The Australian Greens have faced a challenging year, marked by electoral setbacks and internal shifts. However, a recent legislative victory has provided a glimmer of hope for the party. Veteran senator Sarah Hanson-Young, a key figure in the Greens’ negotiations, has been vocal about the party’s achievements and concerns, particularly regarding the new social media ban set to take effect this week.
Hanson-Young, who has served in parliament for nearly two decades, described the social media ban as a “fake silver bullet” that could inadvertently place children in more perilous online environments. “I have very little hope that the ban as it is right now is going to make young people safer,” she stated. “I think parents are going to be frustrated over the next few months that it’s not the silver bullet that it’s been promised to be.”
Social Media Ban: A Controversial Measure
The social media ban, which aims to protect young users from harmful content, has sparked debate across political lines. Hanson-Young expressed concerns that the ban might push children towards even more dangerous online spaces. “I’m actually really worried that there’s going to be a lot of kids who fall through the cracks,” she warned.
Hanson-Young emphasized the need for more robust measures against big tech companies, suggesting that allowing users to opt out of harmful algorithms could significantly enhance online safety. “If you could turn those algorithms off for young people in particular, that would be a huge step forward to making people safer,” she proposed.
“The next thing the government should do, and they should announce it this week, that they’re going to regulate algorithms, they’re gonna regulate the advertising of these big companies, and they’re going to put in place a legislated legal duty of care on these companies.”
Environmental Legislation: A Hard-Fought Victory
Despite the setbacks, the Greens ended the year on a high note by successfully negotiating reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. This legislative triumph, which passed last month, was spearheaded by Hanson-Young and her colleagues. The reforms are seen as a crucial step in enhancing protections for Australia’s natural landscapes.
“This was one of the toughest negotiations I’ve had in my political career,” Hanson-Young revealed. The agreement includes new protections for native forests, restrictions on land clearing, and measures to prevent fast-tracking of fossil fuel projects. “These were all important things that we couldn’t let pass us by,” she added.
Political Dynamics and Future Outlook
The political landscape continues to shift, with former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce recently joining One Nation. Hanson-Young questioned the longevity of this political alliance, drawing parallels to other short-lived partnerships in Australian politics.
Meanwhile, the Greens are navigating their own internal challenges following the loss of three lower house seats, including that of former leader Adam Bandt. Despite this, Hanson-Young remains optimistic about the party’s future. “We’ve got our confidence back and we’re feeling really good,” she asserted.
Looking ahead, the Greens are focusing on consolidating their gains and pushing for further legislative reforms. With renewed confidence and a clear agenda, they aim to strengthen their position as a formidable force in Australian politics.
