Strong NSW vote for Greens is vote for action on climate change

The increase in support for the Greens in the NSW Upper and Lower Houses reflects a growing desire amongst voters for genuine action on climate change Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today.

Speaking at a press conference with Greens MP elect John Kaye, Ms Rhiannon provided details of the Greens vote.

"The Greens vote is very likely to reach nine per cent in the NSW Upper House. The Greens are set to gain a record two quotas in our own right," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Our average vote across Lower House seats is also about nine per cent.

"The two party preferred vote in Balmain is Labor 54 per cent to Greens 46 per cent. In Marrickville the two party preferred vote is Labor 58 per cent to Greens 42 per cent.

"We polled over 30 per cent in two seats - Marrickville and Balmain. In three more we polled over 20 per cent - Coogee, Ballina and Peter Debnam's seat of Vaucluse - and in 10 or more we recorded over 15 per cent.

"There have been strong swings to the Greens in Heffron and Canterbury. In a number of northern Sydney seats – Pittwater, Manly and North Shore – the Greens candidate gained more votes than the Labor candidate.

"These results show that the Greens are eroding Labor's vote in an increasing number of seats. Considering Labor outspends the Greens by about 20 to one this is a pleasing outcome.

"This result lays an excellent base for the Greens federal election campaign, coming on top of last year's breakthrough with the first Greens MPs taking their seats in the South Australian and the Victorian Upper Houses.

"These results are not just a victory for the Greens but for all those who want action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"There is growing support for the Greens plan to phase out the coal industry. It is time that Labor recognised that we can both make the transition away from coal to renewable energy and have jobs growth.

"My colleagues Greens MPs Ian Cohen and Sylvia Hale and I are looking forward to working with John Kaye. As an energy and education expert he will be an excellent asset to the Greens team in parliament," Ms Rhiannon said.