Tasmanians committed to a sustainable future for our state and Australia rallied to appeal to the PM and other members of COAG to ensure the nation has a sustainable “Green Collar” future.

Inspirational and informative presentations were provided by leading Tasmanian advocates on Sustainable Development including Peter Boyer, Margaret Steadman, Corey Peterson, Phil Pullinger and Vica Bailey. This enabled all present, including members of Tasmania police and the Prime Minister’s staff within earshot, an insight into the real potential for Tasmania to lead the world in Sustainable Development.

After the presentations, supporters departed and members of the Deputation engaged with the PM’s staff. A brief discussion centred on the importance of meeting with the PM to outline the views presented at the event and hand over the locally donated gift hamper. The hamper had contributions from Tasmanian businesses and individuals who hold a strong concern for the future of our island state, nation and planet.

Deputation meets PM’s advisors regarding Sustainable “Green Collar” Future – Tasmanian Action at COAG Hobart 30th April 2009

TASMANIANS committed to a sustainable future for our state and Australia rallied to appeal to the PM and other members of COAG to ensure the nation has a sustainable “Green Collar” future.

Inspirational and informative presentations were provided by leading Tasmanian advocates on Sustainable Development including Peter Boyer, Margaret Steadman, Corey Peterson, Phil Pullinger and Vica Bailey. This enabled all present, including members of Tasmania police and the Prime Minister’s staff within earshot, an insight into the real potential for Tasmania to lead the world in Sustainable Development.

After the presentations, supporters departed and members of the Deputation engaged with the PM’s staff. A brief discussion centred on the importance of meeting with the PM to outline the views presented at the event and hand over the locally donated gift hamper. The hamper had contributions from Tasmanian businesses and individuals who hold a strong concern for the future of our island state, nation and planet.

Due to the late announcement of COAG being held in Hobart, there had been limited time to coordinate the meeting within the PM’s restricted schedule. Members of the deputation determined that they would seek an invitation from the PM’s office at the time of his next visit to Hobart.

The Prime Minister’s advisor assured the members of the deputation that he would present the following gifts, selected from the hamper, to the PM:

• “Transition Handbook” by Rob Hopkins (Transition Towns Initiative –strategies for creating a sustainable future)
• Huon Pine salt and pepper grinders made by local craftsman and ex forestry worker, Peter Bennett
• Brut Rose from Tamar Valley winery
• Selection of Fair-trade, Australian-made organic, Loving Earth chocolates

Following this, an extensive discussion occurred with an environmental advisor from the PM’s staff. A number of Sustainable Development strategies and concepts were outlined including:

• Economic models encompassing Ecological Economics, Growth vs. Energy paradigms
• The Natural Step – the international organisation assisting big business like mining giant Rio Tinto to assist with their assimilation of new practices, thereby enabling a smooth efficient transition into a sustainable future
• Transition Towns Initiative – strategies for moving communities to a sustainable future
• Responsible animal husbandry vs. intensive animal farming
• Definition of green collar jobs – those jobs facilitating sustainable development
• The effect of climate change on marine life and oceans
• Adopting philosophical inquiry in education at all levels

Anticipated follow-up

• Contact PM’s Environmental Advisor and request review/feedback regarding “Transition Handbook”
• Contact PM’s advisor and request invitation for deputation to meet with PM during his next visit to Hobart
• Contact media to request suggestions for improvement in presentation and method of communications to ensure coverage of event

Outcomes

• Networking of like-minded people
• Engagement and information sharing with public regarding these issues
• Footage of event posted on YouTube : Green Collar Jobs
• No coverage from the main stream media

Representatives of the Tasmanian media reviewed the alert and release. It is to be regretted that the well attended event which focused on “Green Collar” jobs and Sustainable Development, pertinent topics for our times, was not reported for the public’s benefit. “Green Collar” jobs is the internationally recognised term for jobs contributing to a sustainable future. It is possible that the “Green Collar” tag was the reason for the lack of reporting of this event. If this is the case there are ongoing serious questions that should be answered regarding the impartiality of our media. For the welfare of all Tasmanians, media representatives should be encouraged to report without bias on all issues.

As the media chose not to present this rally to the public, you are encouraged to continue communicating information on the whys and hows of Sustainable Development. Suggested ways of being involved in the transition include:

• Writing letters to the media regarding the event and Sustainable Development
• Commenting on blogs and other internet sites such as Tasmania Times
• Participating in Sustainable Development activities
• Forming and participating in discussion/action groups
• Engaging with government and media personally
• Developing strategies for back-yard sustainability
• Encourage and engage in healthy democratic processes

