13. Reject privatisation of prisons, detention centres and other correctional programs.

 

13. Marine and Coastal

Australians from all backgrounds consider our beaches and riverfronts to be public places open to all. These areas need protection from developments which exclude responsible public access and damage natural values.

Many parts of our coast are being threatened by insensitive development, some of which prevent waterfront access by local communities. Examples are Moore River, Walpole Inlet and Port Kennedy.

The ocean and estuarine waters are being polluted by a combination of industrial, agricultural and urban runoff. Marine pests are being introduced in the ballast water from foreign ships.

The Swan and Canning estuaries are particularly threatened by nutrients from unsewered areas, road runoff and agricultural chemicals.

Over 90% of the seagrass meadows of Cockburn Sound have been destroyed by industrial waste, sewerage and dredging. The remaining seagrass is under threat from continued mining for lime sands and marinas and shipping facilities in the area. Many coral reefs, bays, estuaries and islands are of outstanding ecological importance. These should be set aside as conservation areas.

 

The Greens (WA) will take action to implement the following measures:-

1. Oppose all coastal developments which deny or impede public access to coastal beaches and waters.

2. Retain public ownership of the coastline, the estuaries and offshore islands of Western Australia.

3. Ensure that all proposals for development in the coastal zone are subject to formal environmental impact assessment with public input and community consultation.

4. Legislate for more stringent environmental assessment and conditions for coastal developments, particularly marinas, golf courses, industrial, residential and high rise buildings.

5. Develop rigorous licence conditions applicable to all projects where there is a potential for pollution and strict enforcement of those licence conditions by the Department for Environmental Protection to prevent pollution in the marine and coastal environments.

6. Develop integrated Catchment Management plans for all catchments as a matter of urgency. Directly resource community groups (such as Landcare groups) involved in management of catchment areas.

7. Develop a strategy to end sewage outfalls completely such as those at Cape Peron and at Beenyup. Investigate low energy treatment alternatives.

8. Rapidly phase out shell sand mining which destroys seagrasses in the Cockburn Sound/Owen Anchorage area.

9. Review and restructure the Western Australian fishing industry to promote open and accountable management with a focus on promoting ecologically sustainable fishing for both commercial and recreational users.

10. Establish a comprehensive network of adequately resourced and managed marine parks and aquatic reserves throughout the State to provide viable reserves representing all marine ecosystems.

11. Legislate to prevent further introduction of marine pests through ballast water and assess the extent of infestations of exotic species and introduce measures to control these pests.

12. Develop a system of environmental and safety accreditation for all shipping using WA waters.

13. Participate in the establishment of an Australian-wide marine management authority to oversee marine and coastal management.

 

14. Mining and Resources

Mining and resource extraction accounts for a substantial proportion of the wealth generated in Western Australia and an even greater proportion of our exports.

However, successive governments have shown themselves vulnerable to influence by sectors of the industry resulting in extraordinary inequities in its administration. There has also been a failure to capture a reasonable return to the State for the benefit of all Western Australians, not least those in the regions where the wealth is generated. The lack of a gold royalty is the best example of this.

The industry has made some celebrated gains in its practices to minimise the impact of mining on the environment. Best practice standards for rehabilitation are being adhered to by many.

However, there is still much to be done. There is widespread and serious damage to water aquifers during resource extraction, by disused pits following decommissioning and from toxic materials leaking out of tailings dams.

The failure of the Court government to quarantine National Parks and Conservation Reserves from exploration leaves little doubt that mining will follow.

 

15. Planning

The Greens (WA) will take action to implement the following measures:-

1. Review the royalties system to promote equity in the industry and greater downstream processing.

2. Introduce a royalty paid on the mining of gold. However, we recognise the need for exemptions for small marginal mines and prospectors.

3. Prohibit mining and exploration within National Parks and A Class Conservation Reserves. It is recognised that there needs to be evaluation of National Park boundaries in accordance with ecological values.

4. Review the Temporary Reserve System with an aim to phase out Temporary Reserves given that a large number of these exist within current National Parks to facilitate exploration and mining.

