Martin Moore, as the greens candidate for Cook, is at the forefront of advocating for significant local actions to address the global Climate Emergency. His campaign is grounded in the "Think Global, Act Local" philosophy, aiming to reshape local perspectives on green policies and their relevance and support within the conservative electorate.
Situated between two National Parks, the Sutherland Shire holds a unique environmental and cultural position. Moore prioritizes sustainable development, affordable housing, and the preservation of the Shire's rich heritage, recognizing the area's historical and ecological importance.
Moore's candidacy is enriched by his extensive community involvement and academic achievements. Holding a Fine Arts Degree and a Masters in Social Ecology, and with experience as a Community Artist and Housing Advocate, he brings a diverse skill set to his political endeavors.
His activism is broad, covering peace, social justice, and environmental causes.
Advocating for a 'Local procurement policy', Moore aims to bolster the local economy by supporting Shire businesses, drawing from his experiences as a Sole Trader. His campaign also highlights the Greens' dedication to anti-corruption, emphasizing their independence from the fossil fuel industry and developer funding, underscoring a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and the community's well-being in the Sutherland Shire.
The Australian Greens, identifying as a social democratic party under the leadership of Adam Bandt, adhere to four main pillars. Social justice, sustainability, grassroots democracy, and peace and non-violence, reflecting their alignment with global green politics.
They champion environmentalism through initiatives like recycling expansion, conservation, and a transition to 100% renewable energy by 2030 via a Green New Deal, which includes investment in renewable technology and Australian manufacturing for green energy solutions. Financially, they advocate for equitable taxation, opposing tax cuts favoring high income earners, promoting a wealth tax on billionaires, and supporting the creation of a publicly owned bank.
The Greens call for enhanced welfare policies, affordable housing, rent caps, increased income support, free public transport and childcare, and debt forgiveness for students. They support universal healthcare expansion, including dental and mental health, reproductive rights, drug law reform, and legal cannabis.
Socially, they push for marriage equality, asylum rights, and gender equality, alongside political reforms like donation caps and an anti-corruption watchdog. In agriculture, they emphasize animal welfare and climate resilience, opposing live exports in favor of ethical practices.
Their foreign policy advocates for independent and transparent international relations, and they support electoral reforms towards proportional representation.