Speaker
Senator Richard Di Natale   :)
Recent Speaker
Leader of the Australian Greens
Wednesday, 30 September 2015


Five months after becoming leader of the Australian Greens Dr Richard Di Natale will speak about his vision for the party and the nation.

To meet the global challenges of the 21st century and unlock our potential Australia needs leadership, not a lazy reliance on the solutions of the last century. The Greens have the leadership, vision and courage to chart a new course for a confident, caring and prosperous Australia.

Dr Richard Di Natale is the Leader of the Australian Greens. He has the portfolios of health, multiculturalism and sport.

Prior to entering parliament in 2011, Richard was a general practitioner and public health specialist. He worked in Aboriginal health in the Northern Territory, on HIV prevention in India and in the drug and alcohol sector.

Richard's achievements in parliament so far include: securing almost $5 billion towards Medicare-funded dentistry, winning a campaign to divest $250 million worth of tobacco stocks from the Future Fund, and spearheading senate inquiries into many issues of public significance such as dying with dignity, superbugs, hospital funding, budget cuts, medicinal cannabis, air pollution, pharmaceutical transparency and gambling reform.

Richard, his wife Lucy and two young sons live on a working farm in the foothills of Victoria's Otway Range. The son of Italian migrants, Richard grew up in Melbourne. He played VFA football for six years and is a long-suffering Richmond Tigers fan.

Looking forward to it ...

How much further right will your glorious leader move the Greens?

But there will be a ton of gestures, reams of hollow rhetoric.

Thats a very good CV.

i like that he is interested in dying with dignity, superbugs, hospital funding, tobacco and gambling.

i like that he played football and lives on a farm.

maybe he can be drafted to the liberal party. they could use someone with some life experience

Probably a lot easier to shift the progressive support base of the Liberals to the Greens. The Libs are a divided and warring party that would't like thinking people like Richard leading them. Especially those lib neoconservatives.

Greens are just another flavor of Lib after all.

Sure they are ... the more logical and progressive flavour of both old parties.

No, conservative like the Libs, couple progressive figleaf policies is all.

Conservative = not desiring change.
Greens desire a revolution towards sustainability which is progressive in nature.

Your logic doesn't hold up to scrutiny.

But the greens SAY they want that, but don’t ACT like it.

Voted no to the CPRS. Never ever forget that!

Insisted on a long period of fixed price ETS, made it easy for abbott to rescind.

Nope, NOTHING in the Greens voting record to suggest they are progressive. They even liked the wealthfare PPL brainfart of abbott.

Jovial Monk wrote on Sep 30^th, 2015 at 10:00am:

But the greens SAY they want that, but don’t ACT like it. Voted no to the CPRS. Never ever forget that! Insisted on a long period of fixed price ETS, made it easy for abbott to rescind. Nope, NOTHING in the Greens voting record to suggest they are progressive. They even liked the wealthfare PPL brainfart of abbott.

gees monk I do hope that smoking shed you plan to build will not be a polluting machine...nah of course it wouldnt be...no smoke without fire and fire is a no no... ::) ::)
that pizza oven will have to go as well...makes far too much carbon. you will have to start getting used to RAW I am afraid... ;D ;D.. its the only way to save the planet...

____ wrote on Sep 30^th, 2015 at 9:56am:

Conservative = not desiring change. Greens desire a revolution towards sustainability which is progressive in nature. Your logic doesn't hold up to scrutiny.

Yet in a way, the Greens ARE conservative. Do the Greens desire digging up our farmland for coal mines or do they want to leave the farmland as it is?

The Greens have to keep their wealthy, inner city professional base happy. So they never support anything that might cost that base any money—their base wanting to feel good about themselves while insisting they have to pay nothing to any real effort on climate change etc.

Greens—gestures, stunts and hollow rhetoric is all. Pretend left, pretend progressive.

Bam wrote on Sep 30^th, 2015 at 10:20am:

____ wrote on Sep 30th, 2015 at 9:56am: Conservative = not desiring change. Greens desire a revolution towards sustainability which is progressive in nature. Your logic doesn't hold up to scrutiny. Yet in a way, the Greens ARE conservative. Do the Greens desire digging up our farmland for coal mines or do they want to leave the farmland as it is?

