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| The Greens (WA) | |
|---|---|
| Name | The Greens (WA) |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Perth, Western Australia |
| Ideology | Green politics, environmentalism, social justice, grassroots democracy |
| Position | Left |
| Seats title | Parliament of Western Australia |
The Greens (WA) are a state political party active in Perth, Western Australia and across Western Australia that advocates environmental protection, social justice, and participatory democracy. Formed amid national and international green movements, the party has contested elections for the Parliament of Western Australia, the Australian Senate, and local councils while engaging with unions, non-governmental organisations, and Indigenous groups. The party’s activities intersect with state law, environmental campaigns, and national Green federations, influencing public debate on mining, water, and conservation.
The party emerged in the early 1990s alongside the formation of Australian Greens affiliates and drew inspiration from international green organisations such as the Green Party of England and Wales, The Greens–European Free Alliance, and the German Green Party (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen). Early campaigns connected with high-profile events including protests at the Roe 8 road project, campaigns around the Frankland River and the Peel-Harvey Estuary, and advocacy related to the Woomera Prohibited Area debates. Influences included litigation before the High Court of Australia on electoral matters, interactions with the Environmental Protection Authority (Western Australia), and responses to policy initiatives from premiers such as Carmen Lawrence, Richard Court, and Graham Kierath. The party has engaged with grassroots movements like Friends of the Earth (Australia), Lock the Gate Alliance, and The Wilderness Society in opposing projects by companies such as BHP, Rio Tinto, and Woodside Petroleum.
The party operates through local branches in regions including South West (Western Australia), Pilbara, Kimberley (Western Australia), and the Great Southern (Western Australia), coordinating via a state council that interacts with federal bodies like Australian Greens. Decision-making draws on practices from consensus decision-making traditions and organisational models used by Greenpeace and Amnesty International (Australian Section). The party fields candidates for seats such as Perth, Fremantle, North Metropolitan Region, and liaises with electoral administrators including the Western Australian Electoral Commission. Funding sources historically included membership dues, donations from supporters, and crowdfunding campaigns associated with activists from GetUp!, Friends of the Earth (Australia), and community legal centres like Environmental Defenders Office (WA).
Platform priorities reflect principles of green politics similar to those articulated by Rachel Carson-inspired environmentalism, Gaia hypothesis-influenced sustainability, and social-democratic currents seen in parties such as Australian Labor Party branches but distinct in emphasis. Policy areas have included opposition to expanded fossil fuel extraction promoted by companies like Chevron (company), advocacy for renewable projects supported by Australian Renewable Energy Agency, and protection of biodiversity in locations such as the Shark Bay World Heritage Area and the Swan River (Western Australia). The party supported native title recognition following decisions like Mabo v Queensland (No 2), engaged with Indigenous organisations including the Noongar community, and promoted public health measures resonant with campaigns led by carers and organisations such as Australian Medical Association affiliates.
Electoral contests have included runs for the Australian Senate, where statewide quotas and proportional representation apply, and for the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia and Legislative Council of Western Australia. The party has secured representation in the Legislative Council from regions including South Metropolitan Region and East Metropolitan Region and contested lower house seats such as Albany and Kalgoorlie. Campaign strategies have been influenced by electoral law set by the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and state electoral redistributions overseen by the Western Australian Electoral Commission. Vote share has fluctuated with national trends affecting Australian Greens and been shaped by campaigns against projects by corporations like Fortescue Metals Group and policy disputes with the Liberal Party of Australia (Western Australian Division) and the Australian Labor Party (WA).
Notable figures associated with the party have interacted with leaders from organisations and movements such as Bob Brown of the federal Greens, Christine Milne, and state politicians who served in the Parliament of Western Australia. Activists and officeholders have included councillors from councils like the City of Fremantle, community advocates linked to WA Council of Social Service, and former candidates who later participated in federal bodies connected to Senator Adam Bandt and Senator Penny Wright. Leadership roles have involved campaigning with unions including the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union on environmental transitions and policy dialogues with academic institutions such as the University of Western Australia and the Murdoch University.
The party has influenced policy debates on conservation areas like the Karijini National Park and marine parks such as Rowley Shoals, contributed to public inquiries like those chaired by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administrative Investigations (Ombudsman) (Western Australia), and partnered with research bodies including the CSIRO on renewable energy feasibility. Campaign wins and pressure have led to revisions in approvals by the Environmental Protection Authority (Western Australia) and adjustments to heritage protections involving the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA) and consultations with bodies such as the National Native Title Tribunal.
Critics from the Liberal Party of Australia (Western Australian Division), Australian Labor Party (WA), industry groups like the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia, and media outlets including The West Australian have challenged the party on economic impacts of its policies, electoral tactics, and internal governance. Controversies have included disputes over candidate preselections, conflicts with activist groups such as Extinction Rebellion and debates concerning positions on contentious projects involving Woodside Petroleum and Chevron (company). Legal challenges and media scrutiny have arisen in the context of planning approvals overseen by state ministers and tribunals including the State Administrative Tribunal of Western Australia.