5. Promote decentralisation and the re-establishment of remote communities through lobbying the Federal Government to exempt housing in such communities from fringe benefits tax, changes to State Agreement Acts and resistance to fly-in/fly-out arrangements.

6. Review the management of mining activities and the decommissioning of mines to ensure the integrity of water aquifers.

7. Review design criteria and integrity of all tailing structures to ensure complete enclosure of all materials and fluids.

8. Review the Mines Act to augment the environmental responsibilities and powers of the Department of Minerals and Energy.

9. Promote greater enforcement by the Department for Environmental Protection and the Minister for the Environment of licence and ministerial conditions for the protection of the environment in relation to resource industries.

10. Expand the environmental bond system used by the Mines Department to cover all extractive industries.

11. Reject any mining of uranium.

 

The Greens (WA) will work to reverse the major changes by the Court Government in planning and administration. These have undermined the primacy of the Environmental Protection Act and eroded public participation in the planning process.

The Minister for Planning and Government planners are less accountable and secrecy has increased. The right of appeal to the Planning Minister has become open to corruption and cronyism. It should be replaced by the right to appeal to an open Land and Environment Court.

A key component in planning is transport, dominated in Western Australia by the Department for Main Roads which has a single minded focus on more and bigger roads. Urban sprawl has also been allowed to proliferate with little regard to environmental and social considerations.

A reform of government agencies is required to change planning priorities and empower citizens to better affect planning decisions.

More power to local and regional authorities together with other strategies can help reverse rural decline and curb the growth of Perth metropolitan area.

 

The Greens (WA) will take action to implement the following measures:-

1. Limit the expansion of the metropolitan area by:-

a. restriction of the metropolitan area at its current size

b. a ban on further clearing of native vegetation

c. encouragement of appropriate high density development within existing urban areas

d. encouragement of decentralisation (see below)

2. Integrate urban and environmental planning to prevent degradation of groundwater resources, natural vegetation, wetland, waterways and marine environments

3. Promote "urban villages" including the provision of local work, shopping and services within easy access of residential areas with large open spaces and green belts within walking and cycling distance

4. Promote greater protection of historic and culturally significant places and buildings

5. Develop rural centres to reverse the rural decline and offset population pressures in the metropolitan area by:-

a. increased power to local and regional authorities

b. price equalisation and target business subsidies to create sustainable rural communities

c. opposition to the Federal Government's fringe benefit taxes which make fly-in/fly-out arrangements more viable than maintaining and developing remote communities

6. Legal and administrative reform, and adequate funding to:

- empower the citizens of Western Australia to better participate in planning and environmental management

- strengthen the public agencies charged with environmental protection, and

- ensure that ecological sustainability is given priority in planning goals

by:-

a. Restoration of the primacy of the Environmental Protection Act in the planning process and of the rights of any person to refer any matter for consideration and to appeal any decision of the Environmental Protection Authority

b. Reconstitute CALM as an agency for conservation only and transfer the responsibility for forest logging to a separate agency

c. Abolition of the Department of Main Roads and establishment of new agencies for the metropolitan area and the country with responsibility for public transport, cycling, roads and other transport issues

d. Establishment of a Land and Environment Court in place of appeals to the Minister

e. Allowance of standing for private citizens and community groups on environmental grounds in proceedings of the Mining Court

f. Strengthening the rights of citizens in relation to whistleblowing, Freedom of Information, and intimidatory lawsuits by corporations 7. Increase funding for community environment groups at local, regional and state levels and for the Environmental Defenders Office (which is currently funded only from Federal sources).

8. Develop industry to meet local needs using locally based resources.

 

16. Transport

Perth is at a critical stage where our growing dependence on cars is causing congestion, air pollution and the division of communities.

Of all Australian capital cities Perth has the highest level of car ownership and one of the highest levels per capita of petrol consumption in the world. The average household in Perth spends nearly $2250 on fuel each year.

In 1996 drivers in Perth will travel more than 36 million kms per day. Planners expect this to nearly double to over 50 million kms per day in 2011. As motor vehicle emission is the major source of air pollution, levels will rise in direct proportion to the predicted increase in car use.