Coal mines destroying ground water, fertile land, and burning the coal has the negative ramifications we now are understanding ... this doesn't assist in stepping us towards a sustainable economy in the future.

It's the bigger picture that the Greens are progressive. A revolution towards a sustainable society and economy.

That would only apply if I was going to use coal in my cold smoker or pizza oven, cods. I have zero intention of doing that!

Jovial Monk wrote on Sep 30^th, 2015 at 10:34am:

The Greens have to keep their wealthy, inner city professional base happy. So they never support anything that might cost that base any money—their base wanting to feel good about themselves while insisting they have to pay nothing to any real effort on climate change etc. Greens—gestures, stunts and hollow rhetoric is all. Pretend left, pretend progressive.

I am starting to suspect jealousy of some of Greens' support base.
I would in an instant be happy to pay more tax if it went directly to assisted the most vulnerable of our society up ... like the homeless, the victims of domestic violence, the mentally and physically ill etc.

This is why I would support complete transparency of our monetary system and then choice of where one's taxes are invested.

No, I just don’t like hypocrisy and bulldust and the Green Party is built from both.

You can’t refute me, can you? So out come the insults  ;D

____ wrote on Sep 30^th, 2015 at 10:43am:

Bam wrote on Sep 30th, 2015 at 10:20am: ____ wrote on Sep 30th, 2015 at 9:56am: Conservative = not desiring change. Greens desire a revolution towards sustainability which is progressive in nature. Your logic doesn't hold up to scrutiny. Yet in a way, the Greens ARE conservative. Do the Greens desire digging up our farmland for coal mines or do they want to leave the farmland as it is? Coal mines destroying ground water, fertile land, and burning the coal has the negative ramifications we now are understanding ... this doesn't assist in stepping us towards a sustainable economy in the future. It's the bigger picture that the Greens are progressive. A revolution towards a sustainable society and economy.

Nothing wrong with that, and nothing wrong with conserving our farmland and resources. One can be progressive in some things and conservative in others.

Just watched this on u tube well worth a look.

Whilst only offering an initial impression, i think he is quite "John Howard" like and the sort of understated politician who may do well.

Politics, after all is about leadership and nowadays with the media grab, it is about appearing confident and emotionally controlled.

Nothing "freaks out: those in the "herd" more then a leader who appears "overly emotional".

SHY is probably the archtype of this sort of personality and the greens recieved good advice in not having her in a leadership role.

Dr Nutella's problem may well be dealing with the overly emotional (mainly women..sorry if that sounds sexist) at the top of his party.

They seem to occupy the twittersphere with a lot of very drama queen, princess and teenage tantrum type behaviour.

Will they warm to a "man" from the "professions" who seems very logical and a touch bland.
Will this guy be able to satisfy their needs for that "range of emotions" and that "drama" which green voters seem almost addicted to?

time will tell.

he may well get rolled.

that would be a mistake and show a lack of maturity from the green leadership team.

aquascoot wrote on Oct 1^st, 2015 at 7:21am:

Whilst only offering an initial impression, i think he is quite "John Howard" like and the sort of understated politician who may do well. Politics, after all is about leadership and nowadays with the media grab, it is about appearing confident and emotionally controlled. Nothing "freaks out: those in the "herd" more then a leader who appears "overly emotional".

Yet Bob Hawke was very emotional and was popular.

