Firstly, the Greens are split along state lines. The NSW Greens and the SA Greens get on like a house on fire. But the NSW Greens are not so chummy with the Tasmanians and for God’s sake, don’t mention the WA Greens when you’re within earshot of the NSW Greens. The streets could run red with Green blood.
But it gets worse. The Greens are further split along ideological lines. There are three main species of Greens. The best way to remember this is to follow the colour spectrum. There are green Greens, blue Greens and red Greens otherwise known as “watermelons” (green on the outside, pink on the inside).
Green Greens (evangelis environmentalis) are veterans of environmental battles from days of yore. They have spent their youths chained to trees and all own a collection of embarrassing photographs where they’re seen wearing chunky woollen jumpers and those silly beanies with ear flaps. They embody what many people think the Greens really should stand for but their numbers are dwindling and with the retirement of their eco-warrior, Bob Brown looming, their influence within the party will diminish.
Then there are the blue Greens (medicus soccermumus). The former MLA for Fremantle, Adele Carles - her of the ill-fated love affair with WA Treasurer Troy Buswell - is one such creature.
Blue Greens are those of a conservative political bent who have roused politically in something of a mid-life crisis. Known to have voted Liberal in the past, they now furrow their brows and fret over climate change, environmental destruction and what is to be done about the children.
Blue Greens are a relatively rare species and have little authority within the party.
Red Greens (rufus hammerandsicklus) are neither environmentalists nor SUV driving mothers of 3.4 children. They are political refugees from the far left. Not welcome in the Labor Party since the 1970s, these folk wandered the political wilderness until the Green movement appeared on the political stage and they found a home.
Ms Rhiannon is a walking exemplar of a red Green.
It would be hugely amusing, not to mention colourful to watch the vicious in-fighting proceed in Senator Brown’s wake but those of the watermelon hue, experienced as they are in the cut and thrust of trade union activism and having hijacked inner suburban community groups, are well versed in the politics of whatever it takes.
When Senator Brown does retire, the red Greens will have the green greenies and the soccer mums for breakfast.
The Greens are the beneficiaries of protest votes from those across the spectrum who feel disillusioned with mainstream politics. That’s fair enough in the context of the miserable set of choices available to voters from the major parties in the forthcoming election. The problem is you can’t be sure what a vote for the Greens will get you.
Ms Rhiannon’s snubbing of Senator Brown is a sign that Senator Brown is on the way out and does not command the authority within the party he once did. Once he’s gone, the party of environmental conscience will go with it.
In other words, if you thought the Greens couldn’t move any further to the left, you’re in for a shock.
