Yesterday, former Greens leader Christine Milne delivered her final speech in parliament.
In her speech,
Senator Milne said that although she will no longer be a member of parliament, she vows to remain a Greens activist and will be ‘more dangerous than ever’.
This final statement by Senator Milne leaves us with some unanswered questions.
Is this violent language acceptable for our political leaders to use, particularly given the issues of domestic violence which the Greens’ purport to be fighting against?
Furthermore, it begs the examination of the use of language by politicians, particularly those on the left. Should we take Senator Milne’s vow on face value of should it be taken as hyperbole or as something else entirely?
In order to explore this further, we must be aware that the political left has a history of ‘word play’, and the manipulation of language, and we see this played out on a daily basis in politics.
While the Greens continue to call for an open door to Australia for asylum seekers, there is an intrenched belief in the party that Australia’s population, indeed the world’s is beyond its ecological ‘carrying capacity’. Therefore, can we take them at their word? Do the Greens sincerely wish to provide a safe haven for refugees when their belief is that Australia’s population is already considerably more than it should be?
It is quite clear that given the gross inconsistencies in Greens policy, we cannot take them at their word when it comes to position statements. Nor can they credibly claim to hold the moral high ground with their glaring inconsistencies.
But this final statement by Senator Milne, to be ‘more dangerous than ever,’ perhaps can be taken as it is stated. And furthermore, unveils more truly the mission and intent of the party.
Photo by Jeremy Buckingham MLC 
