Greens celebrate 20 years in local politics

Twenty years ago today the first Greens were elected to local council in NSW and running on the Greens principal of ecological sustainability and economic and social justice, they now have five mayors across the state.

The Greens are celebrating 20 years in local politics as last week two decades since Bruce Welch and John Sutton were famously elected to Marrickville Council and Newcastle Council respectively.

Tonight will see all 11 of the elected Greens from the Marrickville seat come together to celebrate their success and longevity at the home of their achievement in Petersham Town Hall.

Just as they do now, the Greens begun their campaign on the principles of open council, bottom-up democracy and social justice.

Greens NSW MP and local government spokesperson David Shoebridge said: “From two councilors in 1991 to 74 today, including five mayors, Greens representatives in local government have built a solid foundation for progressive politics in NSW.

“Greens initiatives on Marrickville Council have seen the construction of a world-class renewable energy driven aquatic centre and the reintroduction of apprenticeships to the area after they were abolished by Labor.

“The Greens have traditionally pursued policies on the basis of what is right, not what is just politically convenient or easy,” Mr Shoebridge said.

Dominic O’Sullivan, a lecturer in Politics at Charles Sturt University, said the Greens have brought an alternative perspective to the political arena.

“The Greens have forced major parties to pay more serious attention to environmental concerns,” he said.

“They have also brought a naivety to broader economic and social policy.”

Greens local government support worker Colin Hesse, said the Greens’ success has demonstrated the community role played by the party over the last 20 years.

“Playing that part in our community has been important for all of us, throughout these 20 years we have been part of a change in culture in local government,” he said.

“We have demonstrated to the community that we walk to talk, we listen and we work hard. . . We give the community confidence, as well as respecting the past and looking to build the future.”

By Georgia Fullerton