Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why did you change your name from Climate Change Coalition to 4Change?

4Change used to be known as the Climate Change Coalition, which was founded by Patrice Newell and John Harvey in 2006.

With the passage of time it became clear to members that sustainability issues, including climate change, were not being adequately addressed primarily because the community’s views were being subordinated to those of powerful lobby groups.

This is better reflected in our new name.

2. Why does 4Change exist?

The majority of the community wants action on climate change along with reassurance that their jobs and their families will remain protected. Both major parties have not acted with the community’s best interests in mind.

To improve long term outcomes for the community the party decided changes had to be made to the way politics gets done in Australia.

4Change was born out of a deep awareness of the need to create a new political process that includes true consultation with the community; ongoing communication between Members of Parliament and their electorate; a conscience vote for MPs on all issues; and a deep respect for the knowledge and expertise that exists within the community, which must be used more effectively in decision making.

3. Why did 4Change enter the Bradfield by-election?

The party has previously contested the 2007 NSW and Federal Elections under Climate Change Coalition. The timing of the Bradfield by-election coincides with our name change to 4Change and provides the perfect opportunity to let the community know what we are about.

4. Why should Bradfield vote 4Change?

The challenges facing Bradfield and the wider community deserve better than the traditional Labor / Liberal approach which only delivers win / loose outcomes. Current political parties fail to recognise the need to shift to a new way of doing politics where communities get a greater say in what decisions are made and how they are made.

A vote 4Change means you want to see a new way of politics getting done in Australia.

5. What are you longer term objectives?

4Change will be contesting lower and upper house seats in all states in the next Federal Election and the March 2011 NSW election, with the view to being seen as a credible alternate party to Labor and Liberal.

6. Why are the Climate Skeptics wrong?

In addition to overwhelming mainstream climate science, the same actions that are necessary to address climate change are equally relevant and necessary to address sustainability for our economy and communities. Even the climate change skeptics must agree that jobs growth in renewable energy and innovative technologies are a good thing.

7. Aren’t you the same as the Greens?

4Change has similar views on a variety of policies to those of other political parties. This means at any time 4Change Members of Parliament may agree with the Greens, or Labor, or Liberal parties on a particular issue and vote accordingly. However, what makes us different is that our Members of Parliament will be able to engage with their electorate and vote on each issue according to the needs of the community.

8. What makes 4Change different?

4Change has a very different vision for the way politics can, and should be done. A 4Change Member of Parliament will always have a conscience vote. All issues that arise will be consulted and debated with the full electorate, not just those that voted for our member.

Vested interests and powerful lobby groups will be curtailed under 4Change in favour of true community engagement through limiting the number of terms Members of Parliament can serve and restricting political donations.

9. How will 4Change consult?

Today’s large and complex organisations are using new technologies and face to face processes to conduct meetings, to consult diverse groups in different locations, and to solve problems together. These tools and processes need to be adapted to the political realm and used as well. They include things such as deep democracy techniques, future search and web based meetings.

Residents of Bradfield will have the opportunity of engaging constructively on issue formulation, option generation and solutions for their community.