Byron shire councillor Ibrahim is reported as saying he’s not beholden to any of his election backers but that some of us Greens councillors are ‘of course’.
It’s not the first time he’s claimed this, he seems to believe the Greens are the product of a conspiracy. What does ‘of course’ mean?
The Greens run campaigns on the smell of an oily rag (of course, it’s renewable oil :-).
We aren’t beholden to contributors and I trust that Greens contributors support the Greens’ four principles (ecological sustainability, social justice, grassroots democracy, and peace and non-violence).
It’d be great if Sol could clarify his thought.
Does he think that we Greens have a rich psychopathic backer hell bent on the destruction of life as we know it?
Hang on, isn’t that what the BAU parties stand for (Business As Usual = Liberal, Nats and Labor).
Cr Duncan Dey, Main Arm
Relax Duncan,
not being one that ascribes to conspiracy theories, I never use the word ‘backers’ as meaning psychopaths hell bent on destruction (or domination). I was referring to the dozens of letters lately in the Echo about what the Greens Councillors should or should not be voting for. These have come from members of the Greens Party, with the local convener being very clear in his opinion of what constitutes the party line. Our good Mayor has been the target of this criticism, as has Rose Wanchap. One recent letter actually bemoaned the ‘pragmatism’ being displayed by some Greens Councillors. That is, Greens Councillors should not be making decisions based on the facts of each case, rather than on a predetermined principle or policy. What are your views on this Duncan? Was I totally wrong in saying some Greens Councillors might feel beholden to their party members? If so, then I am sorry for the mistake.
The principles of the Greens Party are very broad indeed!. Peace and non-violence? We don’t have to join a political party to hold this principle. Social justice? Where did our long established multi-billion dollar welfare system come from? Past Labor and Coalition Govts. Grass roots democracy? What does that mean? No Federal or State governments? All the power to Local Government? I wonder how that would go down with the voters? Ecological sustainability? Yes, a very important principle for all political parties to follow. However, few Council decisions relate primarily to this principle. We have many more different matters to resolve than that. When it comes to these, I believe all Councillors, no matter what political party they are associated with, should remain open minded and free of party policy.
Hope that’s clear and clean enough my friend. 🙂
I would like to see councilors spending as much time on important community matters as they do on slanging vitriol at each other. Show a little bit more maturity girls and boys. Move on and get over it. Can you understand why the large majority of Australian voters are sick of the antics of politicians at all levels.