Trips made by public transport have decreased in recent years. In 1966 people in Perth made 20% of their journeys by public transport, today it is less than 8%.

Other cities in the world have already begun to deal with their transport issues. In Toronto, Canada a decision was made to build a new public transport system to alleviate traffic congestion and air pollution. Today 80% of trips to the city centre are made on public transport. In Munster, Germany, bicycles are used for 43% of all trips.

The present transport system runs primarily on oil. By 2025 the world's supply of cheap oil will be about half that currently available and supply for Perth transport could be only 30% of present use. Oil for agriculture and essential industry transport must have first priority.

Current levels of car travel are not viable in the short to medium term. It is essential that we shift quickly to non-oil based transport, public transport cycling and walking with future urban development based on this shift.

 

The Greens (WA) will take action to implement the following measures:-

1. Oppose the building of new freeways and major road links, including:-

a. the Northern Bypass and Northbridge Tunnel

b. the Western Suburbs Highway including the Fremantle Eastern Bypass and Coastal Highway extensions

2. Transfer monies saved from cancellation of proposed major road works to the develop public transport based on the alternative systems using rail, light rail and bus feeder networks for the following transport zones:-

a. the Kwinana Freeway corridor

b. a link to the airports from the city

c. a corridor through the north eastern suburbs

d. a southern suburbs cross-suburban link for example using the existing Kenwick to Kwinana railway with a link to Fremantle from Jandakot

e. a Northern suburbs cross-suburban link such as the proposed link from Bayswater to Balcatta along the Tonkin and Reid Highways

f. upgrading of the Armadale line for speed, amenity of stations and the removal of level crossings

g. extension of passenger services to Bellevue

3. Improve frequency, reliability and proximity of bus services. Provide bus lanes on all major routes. Provide more bus/train/park-and-ride interchanges including facilities for cyclists. Fully develop the complementary character of public transport and cycling.

4. Retain the public transport infrastructure and services in public ownership.

5. Create greater cross-suburban public transport linkages between major destinations such as the Universities, Senior High Schools, shopping centres, hospitals and industrial areas.

6. Research and expose the true cost of motorised transport including the cost of road accidents, injuries and deaths, road maintenance, loss of public space and buildings and community networks through insensitive road building and the costs of pollution.

7. Integrate transport and land-use planning to refocus urban development and industry to reduce the need to travel.

8. Address security issues such as better lighting and safety on public transport. Improve access to transport for the disadvantaged and disabled.

9. Encourage car pooling.

10. Construct more cycle/pedestrian paths in urban areas of Western Australia. Investigate other options for a more bicycle friendly city.

11. Abolish the Department of Main Roads and establish new agencies for the metropolitan area and the country with responsibility for public transport, cycling, roads and other transport issues and services.

 

17. Urban Bushland

The Greens (WA) note that there is increasing concern in the community for preservation of urban bushland and wetlands for their own sake. However, this government has presided over the destruction of over six thousand hectares of urban natural areas. The government's own Urban Bushland Strategy 1995 would be a good start, if implemented, but the government has shown little commitment to its implementation.

 

Greens (WA) will take action to implement the following measures:-

1. Prevent further clearing of areas of over one hectare of remnant bushland and wetlands within the metropolitan area.

2. Fully protect the areas identified in the System Six report. Such protection must extend to areas identified in the forthcoming System Six update.

3. Broaden the criteria for nomination of areas for additions to Systems Six to include community values and local significance.

4. Create a new zoning classification of "bushland and wetland conservation" to ensure that remnant bushland is conserved and managed for its natural attributes.

5. Vest Regional Parks in the National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority and thereby give them legal status under the Conservation and Land Management Act.

6. Expand the existing program to acquire urban bushland and wetlands.

7. Provide adequate funding to enable local authorities to manage urban bushland and wetlands for maintenance of biodiversity.

8. Create rate relief and other financial incentives to protect remnant bushland and wetlands in private ownership.

9. Provide further encouragement and increased resourcing for community management of recognised bushland and wetland areas.

