THE CHARTER OF THE AUSTRALIAN GREENS

Reflecting an awareness of the inter-relatedness of all ecological, social and economic processes, the principles of the Australian Greens are ecology, democracy, social justice and peace:

ECOLOGY:

1. to ensure that human activity respects the integrity of ecosystems and does not impair biodiversity and the ecological resilience of life supporting systems;
2. to encourage the development of a consciousness that respects the value of life.

DEMOCRACY:

1. to increase opportunities for public participation in political, social and economic decision-making;
2. to break down inequalities of wealth and power which inhibit participatory democracy.

SOCIAL JUSTICE:

1. to eradicate poverty by developing initiatives that address the causes as well as the symptoms of poverty;
2. to provide affirmative action to eliminate discrimination based on gender, age, race, ethnicity, class, religion, disability, sexuality or membership of a minority group;
3. to introduce measures that redress the imbalance between rich and poor.

PEACE:

1. to adopt and promote a non-violent resolution of conflict;
2. to develop an independent, non-aligned foreign policy;
3. to develop a self-reliant, defensive, non-nuclear policy.

An Economically Sustainable Economy:

1. to develop economic policies which will ensure greater resource and energy efficiency as well as development and use of environmentally sustainable technologies.

Culture:

1. to respect and protect ethnic, religious and racial diversity;
2. to recognise the cultural requirements of the original Australians;
3. to assist in ensuring the achievement of Aboriginal land rights and self-determination.

Global Responsibility

To promote equity between nations and people by:
1. facilitating fair trading relationships;
2. providing for increased development assistance and concerted action to abolish Third World debt;
3. providing increased green technology transfer and skills to developing countries;
4. opposing human rights abuses and political oppression;
5. ensuring that Australia plays an active role in promoting peace and ecological sustainability.

Long Range Future Focus:

1. to avoid action which might risk long-term or irreversible damage to the environment;
2. to safeguard the planet's ecological resources on behalf of future generations;
3. to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources and ensure sustainable use of renewable resources;
4. to adopt more comprehensive social, environmental and technology assessment practices;
5. to facilitate socially and ecologically responsible investment.

Meaningful Work

1. to encourage, develop and assist work that is safe, fairly-paid, socially useful, personally fulfilling and not harmful to the environment;
2. to encourage and facilitate more flexible work arrangements, ongoing education, training and social welfare so that more people can engage in meaningful work.

Information

1. to facilitate a free flow of information between citizens and all tiers of government;
2. to ensure that Australians have the benefit of a locally responsible, diverse, democratically controlled, independent mass media.

Detailed policies of the Australian Greens and Victorian Greens are available on the Greens website by clicking on the following hotlinks: