Major parties must rule out preference deal

Major parties must rule out preference deal with Fred Nile over immigration

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon today called on Premier Iemma and Opposition Leader Debnam to publicly reject Rev Fred Nile's call for a moratorium on Islamic immigration and to cancel any preference arrangements Labor or Liberal have made with the Christian Democrat Party.

"Premier Iemma and Mr Debnam have a responsibility to stop Rev Nile's policy gaining support and they should state publicly that there will be no deals with Rev Nile on preferences or when parliament resumes," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Rev Nile's statement makes NSW look ugly and racist. All public figures should distance themselves from such an unacceptable policy.

"Rev Nile is on a fast-track to becoming the Pauline Hanson of NSW politics.

"These statements do enormous damage to Australia not just NSW. Such divisive and intolerant attitudes will be widely reported. NSW political leaders should condemn Rev Nile's statements.

"Politicians across the board should have a common commitment to foster tolerance and respect, regardless of our political differences.

"But Rev Nile puts divisive politics first.

"I believe the majority of people would abhor Rev Nile's plan. But Rev Nile knows that some voters are uncertain about the future and this sometimes means they are uncertain about people of different cultures.

"Rev Nile is exploiting these differences in a crude attempt to grab votes. This is dirty politics," Ms Rhiannon said.

Preferences in Newcastle

Vote 1 for the Greens. It will send a strong message to Sydney Labor and the Coalition. After Voting 1 for the Greens, I encourage you fully exercise your democratic rights and indicate your preference for other candidates. If I am not elected, your vote will not be wasted – it will flow on to the candidates of your choice.

Invest in the future

Greens slam $100m to polluters - as pollution-free alternatives are starved

Greens leader Bob Brown says the Howard government's decision to give $100 million to help build a polluting brown coal power station in Victoria is a huge mistake.

"It's like putting $100 million into developing low-tar cigarettes. The end result will be burning brown coal with greenhouse gas pollution levels reduced to those of current black coal pollution," Senator Brown said.

"It is not clean coal. It is $100 million that should have gone to backing non-polluting alternatives like the 300 megawatt solar-thermal power station at Moree or the sliver cell solar technology which Origin Energy and the Australian National University have ready to go.

"Just yesterday I had another frustrated businessman tell me how his proposed zero-pollution wind farm for Port Augusta was stymied because the Howard government's mandatory renewable energy target had lapsed.

"By simply introducing a price on carbon and mandating a renewable energy target of 15% by 2012 a host of non-polluting solar, solar thermal, wind and geothermal options would be underway and attracting huge private investment.

"The billions-of-dollars profit coal industry, which has already siphoned off $300 million of taxpayers' money for so-called 'clean coal' experiments should pay for its own research," Senator Brown said.

Greens build new alliances

Kicking the coal habit: Greens build new alliances with farmers and miners

Greens leader Bob Brown yesterday joined with a Hunter Valley coal miner and a fifth generation farmer battling a proposed BHP Billiton coal mine to call for the phasing out of the coal industry at a public forum in Marrickville, 'The Inconvenient Truth About Coal'.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon, who spoke at the forum said, "Building these exciting new alliances are invaluable to the job of tackling multi-billion dollar mining giants."

Federal Senator Bob Brown said, "Here is the inconvenient truth for politicians: Australia cannot address climate change without reducing its coal exports and emissions. Australia must kick the coal habit.

"Both the Howard Coalition and Rudd Labor support burning more, not less, coal. This is an extreme position considering the massive economic and environmental crisis the world is facing.

"The nation should rapidly transform to being the world's largest exporter of solar power technology, other renewable energy options and energy efficiency technology – creating thousands of jobs and a multi-billion dollar export income in tandem with the replacement of coal," Senator Brown said.

Graham Brown, a miner from the Hunter Valley said, "I am a Greens member and also a member of the coal mining union and proud of both those positions.

"I earn my living digging coal but I see the future for this industry as black and bleak. Greens policies provide a transition to a modern renewable energy rich world for me, my workmates and our grandchildren," Mr Brown said.

Tim Duddy, a fifth generation farmer from the Liverpool Plains said, "The climate is changing and it is not just in the atmosphere. People are becoming more political aware of the things they need to do to save our planet.

"If we keep on sacrificing these vast tracks of high quality agricultural land how will we be able to feed future generations?", Mr Duddy said.

Greens candidate for Marrickville, Councillor Fiona Byrne, said, "The major parties dress themselves up as climate change champions but their Achilles' heel is coal.

"The Greens are working to expose this contradiction in the lead up to the March 24 election. The forum was one small step in raising awareness of the need to move rapidly away from coal and towards renewable energy."

Preference reaction

As the selection of media headlines below shows, the media and the old parties themselves seem to be having a hard time coming to terms with the impact of Greens preferences on the NSW election.

The response of both the old parties is probably the best indicator that we’ve made the right decisions.

“Greens dump Labor” [The Herald, 12 March]

“Opposition anger grows over Greens preference deal” [IBN News Online, 12 March]

“NSW Greens hitch wagon to Labor with deal on election preferences” [Sydney Morning Herald, 10 March]

“Greens shock Iemma” [Daily Telegraph, 10 March]

“Greens back Labor in NSW preferences” [Australian, 10 March]

Below is the preference statement issued by Newcastle Greens at our media conference in Civic Park yesterday.

'Vote for tomorrow, today'

Greens launch NSW election campaign: 'Vote for tomorrow, today'

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon and Senator Bob Brown today launched their party's election campaign, putting the challenge of climate change centre stage for their vision for NSW. They announced a series of programs that will deliver for the environment and the economy, as well as open and accountable government.

Ms Rhiannon said: "The Greens election launch is our opportunity to showcase our plans for NSW – how we can meet the climate change challenge and reinvigorate democracy in this state.

"Our campaign slogan, 'vote for tomorrow, today', is resonating with voters. People are looking for real change and a real alternative.

"With more Greens in parliament we can better hold the Government and the Opposition to account and we can introduce innovative and effective solutions to the key challenges facing the community.

"We will establish a Wind and Jobs Transition fund to kick-start wind technology manufacturing industries near coal-mining dependent communities in the Illawarra and Hunter. Revenue from carbon taxes will finance retraining for coal workers and interest free loans for companies to manufacture wind farm components.

"Our Greens Roofs project will make water tanks and solar hot water systems affordable for all households.

"In the next parliament Greens MPs will introduce legislation to establish a government-run finance scheme to provide households with interest free loans to buy and install solar hot water systems and water tanks connected to the washing machine and toilet.

"Our target is rainwater tanks on half a million homes by 2015 and solar hot water systems on million roofs in NSW by 2022.

"These financing packages will enable every household to participate in slashing greenhouse gas emissions and deliver massive jobs growth.

"The Greens don't want NSW to miss out on the thousands of new jobs in renewable energy and clean, green manufacturing," Ms Rhiannon said.

Senator Brown said: "From the Hunter to Balmain and Marrickville this election campaign has put the coal industry on notice.

"We Greens helped win the argument that climate change is real. Now we are fighting for real solutions. Moving towards a clean, green and renewable future is just common sense.

"Whatever party is elected on March 24 I know the Greens MPs will keep it on its toes taking the debate on critical issues, like coal, onto the floor of the Parliament," Senator Brown said.

13 sleeps to go to Newcastle election

There's only 13 sleeps and 9 public forums to go...

So come along if you can...

UPCOMING FORUMS FOR THE SEAT OF NEWCASTLE...
On Monday 12 March 2007, I'll be speaking at an environmental forum organised by Climate Action Newcastle and the Hunter Community Environment Centre, with support from Save Our Rail, Rising Tide Newcastle and EcoNetwork Port Stephens to be held at Newcastle City Hall from 6pm.

On Wednesday 14 March 2007, I'll be speaking at an education forum organised by the Teachers Federation from 5pm at Newcastle Trades Hall, Devonshire House.

On Wednesday 14 March 2007, I'll be speaking at a candidates forum organised by the Hunter Business Chamber to be held at Newcastle Panthers, Friendship Room from 6pm.

On Thursday 15 March 2007, I'll be opening the Green Corridor Art Exhibition at Watt Space Gallery from 7.30pm.

On Saturday 17 March 2007, I'll be speaking at the No War/Defend Civil Liberties rally at the Clocktower in Beaumont St, Hamilton from 11am.

On Monday 19 March 2007, I'll be speaking at a ‘Meet the Candidates’ forum on the subject of ‘law and justice’ organised by the Newcastle Law Society, in conjunction with the Newcastle Bar Association, at Club Panthers Newcastle, from 6pm.

On Tuesday 20 March 2007, I'll be speaking at Politics in the Pub about Water at the Hamilton Station Hotel from 6.30pm.

On Wednesday 21 March 2007, I'll be chairing a public forum on voluntary euthanasia to be held at the Resistance Centre, 472 Hunter St Newcastle from 7pm.

On Friday 23 March 2007, I'll be attending a vigil at the Clocktower in Beaumont St, Hamilton from 6pm.

FORUMS HELD SO FAR...
On Friday 9 March 2007, I spoke at the candidates forum held at Newcastle City Hall and organised by The Property Council.

On Wednesday 7 March 2007, I spoke at Newcastle University for Political Awareness Week organised by the student's association.

On Monday 5 March 2007, I spoke at the Throsby Community Forum held at St Marks Anglican Church Hall in Islington.

On Monday 5 March 2007, I participated in the NBN "hot seat" debate (pre-recorded between 10am and 12pm), screened that night.

On Sunday 4 March 2007, I spoke at the Greens campaign launch held at the Yoga Hall in Hamilton.

On Friday 2 March 2007, I spoke at a candidates forum held at the Alice Ferguson Centre in Merewether organised by the Independent Retirees Association.

On Monday 26 February 2007, I spoke at the Water Forum held at Newcastle City Hall which called for sustainable water management in the Hunter and Central Coast.

On Thursday 22 February 2007, I spoke at the candidates forum at Newcastle City Hall organised by the New Institute.

On Wednesday 21 February 2007, I spoke at the Stockton Community Forum at the Stockton Senior Citizens Centre.

On Wednesday 21 February 2007, I attended the launch of the workers compensation "fair go" campaign organised by the Trades Hall and the Law Society.

On Tuesday 20 February 2007, I spoke at the Business breakfast organised by the Newcastle Alliance and the City East and City West precinct committees.

On Saturday 10 February 2007, I was in the water for the People's Occupation of the world's biggest coal port!

On Thursday 8 February 2007, I went on on a tour of local youth services organised by the Regional Youth Development Officers Network which included stops at local youth accommodation, support, crisis, health and employment services as well as a visit to the Callaghan College Jesmond Campus.

On 18 January 2007, I spoke at a Youth Interagency Political forum at The Ark in Wickham organised by Regional Youth Development Officers Network.

On Monday 11 December 2006, I attended the presentation by Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe "Energy for a Sustainable Future" at the Newcastle Conservatorium.

On Thursday 7 December 2006, I attended the Environment and Community Coalition of Hunter Organisations meeting to discuss the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy.

On Wednesday 6 December 2006, I attended the United Nations forum on human rights awareness forum held in City Hall.

On Monday 4 December 2006, I spoke at a social services forum organised by the Hunter Council of Social Services.

On Saturday 2 December 2006, I spoke at the "Reclaim our town" rally in Newcastle City Hall organised by the Save Our Rail group.

On Friday 8 November 2006, I spoke at the United Nations Youth Association (UNYA) Newcastle forum held at the Loft focussed on “Detained Without Charge: Guantanamo Bay”.

Newcastle Greens not to preference Sydney Labor's McKay

Newcastle Greens

MEDIA STATEMENT
11 March 2007

Newcastle Greens recommend preferences in six Lower Hunter seats

Following consultation with its members and supporters, the Newcastle Greens have agreed on the following recommendations to Greens’ voters in the electoral divisions of Charlestown, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Swansea and Wallsend.

The Newcastle Greens emphasise that these are only recommendations, and that every voter has the right and ability to cast their vote in the order of their choice.

Unlike the compulsory preferential system used in Federal elections, the optional preferential system used to elect members to the NSW Legislative Assembly does not require voters to number every box. Consequentially, voters often will not fill in all the squares, and, similarly, Newcastle Greens have not recommended preferences for all candidates.

However, we encourage individual voters (Green or otherwise) to indicate preferences on their ballots where they do prefer one or more candidates, over others.

The Greens’ organisational structure is different to other political parties. We are a party committed to grassroots democracy. There is no centralised control - no Sussex St equivalent - a fact often not understood by some in the media. Newcastle Greens are an autonomous Local Group with the constitutional right to pre-select its local candidates, and to determine its own preference recommendations.

Newcastle Greens have cooperated with The Greens NSW in achieving an agreement – a collective bargaining agreement - with NSW Labor that delivers upper house preferences and significantly improves the possibility of Greens being elected to Upper House seats.

Historically, The Greens have recommended preferences for progressive independents before Labor, and have not recommended preferences for the Coalition. Deciding preference recommendations for the upcoming state election has been very difficult, as the ALP has performed so poorly. The Coalition has shown it would be even worse.

Newcastle Greens have various criteria for determining preferences. Only after a candidate or political party has satisfied us that they warrant being recommended to receive a preference, will we discuss mutually beneficial preference recommendations. In some instances, if there is sufficient trust in a competing candidate, we will recommend a preference without receiving any reciprocal benefit. This is the case in a number of the preference decisions we have made with the six electorates we are dealing with here.

The issues we investigated with other candidates and considered in determining whether to recommend preference to them were:

* Policy or position on climate change;
* Policy or position on the Port Stephens - Great Lakes Marine Park (Port Stephens);
* Policy or position on Catherine Hill Bay (Swansea);
* Opposition to handing over industrial relations to the Howard government;
* Support to revoke Part 3A of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act;
* Support for legislation banning developer donations;
* The position the candidates would take in the case of a hung parliament.

The preference recommendations for the Newcastle Greens are as follows:

Charlestown
Jane Smith – The Greens 1
Matthew Morris – Labor 2

• There is no progressive independent candidate in Charlestown.
• Matthew Morris is a locally pre-selected incumbent Labor member who survived an earlier parachute raid from Sydney ALP power-brokers.
• Charlestown was included in the broader agreement between the ALP and The Greens NSW.

Wallsend
Keith Parsons – The Greens 1
Sonia Hornery – Labor 2

• There is no progressive independent candidate in Wallsend.
• Sonia Hornery has been locally pre-selected.
• Ms Hornery has a strong record on industrial relations.
• Wallsend was included in the agreement between ALP and The Greens NSW.

Port Stephens
Charmian Eckersley – The Greens 1
Jim Arneman – Labor 2

• Newcastle Greens welcome the establishment of the Port Stephens - Great Lakes Marine Park but do not believe it goes far enough. Whilst we consider Labor’s Marine Park inadequate, we are horrified that the Coalition and other candidates in this marginal seat have been prepared to play politics with this against the interests of both Port Stephens voters and the environment. Any reduction in size or level of protection is viewed with great concern.
• The ALP candidate, Jim Arneman appears to us to have the potential to be a progressive voice in the Port Stephens community.
• Port Stephens is included in the agreement between the ALP and The Greens NSW.

Swansea
Sue Wynn – The Greens 1
Peter Lee – Democrats 2
Laurie Coughlan – Independent 3
Robert Coombs – Labor 4

• The Democrats have historically had a position on many issues in line with those of The Greens.
• The Independent candidate, Laurie Coghlan, supports the local community’s opposition to a) the ruinous planning proposal for Catherine Hill Bay; b) Federal industrial relations takeover; and c) developer donations.
• Swansea is included in the agreement between ALP and The Greens NSW.

Lake Macquarie
Suzanne Pritchard – The Greens 1
Greg Piper – Independent 2
Jeff Hunter – Labor 3

• We regard Greg Piper as a progressive independent. During his political career, Cr Piper has generally taken a progressive approach on social and environmental issues.
• Cr Piper has stated he would support legislation in relation to developer donations so there is a level playing field.
• He has also assured us that he would not support the referral of the state’s industrial relations power to Howard's Work Choices.
• Lake Macquarie was NOT included in the agreement between ALP and The Greens.

Newcastle
Michael Osborne – The Greens 1
Bryce Gaudry 2

Newcastle Greens acknowledge the role of the ALP for giving Newcastle its most interesting election in history.

Newcastle Greens have decided to recommend a preference for Bryce Gaudry only. We are making no preference recommendation for either John Tate or Jodie McKay. Our how-to-vote cards for Newcastle will urge Greens voters to follow our recommendation up to number 2, and then to preference other candidates according to their individual preferences.

• Bryce Gaudry:

a) has consistently supported the retention of rail through to Newcastle;
b) led opposition to the privatisation of electricity generators;
c) will support legislation to ban developer donations to candidates and political parties;
d) is well respected locally - local ALP members were not given a chance to say whether they wanted him or not;
e) has called for the repeal of Part 3A of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act; and
f) has effectively adopted our policy on establishing a renewable energy industry in Newcastle.

• As a party committed to grassroots democracy, Newcastle Greens share the concern of many ALP members that Mr Gaudry’s removal by Sydney ALP powerbrokers is the thin end of the wedge and the selection of celebrity candidates in this manner is an affront to democracy.
• Newcastle Greens believe Mr Gaudry is the candidate most likely to support Greens' positions and policies.
• John Tate has constantly opposed Greens' initiatives, policies and positions during his time as Lord Mayor.
• Jodie McKay was parachuted in by ALP power brokers against the will of the majority of local branches.
• Ms McKay has an untenable position on the continued expansion of the coal industry.
• There was significant opposition from members of Newcastle Greens to recommending preferences to either John Tate or Jodie McKay.
• The preference framework agreement between the ALP and The Greens recognises the position adopted by Newcastle Greens in relation to the seat of Newcastle.

Iemma's environment plan hides his dirty linen

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said the Premier's environment package released today made a mockery of Labor's claim that March 24 would be a 'climate change' election, with the public being handed a moth eaten bag of reannouncements.

"Labor's Achilles' heel is its ongoing dance with the coal industry, a desalination plant, unfiltered motorways and the logging of native forests," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Climate change leaves no time for used band-aids.

"The environment has been gifted a measly $129 million over four years, while Labor hands over $1.9 billion for a desalination plant that may or may not be turned on.

"The initiatives to cut greenhouse gases and air pollution keep a focus on cars, with the 'solutions' resting at the petrol pump and at the feet of car and truck owners.

"Communities around Sydney fighting unfiltered motorway stacks will be insulted by these measures.

"The government has avoided real solutions like ending the construction of motorways and investing in public transport and rail freight.

"All the national parks in the world will not make up for the climate change implications of Labor's commitment to massively expand the coal industry in NSW.

"While Premier Iemma makes noise about the horrors of broadscale land-clearing, he ignores the silent logging of our native forests occurring in South East NSW.

"The best satellite monitoring equipment will not help end illegal land-clearing unless there is culture shift within the Department of Natural Resources to monitor and prosecute.

"Premier Iemma cannot hide behind the skirts of the Coalition's poor environment record.

"Despite the flaws in Bob Carr's environmental policies, his genuine and personal commitment to the environment was clear.

"Today's announcement shows considerable slippage in Labor's commitment to the environment at a time when climate change has charged through the door," Ms Rhiannon said.

Tomorrow "as bare as you dare" for climate change

On Saturday the 10th of March, three Australian cites will participate in this co-ordinated global event. Brisbane, Melbourne and Newcastle will all ride naked.


Intending Newcastle participants should assemble by 3pm at Rosegum Road Reserve, next to the Warabrook train station. Everyone is welcome to participate for free.

The world's largest naked protest event is the World Naked Bike Ride. Riders in 56 cities in 16 countries take to streets against non-renewable energy, for the environment, peace and the right of cyclists to use the road safely.

For a future to exist for tomorrow's generations, we must stop exploiting mineral energy, stop polluting the Earth, stop fighting and killing in the name of consumerist wealth accumulation and learn to love and respect all life, and to continue to spread this message.

The dress code for the ride is go "As Bare As You Dare" so clothing is optional. The event is not an overt display of sexuality and the nakedness of the riders indicates their vulnerability to motorised vehicles and their connection with humanity and nature.

For more information go to World Naked Bike Ride and follow the link or just go straight to Wiki

Apart from being hilarious fun, the World Naked Bike Ride is trying to stop carbon induced climate change that threatens the planet. You could help save the world or at least die laughing while trying.

PM supports kangaroo court for Hicks

The Prime Minister's happiness with the impending appearance of David Hicks in a US military kangaroo court will not be shared by many Australians, Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.

"David Hicks should be brought home immediately and John Howard has said he could make that happen. The court is illegitimate, the handling of Hicks has been illegal and the Prime Minister's connivance with the Bush administration has been against Australia's interests and dignity," Senator Brown said.

"The Prime Minister is planning a political outcome involving Hicks being charged, condemned to prison and then brought home to serve that sentence. John Howard is taking the sense of fair play for granted if he thinks it ill be as simple as that. It won't," Senator Brown said.

Greens launch TAFE policy

Greens launch TAFE policy: The cure for an abused and neglected system

Greens NSW Upper House candidate and education spokesperson John Kaye today met with TAFE students and teachers to launch his party’s $1.6 billion ‘Save TAFE’ package.

Speaking outside Ultimo TAFE, Dr Kaye said: “State and Federal governments have slashed their commitment to TAFE. Between 1998 and 2005, expenditure on TAFE fell by 22% per student hour in real terms.

“Today we heard about the disastrous consequences for TAFE teachers and students. Courses have been shortened and cut, workloads have become unreasonable and qualified applicants are being turned away. The spectacular growth in fees and charges is having a devastating impact on students from low income backgrounds. Student poverty is becoming a real problem.

“The Carr/Iemma Government has abandoned TAFE. They have reduced their per student hour funding and allowed permanent teaching positions to disappear.

“Today I announce The Greens package that promises $400 million more money each year to restore TAFE. We would boost per student funding and provide new money to allow student numbers to grow. We would address student poverty with financial assistance to those who really doing it tough.

