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OUR HISTORY

The Australian Greens are part of a web of Green parties and Green movements that have sprung up around the globe, seeking a sustainable equitable relationship between the world's peoples, as well as between the people and the planet itself.

The Australian Greens have developed in different states in different ways and at different times. By and large, active members have come from the social justice, peace and environmental movements.

Organised political activity began in Tasmania in 1972 when the United Tasmania Group stood candidates in the state election. Their early campaigns included law reform, consumer rights and opposition to clear fell logging and the flooding of Lake Pedder. The first candidate to be elected to state parliament was Dr Bob Brown in 1983.

In the early 1990s, with major parties backing away from environmental and social justice commitments, key activists from around Australia met to set up a new political party. The Australian Greens was formed on 31 August 1992. Existing state Green parties were incorporated and new bodies were created to form a truly national structure. This process was completed in October 2003 when the Western Australian Greens voted overwhelmingly to join the national body.

The Australian Greens SA are the youngest affiliated state body of the Australian Greens. A sustainable organisation was created in the latter half of 1995 when local activists and environmental campaigners held a number of meetings with Bob Brown. This enthusiastic group quickly evolved a formal structure in time for the 1996 federal election in which a Green candidate stood in every seat.

Over the last few years, the Australian Greens SA have contested both State and Federal elections. The partly has cemented a place in South Australian politics by being a strong voice for a sustainable ecological, economic and humane future. A rapidly growing membership and a significant increase in general voter support mean the party's future is strong. Many people have turned to the Greens in response to the unsustainable shortsighted inhumane policies of the conservative parties with many others coming to the Greens because of the principles clearly stated in our Charter.

The Australian Greens SA have actively campaigned on a wide variety of issues including uranium mining, the bridge to Kumarangk (Hindmarsh Island), the GST, Jabiluka, the West Beach marina, Asylum Seekers, the anti-war movement, and Asio legislation.

Mark Parnell was the first South Australian Green elected to parliament. He was elected in March 2006 and is a member of the Legislative Council, the state's upper house. Mark has and his team have been working hard to represent the views of Greens in South Australia. Visit his web site to see some of his work in parliament and out in the community.

Sarah Hanson-Young was elected to the Senate in the 2007 Federal Election and became not only South Australia's first Greens Senator, but the youngest Senator ever elected to Parliament. With the other four Greens Senators, Sarah is committed to 'changing the climate' of politics in Canberra.

Currently the Greens have over 17 State and Federal Members around Australia. We continue to grow because we are the only party that is concerned about the long term future of this planet and it's inhabitants.

You can help us to grow by becoming a member and getting involved.