SHY’s problem is she is a flaming hypocrite, those crocodile tears over drowning ASs while she prevented the Malaysian Solution—the boats and drownings really increased after that foul decision by the two conservative Parties, the Libs and Greens. They made the hellholes of Nauru and Manus Is inevitable. No ethics there, just party politics.

aquascoot wrote on Oct 1^st, 2015 at 7:21am:

Whilst only offering an initial impression, i think he is quite "John Howard" like and the sort of understated politician who may do well. Politics, after all is about leadership and nowadays with the media grab, it is about appearing confident and emotionally controlled. Nothing "freaks out: those in the "herd" more then a leader who appears "overly emotional". SHY is probably the archtype of this sort of personality and the greens recieved good advice in not having her in a leadership role. Dr Nutella's problem may well be dealing with the overly emotional (mainly women..sorry if that sounds sexist) at the top of his party. They seem to occupy the twittersphere with a lot of very drama queen, princess and teenage tantrum type behaviour. Will they warm to a "man" from the "professions" who seems very logical and a touch bland. Will this guy be able to satisfy their needs for that "range of emotions" and that "drama" which green voters seem almost addicted to? time will tell. he may well get rolled. that would be a mistake and show a lack of maturity from the green leadership team.

I think you should friend him on facebook,  aquascoot.

Jovial Monk wrote on Sep 30^th, 2015 at 10:48am:

That would only apply if I was going to use coal in my cold smoker or pizza oven, cods. I have zero intention of doing that!

whatever you use will make carbon...this is the problem and one the fanatics wont face...you cannot breath without creating adding causing....its the way we are the way we were made lets face it we wouldnt have had years of coal if we hadnt had years of  fire in the first place..[all bloody carbon making].its called evolution

the earth the world it heals itself...its meant too. just like humans you graze a knee the body takes care of it..  we havent re grown a limb yet but I am sure its round the corner...

we get masses of flooding this all cleans and heals the earth... its meant too..

do you honestly think fire floods and tempest were sent to destroy the planet???>.....

no they were challenges we needed to find their uses ...and so far we are doing alright.....I love a pizza cooked in a wood burning oven... ;) ;).. but the fanatics have said thats wrong... :'( :'(

they havent stopped forest fires though have they..or those bloody volcanoes....

Stuff the fanatics.

I will build my woodfired pizza and bread oven. Send you a slice if you like  ;D

Bam wrote on Sep 30^th, 2015 at 10:20am:

____ wrote on Sep 30th, 2015 at 9:56am: Conservative = not desiring change. Greens desire a revolution towards sustainability which is progressive in nature. Your logic doesn't hold up to scrutiny. Yet in a way, the Greens ARE conservative. Do the Greens desire digging up our farmland for coal mines or do they want to leave the farmland as it is?

Definition time   ::)

Jovial Monk wrote on Sep 30^th, 2015 at 10:34am:

The Greens have to keep their wealthy, inner city professional base happy. So they never support anything that might cost that base any money—their base wanting to feel good about themselves while insisting they have to pay nothing to any real effort on climate change etc. Greens—gestures, stunts and hollow rhetoric is all. Pretend left, pretend progressive.

Why trip for: don't you realise there are limits to everything?

Are you saying The Greens should be God-like ??

____ wrote on Sep 30^th, 2015 at 10:48am:

Jovial Monk wrote on Sep 30th, 2015 at 10:34am: The Greens have to keep their wealthy, inner city professional base happy. So they never support anything that might cost that base any money—their base wanting to feel good about themselves while insisting they have to pay nothing to any real effort on climate change etc. Greens—gestures, stunts and hollow rhetoric is all. Pretend left, pretend progressive. I am starting to suspect jealousy of some of Greens' support base. I would in an instant be happy to pay more tax if it went directly to assisted the most vulnerable of our society up ... like the homeless, the victims of domestic violence, the mentally and physically ill etc. This is why I would support complete transparency of our monetary system and then choice of where one's taxes are invested.

I can't support choice as to where ones taxes go other than at election: otherwise there is no point to a representative system!