“TAFE is not seen as the most glamorous end of education, and so it receives the least attention from politicians who are focused on headlines and marginal seats.

“Yet investment in TAFE is the best cure for the skills shortage. It is central to building a strong economy. And it is offers real opportunities for many young people to become part of the economic, political and cultural life of this nation.

“Spending on TAFE is a great investment in the future. The Allen Consulting Group estimates that for each $1 invested in TAFE today, the economy reaps a $6.40 benefit over 20 years. The total benefit of four years of the Greens package would be more than $10.2 billion.

“The Greens package directly challenges Morris Iemma and Peter Debnam to make real commitments to the future of TAFE.

“Whoever forms government can either continue the neglect or they can make real progress on positioning the NSW economy to take up the challenges of the next 20 years,” Dr Kaye said.

Sydney Labor's dirty tricks

Carmel Tebbutt makes false claims about Greens preferences

Greens candidate for Marrickville, Councillor Fiona Byrne, said she was astonished that Carmel Tebbutt so blatantly misled the public about Greens preferences at a climate change forum in Marrickville on Tuesday night.

"Ms Tebbutt told the forum that the Greens had preferenced the Coalition before Aboriginal Labor MP Linda Burney in the seat of Canterbury during the 2003 State election.

"This is false. The Greens have never preferenced the Coalition ahead of Labor in any state or federal electorate in NSW.

"The 'How to Vote' for the Canterbury Greens in 2003 recommended that voters put 1. The Greens, 2. Save Our Suburbs and then exhaust.

"Carmel Tebbutt made a clear attempt to smear the Greens in front of an audience that is concerned about the environment," Clr Byrne said.

Greens MP and lead upper house candidate Lee Rhiannon said, "Labor is desperate to reduce the Greens primary vote, particularly in seats like Marrickville and Balmain, where we are gaining more support.

"One trick is to frighten voters into mistakenly believing that a vote for the Greens might assist in electing a Coalition government.

"During the 2005 Marrickville by-election voters woke up on polling day to read allegations in a major Sydney paper that the Greens had spied and stalked Carmel Tebbutt, using 'ASIO style tactics'. This also was blatantly untrue.

"Labor is notorious for dirty tricks and misinformation in Labor/Greens marginal seats in the final days of election campaigns.

"'When voters hear negative reports about The Greens from Labor party sources, the truth of those reports needs to be questioned, and voters need to consider if Labor really deserves their vote," Ms Rhiannon said.

Political inaction undermining water supply

Continued mining underneath water courses is cracking river beds, draining and polluting rivers and threatening the quality and quality of drinking and agriculture water, according to Greens Upper House caudate John Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: "Allowing coal mining to push under water catchments is causing a catastrophe that is largely being ignored by both the Coalition and the Government.

"Later today I will launch The Greens 'Water more precious than coal' private members bill that would ban mining activity within one kilometre of all water courses in NSW. This would affect existing mining leases and retract permissions within the buffer zone.

"We challenge Premier Iemma and Opposition Leader Debnam to join with us in protecting the water supply.

"Despite being repeatedly warned of the dangers, the Iemma government allowed long wall coal mining under the Waratah Rivulet that feeds into the Woronora Catchment. The watercourse bed cracked and drained the rivulet. Now it is badly polluted and hardly flows at all.

"Mining at the Appin 3 colliery recently damaged the Cataract River and further depleted Sydney's catchments. NSW Mineral Resources Minister Ian Macdonald ignored the Interagency Committee's buffer recommendation of 350 m, watering it down to 80 m.

"Valuable runoff into Sydney's water supply has been lost or damaged.

"The catastrophe is set to be repeated in other mining areas, with the extension of the huge Dendrobium coal mine under the Avon and Cordeaux catchments.

"While the state government fiddles, the water supply is being compromised.

"The Greens are calling on all political parties to put the security of the water supply ahead of their allegiances to the mining industry.

"A one kilometre protection zone would protect the catchments and stop the cracking and draining of most water courses.

"We do not have time for further inquiries or debates about appropriate stand off distances. Sydney's storages are already perilously depleted. Destroying catchments while planning for desalination plants makes no sense," Dr Kaye said.

Greens candidates 53% women

Greens candidates 53% women: major parties drag the chain

On the eve of International Women's Day, Greens Senator Kerry Nettle and Greens MP Lee Rhiannon gathered with Greens Lower House women candidates at NSW Parliament to celebrate that 53%, or 49 out of 93 lower house candidates, are women.

Labor's representation is 40% (37 women from 93 candidates), the Liberals 19% (16 women from 83 candidates) and the Nationals 14% (3 out of 21 seats).

