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This election will be important not only for deciding the next Prime
Minister, but also for deciding how accountable they are to the Senate.
And that has major implications for the environment.
The Senate (or Upper House) is the “house of review” in Parliament, where proposed new laws can face serious questioning, be changed and even stopped.
For the past few decades the Government of the day has not controlled the Senate. Instead, Governments have had to negotiate and justify their proposals with Opposition and minor parties. This is an important part of the ‘checks and balances’ in our system and has resulted in many environmental improvements to laws.
For the first time in many years there is a serious chance that one of the major parties – the Coalition - will control the Senate. Control of the Senate by any one party would be a major blow to the accountability and flexibility of our system. The ability of the Opposition and minor parties to improve environmental laws will be very limited and it could even mean that they are watered down or blocked.
Climate change is one area where this could have a direct effect. For example, the Coalition refuses to increase our clean renewable energy target or to take other vital steps to protect Australia from climate change. Coalition control of the Senate makes these policies more likely to continue regardless of who is Prime Minister.
Greenpeace does not endorse any political party or candidate and is independent of all political parties.
The Senate (or Upper House) is the “house of review” in Parliament, where proposed new laws can face serious questioning, be changed and even stopped.
For the past few decades the Government of the day has not controlled the Senate. Instead, Governments have had to negotiate and justify their proposals with Opposition and minor parties. This is an important part of the ‘checks and balances’ in our system and has resulted in many environmental improvements to laws.
For the first time in many years there is a serious chance that one of the major parties – the Coalition - will control the Senate. Control of the Senate by any one party would be a major blow to the accountability and flexibility of our system. The ability of the Opposition and minor parties to improve environmental laws will be very limited and it could even mean that they are watered down or blocked.
Climate change is one area where this could have a direct effect. For example, the Coalition refuses to increase our clean renewable energy target or to take other vital steps to protect Australia from climate change. Coalition control of the Senate makes these policies more likely to continue regardless of who is Prime Minister.
Greenpeace does not endorse any political party or candidate and is independent of all political parties.