Given that, a two party system is next to a one party system i.e. not much choice! This sentence can be classed as pure cynicism of course. Or is it critique? --->..we're all judges  :o :o :o

Jovial Monk wrote on Sep 30^th, 2015 at 10:50am:

No, I just don’t like hypocrisy and bulldust and the Green Party is built from both. You can’t refute me, can you? So out come the insults  ;D

Hypocrisy is not owned by The Greens  ;)

Bam wrote on Sep 30^th, 2015 at 10:51am:

____ wrote on Sep 30th, 2015 at 10:43am: Bam wrote on Sep 30th, 2015 at 10:20am: ____ wrote on Sep 30th, 2015 at 9:56am: Conservative = not desiring change. Greens desire a revolution towards sustainability which is progressive in nature. Your logic doesn't hold up to scrutiny. Yet in a way, the Greens ARE conservative. Do the Greens desire digging up our farmland for coal mines or do they want to leave the farmland as it is? Coal mines destroying ground water, fertile land, and burning the coal has the negative ramifications we now are understanding ... this doesn't assist in stepping us towards a sustainable economy in the future. It's the bigger picture that the Greens are progressive. A revolution towards a sustainable society and economy. Nothing wrong with that, and nothing wrong with conserving our farmland and resources. One can be progressive in some things and conservative in others.

Limits: now we have a real discussion!

aquascoot wrote on Oct 1^st, 2015 at 7:21am:

Whilst only offering an initial impression, i think he is quite "John Howard" like and the sort of understated politician who may do well. Politics, after all is about leadership and nowadays with the media grab, it is about appearing confident and emotionally controlled. Nothing "freaks out: those in the "herd" more then a leader who appears "overly emotional". SHY is probably the archtype of this sort of personality and the greens recieved good advice in not having her in a leadership role. Dr Nutella's problem may well be dealing with the overly emotional (mainly women..sorry if that sounds sexist) at the top of his party. They seem to occupy the twittersphere with a lot of very drama queen, princess and teenage tantrum type behaviour. Will they warm to a "man" from the "professions" who seems very logical and a touch bland. Will this guy be able to satisfy their needs for that "range of emotions" and that "drama" which green voters seem almost addicted to? time will tell. he may well get rolled. that would be a mistake and show a lack of maturity from the green leadership team.

Calling women over-emotional is about as accurate as saying only women b**** about stuff!

You're a loser mate  ;)

aquascoot wrote on Oct 1^st, 2015 at 7:21am:

Whilst only offering an initial impression, i think he is quite "John Howard" like and the sort of understated politician who may do well. Politics, after all is about leadership and nowadays with the media grab, it is about appearing confident and emotionally controlled. Nothing "freaks out: those in the "herd" more then a leader who appears "overly emotional". SHY is probably the archtype of this sort of personality and the greens recieved good advice in not having her in a leadership role. Dr Nutella's problem may well be dealing with the overly emotional (mainly women..sorry if that sounds sexist) at the top of his party. They seem to occupy the twittersphere with a lot of very drama queen, princess and teenage tantrum type behaviour. Will they warm to a "man" from the "professions" who seems very logical and a touch bland. Will this guy be able to satisfy their needs for that "range of emotions" and that "drama" which green voters seem almost addicted to? time will tell. he may well get rolled. that would be a mistake and show a lack of maturity from the green leadership team.

* how many issues have you joined there  :o :o :o :o :o ?  ::) ??????????

cods wrote on Oct 1^st, 2015 at 8:51am:

Jovial Monk wrote on Sep 30th, 2015 at 10:48am: That would only apply if I was going to use coal in my cold smoker or pizza oven, cods. I have zero intention of doing that! whatever you use will make carbon...this is the problem and one the fanatics wont face...you cannot breath without creating adding causing....its the way we are the way we were made lets face it we wouldnt have had years of coal if we hadnt had years of  fire in the first place..[all bloody carbon making].its called evolution the earth the world it heals itself...its meant too. just like humans you graze a knee the body takes care of it..  we havent re grown a limb yet but I am sure its round the corner... we get masses of flooding this all cleans and heals the earth... its meant too.. do you honestly think fire floods and tempest were sent to destroy the planet???>..... no they were challenges we needed to find their uses ...and so far we are doing alright.....I love a pizza cooked in a wood burning oven... ;) ;).. but the fanatics have said thats wrong... :'( :'( they havent stopped forest fires though have they..or those bloody volcanoes....

....has cods ever heard of a concept called 'limits' ?

It was only invented before the industrial revolution  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D