Greens MP and lead upper house candidate Lee Rhiannon said, "Labor hands women like Jodi McKay a parachute, while the Greens give them a springboard. The Greens outdo Labor by 13 percent.

"You have to bush bash to find a female National candidate and the Liberals' figure of 19% is truly disturbing.

"It's time the Coalition parties took a look at the road blocks they've placed in front of women.

"The Carr and Iemma governments have not delivered for women. In the entire 182 pages of Labor's State Plan the word 'women' is only mentioned once.

"Labor abolished the Department for Women and has reduced funding for women's services to a trickle. Peter Debnam has offered no sign his party will do any better," Ms Rhiannon said.

Federal Greens Senator Kerry Nettle said, "The Greens' historic figure reflects the success of our policies that value women and encourage them to stand. We hope the major parties follow our lead.

"The Greens have always had strong female representation in Parliament and have been at the forefront of women's campaigns for decades," Senator Nettle said.

Women in the Greens
Elected
2 out of 3 NSW Upper House Greens are women
3 out of 4 Federal senators are women
62 % of local Greens councillors are women
First Greens MP was a women – Jo Valentine, WA Federal Senator (elected 1985)
First 'out' lesbian MP in any Australian parliament, WA MLC Giz Watson

Candidates
49 out of 93 NSW Lower House candidates women
11 out of 21 NSW Upper House candidates women

Political donations on the table

Greens MP and Upper House candidate Lee Rhiannon yesterday hosted a donations roundtable forum at NSW Parliament House on political finance reform, organised by the Gilbert & Tobin Centre at UNSW and the University of Melbourne Law School.

"Public concern is growing about the damaging impact that donations are having on the political process. The Greens are hosting today's roundtable to discuss ways to rein in chequebook democracy and reform political donations", said Ms Rhiannon.

"Academics and federal and state parliamentarians from all over Australia are attending the roundtable today, including MPs from the Greens, the ALP and the Democrats.

"The roundtable will debate reforms to donations disclosure laws and election expenditure limits.

"Every major party is represented at the roundtable today except the Liberal Party. Invitations were sent to a number of Liberal MPs at both a state and federal level.

"The Greens launched our political donations project five years ago to expose the extent that donations have a corrupting influence on our democracy. Since that time, many voices have joined the call to reform the political donations system", said Ms Rhiannon.

"The best way to clean up politics is for the major parties to take this issue up at all levels of government to at least tighten up disclosure laws or at best ban political donations altogether", said Ms Rhiannon.

Sharks in Macquarie St must leave grey nurse alone

The NSW Opposition should not be backing allegations that grey nurse shark numbers are under reported, according to NSW Greens MP Ian Cohen.

“Opponents of marine parks constantly refer, inaccurately, to the lack of science in the marine park zoning process. Now these same people are telling us that anecdotal evidence from the Spearfishing Association and an alleged anonymous source in NSW Fisheries is proof that the grey nurse shark is not actually endangered at all,” said Mr Cohen.

“Unfounded scare mongering by people with a clear vested interest does not constitute fact.

“The Greens agree that there needs to be more research into grey nurse shark numbers. We would love to see an indication that their numbers are increasing. Unfortunately the consensus among marine experts, as opposed to the vested interests of the fishing industry, is that the grey nurse shark does remain in grave danger.

“Grey nurse sharks have a very slow reproductive rate – they breed once every two years, with a maximum of two pups per litter. This is the lowest rate of any shark. Claims that there has been a recent population explosion are ludicrous.

“The State Opposition is clearly looking for any issue that can give their flagging electoral fortunes a boost. Misinformation peddled by industry lobby groups and desperate politicians should not determine the future of this magnificent apex predator.

“The Federal Department of the Environment also lists the grey nurse as a threatened species. Malcolm Turnbull should be telling his NSW Coalition colleagues to pull their heads in.

“The Labor Government could have done more to protect the grey nurse shark, but it is clear that a NSW Coalition Government would be an unmitigated disaster for the state’s marine environment,” concluded Mr Cohen.

New climate change website

You know you are having some effect when the coal lobby wants to shut down a website!

The powerful coal industry lobby group, the NSW Minerals Council, has been attempting to censor the climate change debate by getting their lawyers to shut down a community based climate change website.

The website is a parody of the NSW Minerals Council's big budget public relations campaign to promote the virtues of the coal industry. Climate activist group Rising Tide built the site to highlight the growing contribution coal exports make to climate change.

