We are pleased to announce former Greens senator and longtime anti-nuclear activist, Scott Ludlam, has joined Guardian Australia as a columnist.

Scott will be writing fortnightly columns on politics, the environment, civil liberties and technology. His column published today is about his time on the Peace Boat.

Scott Ludlam said: “I’m delighted to be joining the team and looking forward to share a few thoughts and ideas from the road.”

Gabrielle Jackson, opinion editor, Guardian Australia, said: “We’re so excited to sign up Scott to the Guardian and to have him following the stories that are so integral to the health of our democracy.”

For any media enquiries please contact:



Guardian Australia press office: margy.vary@theguardian.com

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Notes to the editor



About Scott Ludlam



Scott Ludlam joined the anti-nuclear movement in 1998, inspired by the powerful leadership of Mirrarr traditional owners in their opposition to the Jabiluka uranium mine. In 2007, after four years in state politics and three years working for Western Australian senator Rachel Siewart, Scott became the fifth Greens senator to represent Western Australia. His first act in parliament was to re-introduce a bill requiring parliamentary approval for sending Australian troops to war. Other key achievements in office included the WA2.0 urban planning and affordable housing project, contesting the mandatory net filter and mandatory data retention, putting the Australian Games developer community on the Parliamentary radar, fighting a nuclear dump proposal and negotiating compensation for atomic veterans and desert mobs exposed to British nuclear weapons testing. Scott was communications spokesperson between 2008 and 2017 and resigned from the senate in July 2017.

About Guardian Australia



Launched in 2013, Guardian Australia is a premium digital news site in Australia, with a total reach of 2.565m people each month (Nielsen DRM, Jan 2017). Guardian Australia is a trusted source of quality Australian news, with a particular focus on politics, the environment and social welfare. Guardian Australia offers national news coverage and has four bureaus located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra. Guardian Australia is also part of the Guardian’s 24-hour global news operation, helping to cover breaking international stories in all parts of the world.