We know the world can be a fairer and better place.
Fairer for humanity. Fairer for the environment. Fairer for all the species on Earth.
I understand that not everyone wants to read. If you want to hear me, stop reading right now and go to www.davidrisstrom.org
Most of you will know me. A member since 1993, I was Victoria’s first elected Green. Being a Green is a way of life for me.
I hope I can secure your vote to put this lifelong passion into further action as your Senate candidate for the Greens.
Why Now?
Urgent and unfinished business remains. The environment can’t wait any longer. Promises aren’t enough. We need people elected with a track record of doing things. People with proven ability. To give the planet and humanity a chance in the face of climate change and a myriad of environmental and social challenges.
As we know, Australia is becoming less fair. As Greens, we can build and strengthen a decent society.
My Vision
I would introduce legislation requiring the economic, social and environmental implications of proposed laws to be identified and genuine progress indicators to be published.
I would seek to extend warranties, fostering a move back to quality manufacturing to stem the growing import of junk.
As the son of a WWII refugee, our treatment of refugees appalls me. I support ending mandatory detention.
We need fair wages for fair work as a right. On the docks the night the Docks dispute started and the morning police confronted workers, I support unions fighting for fair work.
Internet freedom must be protected.
Better built affordable houses are urgently needed.
Free public education and health care are essential.
Animal rights and environment protection needed stronger support.
Why Me?
My commitment to the environment, social justice and ethics is longstanding. I have been an activist and volunteer for decades.
In 1999 I was the first elected Green to Melbourne City Council. While elected, my Greens vote more than doubled, by putting Green policy into action, by helping people and the environment. I was also elected Vice President of the International Council for Local Environment Initiatives, gaining local and international experience as an elected Green, chairperson, director and activist. During my 5 years at the Melbourne City Council I worked with councillors of disparate political and social backgrounds, gaining support to implement over 130 initiatives.
In 2004, as Lead Senate candidate we achieved a 30% increase in our Senate primary vote. We did that by hard work. I committed myself 100% and received the highest personal vote of any Victorian Senate candidate. Liberal, Labor or Green.
Having completed a first class Science honours degree in climate change, first class Arts degree in politics and social theory and a law degree focussing on environmental law, has allowed me to work confidently as a Green and support my personal charter to work for disadvantaged people. As a barrister I have provided extensive free legal services to the Environment Defenders Office, Casey, Eastern Suburbs and Fitzroy Legal Services and Springvale Domestic Violence Service.
I am respected within the environment movement, twice elected as ACF Councillor.viagra I am a long-standing member of over twenty environment and community groups and am currently President of Friends of the ABC (Vic).
Over my 18 years as a Green, I co-ordinated the Victorian Greens 2004 and 2005 Local Government Campaigns. I am currently on the Australian Greens Constitution Committee, having served on Greens Executive and Council, in various local government capacities, in local, state and federal policy development and as Future Environment Leaders Program mentor.
I know the Parliament, through work in the Senate as Senior Researcher on Superannuation for Women and Same Sex Couples, developing changes that recently became law. I was an Electoral Educator in Canberra and Environmental Consultant to the Commonwealth EPA. I am a Legal Member of the Mental Health Review Board and a Vincent Fairfax Ethics Fellow, completing an 18-month ethics and leadership fellowship promoting ethics in Australia.
I maintain an ~300 page website promoting the Greens, receiving approximately 2 million hits and 1 million visits. The website at www.davidrisstrom.org hosts news, commentary, 200 Green policies and 860 progressive internet links.
I ask you to consider not what I promise to do, but that I have proven as Victoria’s first elected Green, with your support, I can and will do as your next Green Senator.
Political Achievements
In 1989, I successfully campaigned in Parliament to create the Victorian Alpine National Park and to recognise wilderness.
As Melbourne City Greens Councillor, we achieved:
- Australia’s most ambitious reductions targets for water (40%) and greenhouse gas (30%), both of which were achieved!
- A 2020 Zero Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Strategy, now widely implemented, personally gaining endorsement from APEC to provide to Asia Pacific cities (comprising half the world’s population).
- A $5M Sustainable Melbourne Fund.
- Introducing Triple Bottom Line governance, factoring environmental, social and economics into government decisions.
- Melbourne’s ‘Growing Green’ 50 year green space program.
- Establishing the $1M Inner City Social Housing Trust and chairing the Melbourne Affordable Housing.
- An Australia wide government green purchasing program.
- Overseeing the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit Local Government Conference.
- Successfully negotiating the City of Melbourne to enter a treaty with its indigenous people and indigenous land use agreement.
Other offices served as an elected Green include:
MCC Environment, Community and Cultural Development Committee Chairperson.
Metropolitan Transport Forum Chairperson.
Metropolitan Environment Forum Convener.
MCC Aboriginal Consultative Committee Chairperson.
ICLEI International Executive and Management Committee Member.
Director: Yarra-Melbourne Library Board, MAPS Ltd. and Western Regional Waste Management Group.
As Councillor, Senate candidate and activist, I established a regional and metropolitan profile, gaining recognition and support across our organisation and the Victorian community.
My Request
Our party’s ability to deliver real things to our community is crucial. Our planet and its inhabitants need urgent action. We need Greens with the skills and experience in public office to deliver what the planet desperately needs. With your support, we can do this together.
