Greens' growth fuels progressive hopes, brings challenges

This small gain was not just achieved through Greens negotiations, but also a strong grassroots campaign spearheaded by groups such as Beyond Zero Emissions, which has developed a detailed plan to shift Australia to 100% renewable energy in 10 years.

Greens policies often enjoy wide public support, but powerful corporate interests have opposed them hysterically.

The corporate sector has made no secret of its hostility to the Greens. The Rupert Murdoch media empire is running a sustained campaign against them. The Australian even declared its desire, in an editorial, to see the Greens destroyed.

The power of this sector can be seen in the dumping of Kevin Rudd as Labor leader, amid a strong campaign by mining corporations against a very mild tax on the sector.

The problem for the Greens is that if they limit their vision and struggles to the parliamentary arena, they will find it increasingly difficult. They run the risk of being led into greater compromises that block their ability to win progressive change.

In "the game" of parliamentary politics, corporate interests have an inherent advantage. Corporate interests have the mainstream media onside and great economic and lobbying power.

Labor's unwillingness to challenge these interests is the key cause of its rightward shift. To advance its progressive agenda, the Greens cannot avoid clashing with these powerful interests.

Such interests cannot be countered purely in senate committees or on the floor of the house. It requires extra-parliamentary movements of ordinary people fighting for their rights.

The Greens are disadvantaged by the fact that there is an absence of strong social movements in Australia. The trade union movement has been badly weakened after decades of union leaders tying the movement to Labor's fortunes.

However, the Greens are also in a position to use their political weight to try and change this situation. They can be a voice in parliament for the demands of social movements and use their resources, authority and voice to strengthen extra-parliamentary struggles.

The equal marriage campaign, for instance, is on the brink of victory because there is a strong movement in the community, as well as Greens pushing the issue inside parliament.

Having political power means more than seats in parliament or ministerial positions. It means the capacity to actually carry out the policies you stand for.