GREEN BOMB

Well; I didn’t see that coming.

Bob Brown resigning from politics at what I would have considered the height of his power?

One must wonder why?  What’s the real reason for him leaving now?

Do The Greens actually listen to the feedback from the public, and are making moves to save themselves before the next election?  Federally, The Greens are a little on the nose, particularly after the debacle that’s become their ‘alliance’ with the ALP.

A lot of people are blaming The Greens for the excessive taxes we do not need, poor economic stimulation because of it, and all the other tree hugging bullshit that’s seen the ALP do more back flips than an acrobat.

They have been slammed in the New South Wales and Victorian elections, losing what seats they did have, and it’s predicted that the same thing will happen when the federal election rolls around next year.

One wonders now if they will go the way of The Democrats; who were simply there to ‘keep the bastards honest’.

The one thing I will admire about The Greens, is the way they have conducted themselves.  There was no indication of political instability within the party, no suggestion publicly the Brown was ready to go.  They kept it all private and ‘in house’, as it should be.  The ALP and Liberals could take a leaf or two out of The Greens book on this one…

At 67, maybe he’s ready to go?  Maybe Brown feels that he’s done enough? Maybe he’s built the party up to a point where he can step back now?

Maybe he’s dodging a bullet?  If they get massacred at the next election, as it’s predicted, at least he won’t be around to cop the fallout for it.  Christine Milne will.  Mmm… clever.

Brown will be remembered as the great man that built the party and lead it through the greatest period in its short history.  Brilliant.  Nothing like a martyr, is there?

Or maybe it’s simply become too ‘political’ for him.  Maybe it’s all heading in a direction that even he doesn’t want it to go, because the game has suddenly become way too serious.

So, where did it all start?

Well, throughout the 1970’s, the good Doctor was exactly that: a doctor.  He graduated from medical school in the late 1960’s, and for the next decade, practiced his craft. 

In the late ‘70’s, he became the director of the Tasmanian Wilderness Society, which would see him involved in a myriad of protests and actions in the defence of our magnificent wilderness.

In 1983, he was arrested during a protest blockading works for the proposed Franklin Dam, and spent nineteen days in prison.  On the day of his release, he was elected into the Tasmanian Parliament.  That year, he because our ‘Australian of the Year’.

In 1990, he established the Bush Heritage, which funds and purchases environmentally significant land.  Apparently, the Bush Heritage’s first purchase was a block earmarked for logging.

1992, Brown helped form the Australian Greens as a national political party, which before then, consisted of loosely aligned local activists.

1996 sees him become the first Australian Greens Senator (and first openly gay member of parliament), and over the following years, he would be a strong opponent to the Howard Government, and a loud voice for environmental and social issues alike.

In 2003, Brown was famously ejected from federal parliament during a speech by then visiting president, George W Bush.  He was very vocal in his opposition to the Iraq war, and certainly let Bush know it during his visit here.

So, after many years as the ‘public face’ of The Greens, after many years working tirelessly for environmental and social issues throughout Australia, Bob Brown has called it a day.

In June 2012, he will retire gracefully from public office, but I’ve no doubt that’s the last we’ll hear of him.

Love him or hate him, you can’t argue that Brown is not dedicated in his mission.  It’s rare to see someone stand so convinced of his beliefs, where those around him were being bought for the best price.

Is he leaving on a high?  Yes; I think so.

Was he pushed? I don’t know. 

What will it mean for Australian politics?  Hard to say.  I think The Greens will disappear somewhat after the next election, as the public are sick and tired of them and what they see is happening to this country through their alliances.

Many have wondered who is actually running this country.  We’ve elected the ALP into power, yet it would appear that a man with only 14% of the vote is the one running it.  The majority did not vote for this, and the majority will certainly make sure it doesn’t happen again.

However, stepping aside now gives The Greens a chance to re-build and work a new strategy in time for the next election; in time for them to save themselves at the sacrifice of the ALP.

Personally, I’ve never been a fan of the man.  I don’t agree with his policies, and I don’t agree with the way The Greens are wielding their power at the expense of our nation. 

When he steps aside in June, he won’t be in the limelight to see the legacy of the carbon tax and how it impacts upon this nation.  If the face of the carbon tax is running for the hills before it comes to fruition, what does that say about our future?

However, I do respect the man’s resolve.  He had a vision, and I have no doubt that he will leave a lasting imprint on our political nation.

Peace out.

NOTE: all historical information about Bob Brown was obtained from the Herald Sun website :D