2025-11-27
national conference goes to the top end!
By Your Greens Team
It was so great to take our annual in-person Greens National Conference up to Gulmerrogin / Darwin in the NT for the first time ever. It was an incredible and energising few days in the Top End, connecting with one another and reflecting on the successes and challenges we faced this year. We want to adapt, learn and grow stronger for what’s ahead. We were so grateful to be hosted by the NT Greens, who just made history by electing the first-ever Green mayor of Mparntwe / Alice Springs, on the back of another groundbreaking feat winning their first seat in the NT Legislative Assembly last year. In case you missed it, here is a recap of some of the panel and workshop highlights from the National Conference weekend.
WHAT’S GIVING US HOPE
Presenters: Ellen Sandell, Asta Hill, Eva-Victoria Bates
In a session called What’s Giving Us Hope, we reflected on recent local wins and powerful international examples. Ellen Sandell, leader of the Victorian Greens, highlighted what they've achieved in the balance of power. Most notably, the passing of the Treaty Bill in October, which establishes the framework for a historic treaty with First Peoples.
We also heard from Asta Hill, the newly elected Mayor of Mparntwe / Alice Springs, who campaigned on transforming the story of her hometown from one marked by fear, racism and exclusion to one grounded in hope, connection and pride.
We then looked to the global stage, where similar themes are shaping progressive victories. Colombia’s Gustavo Petro shows the impact of decades-long coalition building, while Zack Polanski’s rise to leader of the UK Green Party demonstrates how the right political moment can generate huge momentum and rapid membership growth. We closed with Zohran Mamdani’s hopeful, grassroots-focused New York mayoral campaign, rooted in community, authenticity and long-term organising.
The lesson is clear: start early, stay disciplined, meet people where they are, and ground politics in joy, optimism and a vision people genuinely want to join.
HOW CAN WE LEAD ON WORKERS’ RIGHTS?
Presenters: Senator Barbara Pocock, Lovisa Muyderman
Senator Barbara Pocock shared valuable insight into both the Greens’ and the Government’s agenda in the new term of parliament on workers’ rights – and updated attendees on the work her team has been doing on expanding the right to work from home and ensuring all workers under 18 are paid superannuation.
This workshop was also a chance to engage in a robust discussion about emerging issues in this space and how the Greens can pursue policies that make a difference to workers’ lives.
It was great to hear from members from a range of backgrounds, and we discussed important issues including the use of AI in the workplace, support for workers with disabilities, and how we can organise within our communities to further workers’ rights.
WHO ARE THE GREENS? A CONVERSATION ON DIVERSITY
Presenter: Lawrence De Pellegrin
Panellists: Jordon Steele-John, Jenny Leong, Dominic Wy Kanak, Remah Naji
Our Who Are the Greens? session was a fantastic opportunity to delve into where the Greens are currently at with diverse representation, how we can attract more diverse members of the community to the party, and the steps ahead for building pathways for meaningful representation and leadership.
Lawrence from the Australian Greens Engagement Team opened the workshop with a presentation on the work that the National Office has done to build an improved dataset on diversity in 2025, to set benchmarks for community engagement and outreach into the future.
Then the panel featuring representatives and candidates from national, state and local levels delved into their experiences of diversity in the party, how we ensure diverse voices have a real and influential seat at the table, and what members and supporters can do at a local level to create safe and inclusive spaces for diverse people wanting to get involved in our movement.
Some moments from the panel included Remah Naji sharing her story of joining the party as a Palestinian-Australian woman and becoming the federal candidate for Moreton at the May election, and Jordon Steele-John giving insight into the challenges he faces when attending in-person events both as a wheelchair user and as a neurodivergent person.
One of the most important and interesting topics of conversations related to how many marginalised communities are deeply engaged in Australian politics in a variety of ways. It is critical for us as a movement to hold ourselves to a high standard for meaningful collaboration, engagement and connection with these communities. Our party is at its best when it is one that truly reflects the diversity of this country.