10. Prevent the sale of urban bushland around schools through adequate funding of educational facilities.

 

18. Waste management

Perth's rubbish would cover the Subiaco Football oval many times over each year. We produce far too much rubbish. Of the total rubbish about 40% is of domestic origin, the rest being construction, commercial, industrial and hazardous waste.

Continual dumping of rubbish in landfill causes many problems including:

Lack of space for landfill, we are using valuable land.

Leaching from landfill leads to ground water pollution.

Production of methane and other gases which contribute to the greenhouse effect.

The waste of resources to produce products that end up at landfill including clearfelling of forests for paper, high energy usage in aluminium production etc.

We can realistically recycle up to 90% of our waste with current technology.

The Court government has set a target of 50% reduction in waste going to landfill by the year 2000. In practical terms not a lot is being done to meet this target.

And while several councils are establishing recycling programs many are not.

 

The Greens (WA) will take action to implement the following measures:-

1. Provision of Government support to local councils to introduce comprehensive recycling programs for householders and small business including:-

a. Improved collection of inorganics such as glass, paper, aluminium and steel cans.

b. Collection of toxic waste such as batteries, asbestos, paints, oil, medicines.

c. Banning green waste going to landfill and providing green waste collections for mulching.

d. Provision of food waste collections for composting and worm farming. Home composting and worm farms should also be encouraged.

2. Establish through the Department for Environmental Protection, in cooperation with other Departments and community based environment organisations, education and awareness programs for community members, the business sector and school students promoting the four "R's":- "Reduce", "Reuse", "Repair" and "Recycle".

3. Establish as a cooperative project of the Department for Environment Protection and the Department for Education, encourage the establishment of school collection facilities for those products that are presently not commercially viable for large contractors such as cork, margarine, egg containers and old clothes. This provides an educative role and financial resources for schools.

4. Require that Western Power to establish a program in cooperation with local Councils to further promote methane recovery at landfill sites for electricity generation.

5. Require that the Department of Environmental Protection to develop with Councils and the building industry, a strategy for recovery and reuse of construction waste.

 

19. APPENDIX: Umbrella Principles of Greens (WA) Policy

1. Global Balance: A careful balance between human needs and the needs of the environment requires a new awareness of their mutual vulnerability; we share one finite planet.

2. Interdependence: Societies and economies must be based on an awareness of the interdependence of all life.

3. Diversity: Recognition of the essential value of social, cultural and biological diversity enables the development of health cooperative communities of all kinds.

4. Sustainability: It is our responsibility, to future generations if not ourselves, to develop sustainable ways of life for all people.

5. Conservation imperative: Environmental and heritage conservation enhance all life and meet a real human need for a connection with nature and a sense of belonging.

6. Human rights: Human rights and responsibilities apply to all people regardless of culture, class, race, age, gender, sexuality and nationality and are essential to universal well being.

7. Indigenous Rights and Sovereignty: Indigenous peoples have rights of sovereignty over traditional land and water. They are entitled to self determination and equal cultural recognition.

8. Democracy: Peaceful, open and democratic societies can be developed through structures and processes that promote participation, empowerment, a sense of belonging, cooperation and nonviolent resolution of conflict.

9. Nonviolence: A peaceful, sustainable and just world can only be achieved by means that reject individual and structural violence.

10. Gender Equity: Gender equity is required to enable all people to reach their full human potential, for the benefit of all.

11. Economic Equity: All people have the right to share the world's resources, including the right to stable, safe and satisfying work, and a comprehensive welfare net, so that their basic needs are met.

12. Decentralisation/Self Reliance: The progressive decentralisation of political and economic power along with the promotion of self-reliant and democratic communities will improve our ability to meet social and environmental challenges.

13. Community Development: Peaceful, open and democratic societies should be developed through local structures that foster participation, empowerment, a sense of belonging and cooperation.

14. Appropriate Development: Economic and industrial development must give high priority to regional economic and cultural independence, socially useful and responsible investment and public accountability for the use of resources.