Tasmanian Greens

The Tasmanian Greens are a political party who developed from numerous environmental campaigns in Tasmania including the flooding of Lake Pedder and the building of the Franklin Dam.

Related Topics:
Tasmania - Lake Pedder - Franklin Dam

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Although a member of the Australian Democrats, Norm Sanders was also a co-founder of the Tasmanian Wilderness Society and was closely affiliated with the Greens. In 1980 he became Australia's first elected "Green" member of parliament.

Related Topics:
Australian Democrats - Norm Sanders - Tasmanian Wilderness Society - 1980

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In 1982 Sanders quit to run for the Senate at the height of the Franklin River campaign.

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Bob Brown who had also contested the previous election, was in jail at the time for obstructing workers at the Franklin River dam site. Following a countback on votes, Brown was released from prison and found himself as a member of parliament.

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In 1989, a total of 5 Greens - Christine Milne, Gerry Bates, Lance Armstrong, Di Hollister and Brown - were elected after a community backlash against a proposed paper pulp mill at Wesley Vale, near Devonport.

Related Topics:
1989 - Christine Milne - Gerry Bates - Lance Armstrong - Di Hollister - Devonport

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The Greens held the balance of power in the government for three years, keeping Michael Field's minority Labor Party government in power.

Related Topics:
Michael Field - Labor Party

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In 1996, the Greens again held the balance of power, this time with a Liberal government.

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After 7 years of minority governments, the Labor and Liberal parties passed a bill reducing the number of Lower House seats, thus greatly increasing the quota of votes needed under Tasmania's Hare Clark voting system.

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In 1998 a majority Labour government was voted in, along with a sole Green Member - Peg Putt - who had little chance of exercising any influence, but would offer Green-based bills into Parliament knowing they would in all likelihood be voted against by both Liberal and Labor parties.

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2002 saw a major resurgence of their popularity, with the party reclaiming 4 seats, and outpolling the Liberal party in the Hobart based seat of Denison. The swing was primarily against the Liberal Party, while the Labor party continued in the majority. The 18.2% vote in 2002 was the highest vote recorded for a Green party at a state or national level anywhere in the world.

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The current Tasmanian Greens members of the Tasmanian House of Assembly are Peg Putt, Nick McKim, Tim Morris and Kim Booth.

Related Topics:
Peg Putt - Nick McKim - Tim Morris - Kim Booth

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At the 2004 federal election, former Tasmanian Greens leader Christine Milne and WA's Rachel Siewert joined Bob Brown and NSW's Kerry Nettle in the Senate, doubling the Green representation.

Related Topics:
Rachel Siewert - Kerry Nettle

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On 23 July 2005 the Greens celebrated 33.3 years of political activity and achievements, with a large party entitled "33-and-a-third - Now we're Long Playing!"

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