Economy

Australia is a rich country that is growing richer each year. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is now more than $1 trillion per annum.

The Greens believe that the role of government is to ensure economic activity is sustainable. For example, much is made of the importance of the coal mining industry to Australia's economy, but it contributes less than 1% of GDP.

Fast growing sectors such as the IT industry hardly existed in Australia a decade ago, yet employment in IT already dwarfs the 22,000 people employed in mining coal.

The Greens will:

• Ensure the benefits of economic growth are directed towards achieving the goals of equity and sustainability
• Reform the Australian taxation system to eliminate perverse tax breaks and subsidies to polluting industries
• Support the development of the renewable energy industry as a way to simultaneously create new high skill jobs in the manufacturing industry while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.