Lee Rhiannon: Political Animal

By Claudette Vaughan

The Green Movement lobbys for diversity,  individually, ethics and non-racial discrimination at a time where aboriginal and refugee rights are enmeshed in blatant hues of racism in this, the ‘lucky country’.  The enemy of both the ‘Greens’ and the Aboriginal community is production for profit under the guise of ‘quality of living’ and national interest.   With ever increasing pressures on land-based Aboriginal communities to allow mining and other developments,  the potentiality of working with the Greens in a symbiotic relationship, in that the people and the environment aren’t the losers,  is important while big business and government continue to profit. 

Understanding Aboriginal self-determination and radical politics is essential for the Australian community to progress as both sides strive to be strengthened by the process of working together.

Green politics opposes what is seen as the centralisation and giantism of modern industrial societies.  Against this, they advocate the principles of anti-hierarchy and decentralisation, drawing strongly on the ideals and methods of organisation where the political is the personal - emphasising the way decisions are made - is as important as the outcome. In Parliament, the vegan Senator in the Greens,  Lee Rhiannon, uses her voice for the disadvantaged – both for the nonhuman animal as well as the human animal. Lee Rhiannon takes time out of her busy schedule to speak to the Abolitionist-Online.

Green politics in Australia has come of age, has become more sophisticated. The strategy of lobbying on a broad range of issues to include in diverse peoples’ concerns on top of the environment ticket has paid off in wider votes and public appeal for the Greens, wouldn’t you say Lee?

We have always been like that, but many people have not been aware of our broad ranging policies. So I agree that as people are gaining an understanding that we are a political party with policies across the board, we are winning more support.  This year has been the 20^th anniversary of the formation of the Greens party in Australia.   That happened in 1985.  In doing research for a Greens event celebrating this milestone I have looked at what was happening when the first Greens party was formed. Our first members came from many different backgrounds - environmentalists, trade unionists, some ex members of the ALP and socialists. The first Greens policy document covered a wide range of issues including the threat of nuclear war, issues to do with environmental protection, rights of workers on the job, and the meaning of democracy.   It’s impressive how our forebears in the Greens got it right in deciding to form a Green party here in Australia.    They came up with a comprehensive list of policies to give a very clear vision of a society that would be more equitable, more just and more peaceful.

How do you respond to people in the Greens who hold views such as eating kangaroo and native animals is preferable to eating introduced animals?

There is always debate in the Greens on some of these policy issues.   But in terms of lifestyle I find absolute respect from my fellow Greens.

What have you been doing recently?

 I’m very happy with my work and my leisure time. I’m healthy.   I do find a lot of people ask me, when they hear I’m a vegan, “How can you be healthy?”  I feel excellent with lots of energy.   I’m 53 years old now.  I have three children whom I miss considerably now they have left home. They’re all in their 20’s. I’m now a grandmother, which is so delightful.

I believe passionately in the need for social change, environmental protection, animal rights, peace and respect in the world. The way we can achieve this is by engaging with people.  Even with people who have at one time been one’s opponent may be allies on other issues There is great opportunity to build bridges with people, in all walks of life, to work for a ‘green’, peaceful, just society.

In Sydney, two groups that have really surged ahead and developed their separate ideologies are the Green’s and the Gay, Lesbian and Transgender community.  Currently, both groups are on par with their message to encourage diversity. At different times in the past few decades the message has been about ‘equality’ or ‘tolerance’ and even ‘assimilation’ but the diversity factor really seems to work in Sydney. It’s getting through to a lot of people who normally wouldn’t hold these views.  Would you agree?

Yes, the issue of diversity has been widely accepted across Australia.  Although Prime Minister John Howard goes out of his way to undermine  multiculturism but for most Australians this is something to celebrate.  Respecting,  honouring and enjoying the strength and culture and variety of different communities is one of the exciting aspects of life in Australia in the 21^st century.   Nowadays diversity is a given in many communities - diversity in sexuality, diversity in food tastes, diversity in lifestyle, diversity in family structures etc.  Respecting diversity does not mean we don’t strive for equity.  We shouldn’t be exploited – everyone has a right to a good public education, to live in a safe, clean environment, to be able to get a rewarding, stimulating job, and to not suffer discrimination.  To my mind, diversity will flourish in a more meaningful way, if at the same time, we are also striving for equity.

Did you ever think you would ever live see in Australia this vitriolic anti-refugee hatred flourishing over the refugee intake?

