This charter was originally taken from the web-site of Senator Bob Brown.
Reflecting an awareness of the interrelatedness of all ecological, social and economic processes, the general principles of The Greens are to:
Ecology
- ensure that human activity respects the integrity of ecosystems and does not impair biodiversity and the ecological resilience of life-supporting systems
- encourage the development of a consciousness that respects the value of all life
Democracy
- increase opportunities for public participation in political, social and economic decision making
- break down inequalities of wealth and power which inhibit participatory democracy
Social Justice
- eradicate poverty by developing initiatives that address the causes, as well as the symptoms of poverty
- provide affirmative action to eliminate discrimination based on gender, age, race, ethnicity, class, religion, disability, sexuality or membership of a minority group
- introduce measures that redress the imbalance between rich and poor
Peace
- adopt and promote a non-violent resolution of conflict
- develop an independent, nonaligned foreign policy
- develop a self-reliant, defensive, non-nuclear defence policy
An Ecologically Sustainable Economy
- develop economic policies which will ensure greater resource and energy efficiency as well as development and use of environmentally sustainable technologies
Global Responsibility
Promote equity between nations and peoples by:
- facilitating fair trading relationships
- providing for increased development assistance and concerted international action to abolish Third World debt
- providing increased green technology transfer and skills to developing countries
- opposing human rights abuses and politicaloppression
- ensuring that Australia plays an active role in promoting peace and ecological sustainability
Long-range Future Focus
- avoid action which might risk long-term or irreversible damage to the environment
- safeguard the planet’s ecological resources on behalf of future generations
- reduce dependence oil non-renewable resources and ensure sustainable use of renewable resources
- adopt more comprehensive social, environmental and technology assessment practices
- facilitate socially and ecologically responsible investment
Meaningful Work
- encourage, develop and assist work that is safe, fairly paid, socially useful, personally fulfilling and not harmful to the environment
- encourage and facilitate more flexible work arrangements, on-going education, training, and social welfare so that more people can engage in meaningful work
Culture
- respect and protect ethnic, religious and racial diversity
- recognise the Cultural requirements of the original Australians
- assist in ensuring the achievements of Aboriginal land rights and self-determination
Information
- Facilitate a free flow of information between citizens and all tiers of government
- ensure that Australians have the benefit of a locally responsible, diverse, democratically controlled, independent mass media
