The Greens have faced a challenging year, marked by electoral setbacks and internal shifts. Their representation in the lower house dwindled after losing three of their four seats, and the defection of Senator Dorinda Cox to Labor added to their woes. However, the year concluded on a more positive note with a significant legislative victory. The Greens successfully negotiated reforms to Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, securing enhanced environmental protections in exchange for their support.
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, a veteran politician and key figure in these negotiations, has been at the forefront of the Greens’ efforts. As the party’s spokesperson for both the environment and communications, Hanson-Young has been particularly vocal about the recent social media ban, which she describes as a “fake silver bullet” that could leave children in more perilous online environments.
Concerns Over Social Media Ban
This week, the social media ban came into effect, a move Hanson-Young criticizes for its potential ineffectiveness in safeguarding young people. “I have very little hope that the ban as it is right now is going to make young people safer,” she stated, expressing concerns that parents may soon find themselves frustrated with its limitations.
Hanson-Young warned, “I’m actually really worried that there’s going to be a lot of kids who fall through the cracks, [who] will find their way back onto social media or find themselves into other online spaces that are even darker and more dangerous.” She advocates for more stringent measures to compel tech companies to create safer online platforms.
One of the key things that we should be doing, and can do if the government wanted to, would be to allow users – young people in particular – to opt out of those dangerous algorithms.
Hanson-Young emphasized the need for government intervention to regulate algorithms and advertising by big tech companies, proposing a legislated legal duty of care to ensure these platforms operate safely.
Environmental Legislation Success
The Greens’ recent success in negotiating reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act stands as a testament to their resilience. Hanson-Young described the negotiations as one of the toughest in her career, highlighting the importance of securing protections for Australian bushland, native forests, and imposing restrictions on land clearing and fossil fuel project approvals.
“This was one of the toughest negotiations I’ve had in my political career,” she said. “It took a long time and not once did I think we had it in the can until right at the end.” The deal, finalized just before passing the Senate, underscores the Greens’ commitment to environmental advocacy.
Political Dynamics and Future Outlook
In the broader political landscape, Hanson-Young commented on the recent move by former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce to join One Nation, drawing parallels to the volatile alliances seen in international politics. “It reminds me of kind of what happens over in Trump land; they’re friends until they’re not, and it doesn’t seem to last very long,” she remarked.
Meanwhile, the Greens are navigating their internal challenges with optimism. Despite the blow of losing former leader Adam Bandt’s seat, Hanson-Young remains hopeful about the party’s trajectory. “We lost those three lower house seats, including our leader’s seat, and that really knocks your confidence around,” she acknowledged. However, she pointed out the near-record high Green vote across the country as a sign of enduring support.
The recent environment law reform negotiations, getting that done, having the backing of the community, getting A$50 million dollars extra for the ABC – the Greens are back. We’ve got our confidence back and we’re feeling really good.
As the Greens regroup and strategize for the future, their focus remains on advocating for robust environmental policies and ensuring safer digital spaces for young Australians. The party’s recent legislative achievements and ongoing efforts to address pressing social issues signal a renewed vigor as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