Background and outline of event

18/03/09
• Premier Bartlett announced that COAG would be held in Hobart at Wrest Point Casino 30th April without approval from PM’s office
• Members of the public encouraged coordinators to use this national coverage opportunity to reveal concerns about the issues facing the state of Tasmania
20/03/09
• Contact made between interested parties
22-24/04/09
• Ideas for rally developed
27/04/09
• Meeting held, consensus reached regarding focus to be a rally high-lighting Economy, “Green Collar” Jobs, raising public awareness, invite PM to meet advocates of Sustainable Development (SD) and a “Green Collar” future, presentation of gift hamper made up of locally and/or ethically produced goods
28/04/09
• Advocates of SD contacted and invited to be members of deputation to PM
• Potential contributors invited to donate gifts
• Wrest Point Casino contacted, venue for COAG confirmed
• Event/Rally Alert distributed through networks
• Preparation of collars
• Filming organised
29/04/09
• PM’s office notified via phone and fax of Green Collar Action, invitation to meet deputation to discuss “Green Collar” future and Sustainable Development and to receive Gift Hamper
• After-dinner tip-off that COAG had moved from Wrest Point Casino to the Mercure, confirmed through network
• Circulated News Flash Alert through network
• Notified key individuals
30/04/09
• 7.30am Media Alert with notification of 1.20pm photo shoot and 1.45pm Press Conference sent to national and local media
• 8.30am phone call to local media outlets confirming that they would be covering the events at COAG
• 1.00pm Rally participants gathered at front of Mercure
• Spokesperson liaised with police regarding logistics of event and presented them with communications to the PM’s office to pass onto PM’s staff
• Briefed participants regarding peaceful and positive nature of rally, logistics etc
• Set up hamper at front of Mercure
• Mercury photographer and Win camera man commenced coverage of rally as planned at 1.20pm
• Sudden rush of media representation into the Mercure suggested late notification of COAG press conference at 1.20pm
• Deputation presented Sustainability Concepts to participants of rally
• Members of deputation engaged with PM staff regarding meeting with PM and presentation of gifts
• Gifts selected and handed to PM advisor
• Members of deputation engaged with an environmental advisor from the PM’s staff

Questions for consideration

1. Why was COAG moved at last minute to the Mercure?
2. What cost did this change of venue incur to the tax payer?
3. Why was there seemingly late notification of the time for the COAG media briefing and Press Conference, clashing with the scheduled coverage of the rally? (see below for details)
4. Why was the well attended event on the internationally topical subject of a Sustainable “Green Collar” Future not reported in the mainstream media? Was it because it was a positive message which promotes cooperation and unification of communities when our government appears to be more focused on using divisive and destructive strategies for maintaining “business as usual”?
5. Do Federal, State and Territory leaders appreciate the urgency and importance of a Sustainable “Green Collar” Future for Australia? Are they sincerely committed to ensuring the most sustainable, healthy future for Australia?

Thank you to those individuals who attended and/or contributed to the Green Collar Rally and Gift Hamper Presentation at COAG 30th April 2009.

Acknowledgements to organisers and main network coordinators. This was a rally organised by a collaboration of advocates for a Sustainable “Green Collar” Future.

Special thanks to the Tasmania Police who supervised the event. The Tasmanian police demonstrated flexibility and consideration when dealing with requests made by the organisers.

Apologies to any people who went to the Wrest Point Casino for the Rally. The move to a new venue was beyond our control and unexpected. This gave us insufficient time to ensure notification of all supporters. Our understanding was that there would be a representative redirecting interested participants to the Mercure.

Comments on any of the above are welcome.

Contact:
Jo McRae [email protected]
Marion Nicklason [email protected]

Members of deputation to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, at COAG 2009

Mr Peter Boyer
Mr Corey Peterson
Mrs Marion Nicklason
Mrs Margaret Steadman
Dr Phil Pullinger
Mr Vica Bayley

Brief Biographies regarding the members:

Mr Peter Boyer
Historian and former journalist Peter Boyer, an Australian Antarctic Division manager for 15 years to 2002, has written extensively about the climate science of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. In 2006 he was selected in the first intake of volunteer presenters for the Climate Project, for which he was trained by Al Gore to speak to Australians about the dangers and challenges of climate change. He has spoken to over 160 Tasmanian audiences involving about 6500 people. Since mid-2007 he has written a weekly climate column for the Hobart Mercury, in which he promotes issues about climate change and what Tasmanians can do about it.
Climate Tasmania: Ph 03 6239 1181 Mobile 0439 391181

Mr Corey Peterson
Masters degrees in Environmental Science and Public Administration. Corey Peterson has worked in all sectors from local government, to national and international consultancies and over 16 years working in and around Antarctica as a scientist and support technician with three winters in a row spent on the continent managing the science laboratories. Since immigrating to Tasmania (and hence Australia) in 1998 and becoming a citizen in 2001, he has been active in the educational sector as an IT Network Manager and as the sustainability promoter at MacKillop College, which is now recognised as a beacon school in Tasmania for our sustainability efforts among other things.
McKillop College: Ph 03 6245 0099

Mrs Marion Nicklason
Practising health professional and convenor of Tasmanians for a Healthy Democracy. Marion Nicklason has completed the course-work component of a Masters in Environmental Management at University of Cape Town in South Africa and has a strong interest in Ethical Governance, Ecological Economics, Democratic Processes, and the transition of businesses and communities to a sustainable future.
Tasmanians for a Healthy Democracy: Mobile 0439 349 317

Margaret Steadman
Executive Officer of Sustainable Living Tasmania, a community organisation that works to support householders, community and business in the transition to a sustainable future.
Sustainable Living Tasmania: Ph 03 62345566

Dr Phil Pullinger
Medical Doctor, Director, Environment Tasmania. Environment Tasmania is Tasmania’s conservation council, an umbrella body representing 26 Tasmanian Environment & conservation NGOs with collective representation of over 6000 Tasmanians.
Environment Tasmania: Mobile 0428 554 934

Mr Vica Bayley
Vica Bayley is a 5th generation Tasmanian and father of 2 with a passion for Tasmania’s future. He is currently Tasmanian Campaign Director for The Wilderness Society, working to create a Tasmania which leads by example, showing that natural ecosystems and processes can be protected, providing a safe climate and healthy environment for nature and future generations.
The Wilderness Society: Mobile 0400 644 939