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| Christine Milne | |
|---|---|
| Name | Christine Milne |
| Birth date | 14 May 1953 |
| Birth place | Latrobe, Tasmania, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Party | Tasmanian Greens (until 1992), Australian Greens |
| Alma mater | University of Tasmania |
| Offices | Leader of the Australian Greens (2012–2015) |
Christine Milne (born 14 May 1953) is an Australian politician and environmentalist who served as Leader of the Australian Greens and as a Senator for Tasmania. She is known for advocacy on climate change, renewable energy, conservation, and social justice across Tasmanian and federal politics.
Milne was born in Latrobe, Tasmania, and grew up in northern Tasmania near Devonport and Ulverstone, regions associated with Bass Strait maritime trade and Tasmanian agriculture. She attended local schools before studying at the University of Tasmania, where she engaged with student organisations and community groups linked to conservation efforts exemplified by campaigns around Gordon-below-Franklin and debates sparked by the Tasmanian Wilderness Society. Her formative years coincided with high-profile environmental controversies such as the Franklin Dam dispute and national debates involving figures like Bob Brown and organisations like the Australian Conservation Foundation.
Milne's entry into politics came through environmental activism and union work; she became involved with the Tasmanian Wilderness Society and campaigned alongside activists from the Lock the Gate Alliance era and allies who had previously opposed development projects promoted by entities like Hydro-Electric Commission (Tasmania). She was associated with the early formation of the Tasmanian Greens and worked with community groups that intersected with movements around the Australian Council of Trade Unions and local branches of national organisations such as the Australian Democrats during the 1970s and 1980s. Her activism overlapped with national campaigns influenced by public figures including David Bellamy and international environmental debates reflected at conferences attended by representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme.
Milne was elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly as a member for Lyons representing the Tasmanian Greens, entering state politics at a time when Tasmania was central to national conservation struggles involving the Franklin Dam and debates over hydroelectric development by the Hydro-Electric Commission (Tasmania). In state parliament she worked on legislation and inquiries related to forestry disputes with corporations linked to the timber industry and engaged with federal institutions such as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation on regional environmental assessments. Milne collaborated with Tasmanian politicians including Jim Bacon and opponents from the Liberal Party of Australia and the Australian Labor Party (Tasmanian Branch), navigating coalitions and minority government dynamics characteristic of Tasmanian politics. Her state career placed her in contact with conservationists, community legal centres, and researchers from the University of Tasmania and national environmental NGOs such as World Wide Fund for Nature.
Milne was elected to the Australian Senate representing Tasmania as a member of the Australian Greens, succeeding long-term Greens figures and working alongside senators such as Bob Brown, Sarah Hanson-Young, and later colleagues like Richard Di Natale and Scott Ludlam. She became Leader of the Australian Greens in 2012, taking over leadership during a period of national debate over climate policy that included interactions with leaders such as Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott, and Kevin Rudd. In the Senate she participated in negotiations over legislation including carbon pricing proposals and climate packages associated with cabinets led by Julia Gillard and policy initiatives debated during the Rudd government (2013) period, engaging with Coalition figures from the Liberal Party of Australia and crossbenchers such as those from the Nick Xenophon Team. Her parliamentary work involved committee service and interactions with agencies like the Department of the Environment (Australia) and inquiries influenced by submissions from groups including the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Climate Council.
Milne championed strong action on climate change, advocating for renewable energy transition and ambitious emissions reduction targets in line with international frameworks such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement negotiations. She supported conservation measures for Tasmanian wilderness areas protected under laws like the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and campaigned against logging practices tied to companies operating in regions of the Tasmanian temperate rainforests. On economic and social issues she promoted progressive taxation reform debated alongside proposals from parties including the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal Party of Australia, campaigned for Indigenous rights resonating with organisations like the Australian Indigenous Leaders' Forum and supported refugee policies critiquing detention approaches practiced at facilities such as those in Christmas Island and Nauru. Milne also advocated for anti-nuclear policies consistent with positions held by groups such as the Australian Conservation Foundation and supported public health and social welfare measures discussed in forums involving the Australian Medical Association.
After resigning from parliamentary leadership and the Senate, Milne remained active in environmental and policy circles, engaging with think tanks and advocacy organisations including the Australia Institute and the Climate Council, and speaking at conferences attended by international delegates from bodies like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. She continued to collaborate with state-based NGOs such as the Tasmanian Land Conservancy and participated in campaigns concerning renewable energy projects and biodiversity protection that intersected with regional development debates involving infrastructure authorities and industry stakeholders. Milne has contributed to public discourse through lectures, panel discussions, and writings alongside former politicians like Bob Brown and policymakers from institutions like the Grattan Institute.
Milne's personal profile includes recognition from environmental networks and community organisations; she has been acknowledged by conservation groups and featured in media outlets alongside commentators from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and papers such as The Australian. She has been honoured in forums that have included representatives from academia at the University of Tasmania and civic organisations. Milne's engagements post-politics have connected her with international environmental leaders and Nobel laureate-associated events, reflecting ongoing influence in debates involving climate science, energy policy, and conservation law.
Category:1953 births Category:Australian politicians Category:Australian Greens politicians