Greens hit out at ‘cruel’ coalition in State of the Planet speech
Sunday, 19 May 2024
The Green Party has re-grouped after a tough few months, with Chlöe Swarbrick delivering her first State of the Planet address.
In the speech, Swarbrick and Marama Davidson hit out what they labelled “divisive, stale, cruel and ineffective” Government policy.
Political leaders are currently touring the country, re-connecting with party faithful after last year’s election.
Green co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has used her first “State of the Planet” speech to accuse the coalition Government of privileging lobbyists and the wealthy, at the expense of workers’ health and the environment.
The party re-grouped on Sunday, for its annual “State of the Planet” speech. It followed a tough few months, starting with being ousted from Government in October, to a trio of MP scandals, and the death of Efeso Collins. It also marked Swarbrick’s first major speech to party faithful, since becoming co-leader alongside Marama Davidson.
These “State of the Planet” speeches have become a tradition for the Green Party, just like the National, ACT and Labour parties’ “state of the nation” speeches. They provide an opportunity for leaders to speak at length, setting out their core values and solutions to contemporary political challenges.
Davidson started the speech with a focus on the campaign donations received by the National, ACT and NZ First parties ahead of the election.
“$16 million, from property developers and business tycoons who have built their wealth by exploiting our natural environment,” said Davidson.
“$16 million dollars helped to put this government into power. And in a little less than two weeks, the coalition government will unveil its first budget.”
While it is true that parties on the political Right received larger donations, from wealthier people and businessmen - the Green Party did also have some well off backers. The Green Party raised $3.3m, with help from the likes of filmmaker James Cameron and fitness magnate Phillip Mills.
Swarbrick went on to list a series of policy decisions which she argued showed the coalition Government acting in the interests of elites rather than the country.
“Quietly, just before Christmas, along with cutting half price public transport, they axed IRD’s requirements to publicly report on the fairness of our tax system. They did this under Parliamentary urgency, cutting out your public participation,” Swarbrick said.
She continued to criticise the Government’s tax cuts for landlords, which was achieved by restoring interest deductibility. She said that would drive up the cost to buy a house, while using tax money that could otherwise fund social services.
Swarbrick continued: “They showed us their priorities by rolling back smoke-free protections, which no one campaigned on and no one but the tobacco lobby asked for.”
Swarbrick’s speech went on to call for radical change in politics, and even “a new economy”.
Throughout the speech, the co-leaders restated previous election commitments of free dental care, significant tax reform, and a guaranteed income.
They harshly criticised the coalition Government’s changes to welfare and crime policy, specifically around harsher custodial sentences for young offenders. Davidson said that, and increased obligations on jobseeker beneficiaries, was “cruel”.
“The Greens know that meeting trauma with punishment isn’t going to work. I want rangatahi to hear us loud and clear,” Davidson said.
She labelled the new Government’s policy programme “divisive, stale, cruel and ineffective.”
These speeches are predominately a chance for political parties to speak to their core supporters. As well as the Green Party “State of the Planet”, this weekend the Labour and National leaders have met party activists as part of regional conferences.