Let's keep Sydney Labor honest

Greens best chance to hold a returned Sydney Labor govt to account

On the eve of the election, I urge you to vote for the Greens in the Upper House and the Lower House to provide the best chance of holding a returned Sydney Labor government to account and pressure it to take action on climate change.

The polls signal an easy win for Sydney Labor so I'm asking voters to consider how they can best use their vote.

If the Greens hold the balance of power in the Upper House we will play a responsible but critical role in scrutinising Sydney Labor's actions.

The Greens would use any potential balance of power situation to build open and accountable government and force real action on climate change.

The Opposition has been ineffectual in keeping Sydney Labor honest during its 12 years of office and has shown no sign it will do a better job if it loses this election.

The past voting pattern of the Christian Democrats shows the party has consistently acted as Sydney Labor's lapdog. In the last parliament they voted with Sydney Labor and the Coalition 97 percent of the time.

The combined vote of Sydney Labor, the Coalition and the Christian Democrats has led to the weakening of threatened species legislation, the opening up of Sydney Water and Hunter Water to privatisation and the watering down of planning laws in favour of developers.

If voters are looking to give Sydney Labor a shake up I urge them to vote for the Greens on Saturday.

Examples of the Greens record in the last parliament include:

* passage of a Greens Save the Snowy Hydro Bill through both houses of parliament

* securing the release of secret government documents, eg covering the Cross City Tunnel, Callan Park, M5 East filtration and proposed M4 East extension

* exposing the impact of political donations on the democratic process and establishment of Democracy 4 sale website

* passage of a Greens private members bill to review the NSW Freedom of Information Act in the Upper House

* successfully passed motions, eg to increase the number of ESL teachers and reconstitute the NSW Coastal Council

* adoption of hundreds of Greens amendments to government legislation

* established parliamentary inquiries on key social justice and environment issues.