This is an extraordinary case of censorship by the powerful coal industry. The NSW Minerals Council is pulling out all stops to censor public debate on the deadly impact of coal on our climate at a time when robust open debate on the future of coal is urgently needed.

A recent Hunter survey that showed more than half of people in the Hunter now feel the negative impacts of coal far outweigh the positive benefits, has pushed the powerful coal lobby to this desperate measure.

People in Newcastle want real action on the climate crisis.

Check out...
NSW Mineral Council's coal PR spin website
Rising Tide's coal impact website

Fireproof NSW workers from WorkChoices

Greens industrial relations election platform

Greens MP and NSW Upper House candidate Lee Rhiannon today launched the Greens Protecting NSW Workers from WorkChoices bill, as the key plank of the party's industrial relations election strategy.

The Greens private members bill will be introduced in the next session of parliament. If passed this bill would provide the most expansive state legislation to date to protect NSW workers from WorkChoices.

"The Greens bill would give unprecedented protection from WorkChoices to all workers in the public sector, in local councils and in companies that contract to the government", said Ms Rhiannon.

"The Iemma Government has made good inroads into protecting some public sector workers in NSW. But Labor voted down Greens amendments to extend this protection to all workers in state owned corporations and local government.

"Employees of the RTA and TAFE Commission are now protected but employees at Sydney Ferries, Rail Corp, Sydney Water Corporation, Hunter Water Corporation and Energy Australia are not.

"Rather than hand-picking individual public sector organisations, the Greens bill changes the employment status of workers of all state owned corporations and local government workers.

"This change would shield over 50,000 local council workers and many thousands of workers in state-owned corporations from the damaging impact of WorkChoices.

"The Greens bill would also require that private companies tendering to the NSW government must pay wage rates and provide working conditions that are no worse than the state award.

"Restricting government contracts to companies that do not infringe workers rights should be at the top of the 'to do' list for a government opposed to WorkChoices.

"WorkChoices is anything but choices at work. ABS data released last week showed that non-managerial workers on individual contracts typically work longer hours and are paid 90c less an hour than workers on collective agreements.

"The NSW government has the legal ability to stand up to the Howard government and draft legislation that fireproofs NSW workers from WorkChoices.

"There would be nowhere to hide from WorkChoices in NSW if Mr Debnam is elected. We need strong and comprehensive protection for workers in NSW.

"Premier Iemma and all Labor MPs can show their commitment to fireproofing more NSW workers from WorkChoices by committing to support the Greens' bill after the election," Ms Rhiannon said.

Half a million rainwater tanks by 2015

Green roofs – Half a million rainwater tanks by 2015

Greens MP and Upper House candidate Lee Rhiannon will tonight announce the 'Green Roofs' plan – a Greens plan to install half a million rainwater tanks across Sydney by 2015 through a government-run finance scheme that would offer interest-free loans with long-term repayment options to households wanting to install a water tank

Ms Rhiannon will announce the plan at an NCC urban water forum in Sydney this evening.

"The Greens will move a private members bill after the election to establish a government-run finance scheme that will offer households interest-free loans on rainwater tanks and integrate repayments into water bills", said Ms Rhiannon.

"The Green Roofs plan aims to install half a million water tanks across Sydney by 2015.

"Cost should not be a barrier to saving water. A water tank should be within the reach of every Australian household, not a luxury item.

"The Greens plan would mean that people across Sydney could buy and install household water tanks at no up-front cost. Households would pay off the cost of a tank as part of their regular water bills and the government would cover the interest on these loans.

"Only 29,000 water tanks have been installed in Sydney and the number of new installations per year is now falling. The cost of water tanks is too prohibitive for many low and middle-income households.

"The rebate schemes offered by Premier Iemma and Mr Debnam do not even come close to covering the cost of buying and installing a water tank.

"This is a win-win plan that would cut household water bills by as much as 50% and save our precious rain water now and into the future.

"Rainwater tanks connected to household roofs can provide water to the garden, toilet and laundry and save up to 40,000 litres per household per year. At a conservative estimate, the Green Roofs plan could save approximately 20 gigalitres per year.

"Under this scheme, repayments for the average household water tank would be around $12.50 per month over 20 years, with the government picking up the interest cost to make the program more affordable.

"The Green Roof plan would cost the government an average of $95 million per year over the life of the scheme, in conjunction with the Greens proposal to double the water tank rebate.

"Sydney is a rain magnet compared to most of NSW and the Government's first priority should be saving the water that falls on Sydney's roofs.

"Premier Iemma should reject the $2 billion desal white elephant and instead support the Greens bill to make water tanks affordable", said Ms Rhiannon.