Lee's blogs
Lee Rhiannon writes regular blogs and opinion pieces on a diverse range of issues she comes across during visits in NSW campaigning for the Greens.
Media missing on protest shutdown of world's biggest coal port
When all three coal terminals in the Port of Newcastle, the world's largest exporter of coal, were shut down on Sunday by protesters and 41 people arrested you would think it would be a hot news item.
Tense Days at Villawood
After a few worrying days in and around Villawood detention centre it was a relief to watch at about 7.10 pm last night the Tamil detainees wind up their roof top protest and come down. Many of these young men I have met on visits to Villawood. The most recent was on Sunday when I joined a delegation of union officials and Greens members. We spent a couple of hours talking with asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Iraq and Sri Lanka.
Government shake up should extend to overseas aid delivery
As the dust settles on a revamped federal government thanks to the courageous crossbenchers, an obvious question is will Prime Minister Julia Gillard pick up on this new way of governing and extend the shake up to some of her ministries.
Independents rise - Nationals bush whacked
One of the spin-offs of the rise of the independents over the past ten days has been the Nationals’ attention seeking behaviour to demonstrate that they are the true bush MPs who are working hard for regional Australia.
Responding To Attacks On My Family And Political Background
As support for the Greens increases, inevitably so do the attacks on the Greens and on individuals within the party. As one of the public faces of the Greens, I have been in the firing line.
Notes For Speech At AGQUIP Debate With Fiona Nash
Thanks to Ag Quip for hosting this debate. We appreciate opportunity to put on the record Greens policies and campaigns that have advanced the interests of regional NSW, and the protection of farming land and associated water resources.
Abbot Behind The Sheds Dragging On A $5 Million Cigarette
After helping out the mining industry it looks like opposition leader Tony Abbott is ready to deliver for another backer of the Coalition, the tobacco industry. Today’s Daily Telegraph reports that Liberal Party strategists are gearing up for a $5 million attack on the plan for plain cigarette packaging. The Greens and Labor support this plan.
The Greens: Watermelons, Avocados... Apples?
Last week the Sydney Morning Herald and the Australian wrote some not so positive pieces on the Greens, which included inaccuracies about the party and my personal and political history. It was great to receive some positive letters from individuals and community groups I have worked with over the last couple of decades, that were sent to daily newspapers (and many published) as a result.
Remembering Black July
Through my work with the Tamil community over recent months I am learning of the injustice and brutality they have been subjected to over the past century. These events are a scar on all humanity and it is disturbing how few people in Australia know of these events.