Human history has its highs and lows.  We have certainly seen a few lows under the Howard government  where Malcolm Fraser, for instance,  did not play the race card at all when he was Prime Minister.   In fact he was on the other side of the ledger,  so to speak, in promoting Australia as a multicultural country. He worked to abolish the terrible racism of apartheid.  I think it’s interesting to reflect on these different journeys.

After apartheid was dismantled in South Africa a lot of white South Africans came out and admitted they didn’t know what was going on and that’s true too of a lot of white Australians. Aboriginal Rights through to refugees lacking any rights are suffering enormously in this country. To begin with, there’s no Treaty with the indigenous people of this land.  This topic isn’t even a distant speck on the political horizon yet as it has been in past years.

Yes, Aborigines still suffer discrimination in many forms. It is hard to believe that it wasn’t until 1967 that Aboriginal people won the right to vote, and to be citizens in their own country.   It’s important to acknowledge the reality of our history. Oppression of the original inhabitants has been extreme.  The solution largely lies with those who control political power.   At the moment, those who have that political power - the Coalition government -  are misusing it,  to a degree that brings more suffering and hardship for Aboriginal communities.

Frequently Lee Rhiannon’s name is up there in the news, often associated with the most controversial issues of the day.  What are you presently working on?

Macquarie Fields. This an area in south-western Sydney where there is considerable social and economic disadvantage.  What’s brought it to the fore is that after two young men died in a car crash and there was a heavy handed police response there was a series of riots. We saw various public figures being critical of the young people in that community. Yes it is a crime to steal a car and throw bricks at the police, but we need to consider the level of police response to these actions and also why they happen in the first place.

Another issue you haven’t abandoned is the Aboriginal deaths in custody crisis. What’s happening there?

We’ve been working with Eddie Murray’s family and the recent death of T.J. Hickey in Redfern is another case we have spoken out about. Again,  we share the frustrations of the families and friends of these young men.  I wish I could do more to expose what is happening. We are in the 21^st Century and still there are unexplained deaths of Aborigines occurring.   The Greens are committed to adding our voice to the growing demand that “This has to stop. We have to learn the lessons of the past”.

What about Mamdouh Habib?  Again, you were part of the welcoming party when he arrived back to these shores, his home.

There has been many impressive moments in the Greens’ history and I think one of the outstanding highlight was when Senators Bob Brown and Kerry Nettle spoke out when President George W. Bush was addressing the federal parliament. They interjected and they asked about Habib and Hicks.   These are the two Australians,  who at the time of Bush’s visit were in Guantanamo Bay with no access to basic legal rights. The Howard government has chosen to kow-tow to the Bush administration rather than fight for their own citizens.  The Australian government should have ensured, like the British government did for their citizens, that Hicks and Habib were brought back to Australia to face any charges laid in this country.  Then we had the extraordinary situation that even under the distorted legal system that the American administration had put in place for Guantanamo Bay prisoners, they still could find no way to charge Mamdouh Habib.  That’s why the Greens have been very outspoken since his return. Mr Habib deserves compensation.

You used to see every-day Australians challenge American foreign policy a lot more in Australia when the trade union movement was stronger. Do economic considerations determine everything?

There’s people still standing up to the US administration. Hundreds of thousands of people protested across Australia against the war in Iraq.   People have real concerns with American (and Australian) foreign policy but I think it is getting harder for those voices to be heard in the media.  Some people are intimidated but there are positive developments as well and people are taking a stand in many creative ways.

The Tasmanian timber company Gunns, is seeking damages of $6.3 million for the disruption to its woodchipping and logging operations.  They allege the protesters interfered with its contractual operations and indulged in “corporate vilification.” The writ itself runs into 216 pages.  What are your thoughts Lee?

This is outrageous.  Gunns is causing such terrible havoc with native forests in Tasmania, and now they are working to stop people protesting against this destruction.  This company has  taken out a writ against 20 people and organisations accusing them of causing damage by reducing their ability to make a profit. This case has nothing to do with money.  It is an attempt to intimidate people and silence their critics.   Their critics are people like Senator Bob Brown and organisations like the Wilderness Society.  Gunns misuse of the courts to intimidate people is very Un-Australian.  Gunns should withdraw their case. But they won’t.  Senator Bob Brown is working hard on this case. It’s a big one for all of us.   What we are seeing more and more are companies similar to Gunns using the courts and writs to intimidate people and further their agenda. We don’t think they can win in court but whatever happens they can’t break people’s will and we can stop woodchipping.

Lee Rhiannon MLC
www.lee.greens.org.au
Tel: 9230 3551