The Australian Greens are often depicted as ‘attacking the Church’ and ‘undermining Christian values’ in our society.

 

However, many Christians see that the Greens commitment to social and economic justice, peace and non-violence, caring for the environment and participatory democracy support their own Christian values.

In fact, what they recognise is that Australian Greens policies and practices are putting Christian values into action.

Many people in the community, in seeing that Greens members, candidates and politicians come from diverse religious and non-religious backgrounds, including Christian, recognise that actions speak louder than words. It is easy to say one is a “Christian –based political party”, but do the policies and actions of these parties really carry these words into deeds?

The Australian Greens demonstrated commitment to social justice and a fair and caring society is represented in our policies and our ongoing dialogue with the established ?Christian Churches.

We believe that protecting our planet for future generations is fundamental to a values system that looks beyond the individual and the present to a healthy, safe and just future for all.

The Australian Greens oppose discrimination in all forms, whether it is based on religion, race, political affiliation or sexual identity.

We stand up for the principles of honesty and accountability in government, and regard all issues and legislation as having a moral and ethical dimension, which is reflected in our policy platform.

AUSTRALIAN GREENS POLICIES, WHICH REFLECT CHRISTIAN VALUES IN ACTION INCLUDE:

• Spending the $34 billion Howard government tax cuts on improving and rebuilding public health and education services and public transport infrastructure to benefit all Australians, now and into the future. Paid into the pockets of individuals as ‘tax rebates’, this money gives only short-term benefits to individuals. It does not build long-term benefits for the whole of society.
• Increasing the aged pension by $30 per week. Australia’s aged pensioners have not had a real pay rise since 1993.
• Investing $500 million per year for the next four years to bring the health and life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the same level as other Australians
• Redirecting the $3.5 billion Private Health insurance Rebate back into the public health system to restore public hospitals and provide proper pay and conditions for the health workforce.
• Introducing a dental scheme for aged pensioners and low income earners and their families, ensuring access to regular basic dental care for all
• Increasing the Carer allowance from $98/fortnight to $197 per fortnight so the 2.6 million of Australians who  care for elderly and disabled family members and friends receive some financial assistance to carry out this work.
• Investing $5 billion into the public education system to ensure that all Australians have access to high quality education.
• Increasing child-care payments to low and middle income families.
• Treating refugees and asylum seekers with fairness, care and compassion
• Increasing the level of overseas aid to a minimum of 0.7% of GDP by 2010.

I appreciate the time you have taken to read this article, and the effort you have made to be an informed voter. If you are interested in further information, please take time to see all Greens policies at www.greens.org.au/policies . Any queries or concerns please feel free to contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

Yours sincerely
Toni Wright-Turner    12.11.2007