The first climate change election

8 October 2006
Greens release NSW election plan

The Greens NSW today released details of their biggest state election campaign, with plans to shift government policy on issues such as climate change, protection of the natural environment and job security, and boost the number of Greens MPs.

"This is Australia's first climate change election. The Greens are campaigning to break the major parties' addiction to coal, to wasting energy and to building inefficient motorways," Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said.

"The Greens election platform sets out how we can have a win for the environment and win for the economy by investing in renewables.

Lee Rhiannon is likely to be re-elected and there is a strong chance she will be joined by the second candidate on the Greens ticket, Dr John Kaye, taking the Greens Upper House team to four MPs. This could be enough to hold the balance of power.

"The NSW Upper House will be a very different place after the next election. There will be a changing of the guard among the independents and minor parties, and Greens MPs are well positioned to play a pivotal role in passing legislation," Ms Rhiannon said.

"More Greens MPs means that the major parties will find it harder to ignore the needs of the community.

"The Carr and Iemma governments have been a big disappointment. Apart from Labor's stand on WorkChoices, their policies are often conservative and driven by the big end of town. The conservative Coalition is much worse.

"If the Greens hold the balance of power in the Upper House in the next parliament, the government will be under greater pressure to deliver progressive policies that work for the environment and communities across NSW.

"I am very pleased to release the Greens 2007 election platform, which outlines how we can restore public services, protect the environment and make the government more accountable to the people of NSW.

"We plan to stand candidates in all 93 Lower House seats.

"More than 2000 Greens members in NSW are ready for an active statewide campaign. Although the major parties use their corporate donations to heavily outspend us, we can match or outdo Labor and the Coalition in mobilising people," Ms Rhiannon said.