1. TACKLING THE GREENS Brian Loughnane Federal Director
Liberal Party of Australia
IDU CAMPAIGN MANAGERS MEETING

2. AUSTRALIA’S THIRD PARTY
GREENS IN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT:
5 Senators (hold balance of power in Senate with 1 Family First and 1 Independent).
1 seat held in House of Representatives from
Won in by-election, regained by Labor at 2004 election.

3. AUSTRALIA’S THIRD PARTY
GREENS IN STATE & TERRITORY PARLIAMENTS:
Western Australia: 5 (4 Upper House, 1 Lower House)
New South Wales: 4
Tasmania: 4
Australian Capital Territory: 4
Victoria: 3
South Australia: 1

4. GROWTH IN GREENS VOTE
Greens primary vote has increased at virtually every federal election since 1990.

5. GROWTH IN GREENS VOTE
Greens primary vote is currently strongest in (Labor-held) inner-city Sydney and Melbourne, and Tasmania.
SEAT
STATE
HELD BY
LABOR PRI VOTE
GREEN PRI VOTE
Melbourne
Victoria
ALP
49.5
22.8
Sydney
NSW
49.0
20.7
Grayndler
55.5
18.7
Denison
Tasmania
48.5
18.6
Batman
57.2
17.2
Bass
37.2
15.3
Fremantle WA
45.2
14.6

6. GROWTH IN GREENS VOTE
Primary vote - Dec 2009 federal by-elections: Bradfield (metro Sydney): Higgins (metro Melbourne) : 32.40

7. IMPACT OF GREENS PREFERENCES
At federal elections Greens preference votes consistently flow to Labor.

8. LIMITING THE IMPACT OF GREENS PREFERENCES
2004:

9. LIMITING THE IMPACT OF GREENS PREFERENCES
2007:

10. LIMITING THE IMPACT OF GREENS PREFERENCES
Will the same approach work in 2010? According to Liberal Party research, NO.

11. WHO ARE GREENS VOTERS IN 2010?
Q: Which one of these is a Greens voter?

12. WHO ARE GREENS VOTERS IN 2010?
A: Both of them.
According to Liberal Party research conducted in , voters giving top priority to environmental issues make up 20% of the electorate and are typically:
Over 45
White collar, high disposable income, home paid off
Low religious affiliation
High internet usage
Enjoy gardening, cultural/hobby activities and discussing issues
Average newspaper readership
Average TV/radio usage, but skewed towards ABC/SBS and AM stations (i.e. not entertainment channels)
Active on certain community issues and programs, and sometimes join non-Labor/Liberal political groups

13. WHO ARE GREENS VOTERS IN 2010?
For these Australian Greens voters:
Primary concern is the well-being of children (rather than finances or themselves)
Renewable energy, public transport, emissions trading and farming efficiency are more important than economic considerations
Have been voting Green at all levels of government for some time, and push environmental causes with family and friends
Believe Labor is better than Liberal on environmental issues

14. WHO ARE GREENS VOTERS IN 2010?
The new ‘responsible Greens voter’ no longer responds to old-style attacks on the Greens (such as highlighting extreme policies).

15. THE AUSTRALIAN GREENS IN 2010
The Greens are:
Going mainstream
Tempering policies
Having something to say on a wider range of mainstream issues
Filling the role of a viable alternative for those disaffected by the major parties
Benefitting from the fact that the environment is now a major mainstream issue

16. THE AUSTRALIAN GREENS IN 2010
International connections:
Green Institute
Est to convene the Global Greens Conference in Australia
Supports principles of environment, social justice, non-violence and democracy through training, networking, research and policy development
Has run forums and two Greens ‘schools’ – one on campaigning
Global Greens
Founded at 2001 Global Greens Conference
Includes Green parties from approx. 30 countries

17. HOW DO WE WIN BACK GREENS SUPPORTERS?
OPPORTUNITIES
Be credible on the environment
Show a direct interest in the environmental value of policy, not just the economic value
Remember that these voters are emotionally engaged in environmental issues (rational arguments on their own won’t work)
Win them over on economics, not economics of the environment
While environmental issues take precedence, Greens supporters aren’t completely oblivious to the economy
Those considering switching back to the Liberals will respond to a value message of economic responsibility
Economic management remains a key point of difference with Labor

18. HOW DO WE WIN BACK GREENS SUPPORTERS?
OPPORTUNITIES contd.
Give credit where credit is due to the role of the Greens on environmental issues
BUT
Highlight Greens’ under-preparedness across other policy areas
Set the same standards that major parties have to meet across all portfolios

19. HOW DO WE WIN BACK GREENS SUPPORTERS?
CHALLENGES
In Australia, Liberals are considered by Greens supporters to be old-fashioned and conservative
Enduring suspicion that the Liberals will always put big business first
Memories of Howard – ongoing antipathy towards previous government’s positions on Kyoto, Iraq, WorkChoices, asylum seekers