“The increased vote for the Greens reflects a desire from the Australian public for real action on climate change. This will drive my work in Federal Parliament,” Senator Rhiannon said.
“The agreement negotiated by the Greens with the Gillard government provides a real chance to reinvigorate politics and reform the parliamentary process.
“I will continue my work for electoral funding reform begun through the Greens Democracy4Sale project, to refresh the democratic process by eliminating the special access currently enjoyed by big business.
“Better public transport for NSW will be a priority. The Federal government must invest in Sydney’s crumbling network and provide rail options for regional NSW to stop the growth in trucks on our roads.
“I will also work to achieve other goals I pledged to pursue the week before the election.
“These include a shift from coal to renewable energy, a better deal for public education and the end to woodchipping of the south east forests.
“Taking the voice of local communities across NSW to Federal Parliament will remain one of my key priorities.
“The new political terrain, where the Greens hold the balance of power in the Senate, is an exciting opportunity.
“I am looking forward to working with Senator Bob Brown and the Greens federal parliamentary team. We will work responsibly to help deliver real change with an eye to a sustainable and progressive future.
“I thank all members and supporters who campaigned for the Greens and the voters of NSW,” Ms Rhiannon said.
The Greens received 443,913 votes in the NSW Senate ballot. This is 10.69 per cent of the vote.
For more information: Lee Rhiannon 0427 861 568
“The silence of the Gillard and Abbott camps is deafening on electoral funding reform and it’s time they made similar commitments to the NSW Premier during this campaign to clean up donations.
“A big unknown is whether the reforms being put forward by Ms Keneally will echo recommendations of the latest NSW parliamentary inquiry to limit donations from unions and restrict the role of union affiliation funds.
“To be effective there also needs to be strict caps on spending by third parties, especially lobby groups like mining organisations. “If these are not in place, third parties could remain free to spend millions to influence elections.
“A good example of third party spending is the Alliance of Australian Retailers, which plans to expend up to $5 million dollars during the current election campaign to influence policy.
“Premier Keneally must also clarify whether the reforms will allow extra spending by the parties’ head offices, in addition to the $100,000 limit proposed for each seat.
“The cap of $100,000 spending by parties for each seat is very high. Will the Premier prevent a party from transferring a certain amount of this allocation from safe seats to increase the amount spent in marginal seats?
“NSW has been the site of many donations scandals and while there’s been some noise from the major parties the move to overhaul funding laws has been very slow.
“Premier Kristina Keneally needs to do more than a one page press release on this. She must propose detailed laws well before the March 2011 election and secure Barry O’Farrell’s commitment to their passage,” Ms Rhiannon said.
]]>“Workers rights were eroded under the Howard government and some remnants remain. It’s time to bury them.
“A first rate industrial relations framework, like a good health and education system, is critical to maintaining a decent standard of living for all Australians.
“The Greens will not allow the federal industrial relations harmonization process, kicked off when Julia Gillard was Minister for Industrial Relations, to weaken NSW workplace safety conditions.
Key components of the Greens NSW industrial relations plan are:
Jack Mundey, Green Bans’ campaigner and Greens NSW member said,
“Over the last decade I have watched Lee work hard to protect workers’ rights.
“Lee’s successful campaigns to build tougher industrial manslaughter laws, preserve workers’ compensation entitlements and promote green jobs are right on the money.
“NSW workers would gain a strong advocate if Lee was elected to the Senate,” Mr Mundey said.
Contact: Lee Rhiannon: 0427 861 568
Read more about the Greens NSW Industrial Relations Plan here
]]>“Voters can feel safe giving a number one to the Greens and two for the major party of their choice.
“We are fortunate to have a preferential voting system and I urge voters not to be confused by the last minute messages from Labor and the Coalition parties.
“People can vote for the Greens in the Senate, and in the House of Representatives for the Greens and then for the major party of their choice.
“The leaking of internal Labor Party polling has occurred in previous close elections. Labor Party strategists work hard to pull back voters from the Greens, by scaring them into thinking that the Coalition will win if they do not give Labor a number one vote. This is wrong.
“I am appealing to voters considering voting for the Greens to use their vote wisely and not to give their first preference to either Labor or the Coalition,” Ms Rhiannon said.
For more information – 0427 861 568
]]>I will work to increase public participation in decision making and advance electoral funding reform, public accountability of elected representatives, regulation of lobbyists and improved public access to government information.
I will be a loud voice for an orderly shift from coal-fired electricity that will cut greenhouse gas emissions, create thousands of sustainable, new jobs particularly in regional Australia and reduce adverse health impacts and local air and water pollution.
I am committed to stop woodchipping of native forests in the NSW south east, to protect biodiversity, benefit local agriculture and tourism and capture and store green carbon.
Expansion of public transport services promotes cohesive communities and reduces our impact on the environment. I will work to prioritise federal funding for public transport infrastructure.
I am committed to a better funding deal that prioritises public education, restores the balance with non-government schools, and increases resources for TAFE and universities.
]]>“Polls suggest the election will be toe-curlingly close and Labor is exploiting this to grow their vote and shrink the Greens,” Ms Rhiannon said.
“Voting 1 for the Greens in the Senate remains the smart choice. The last thing the nation needs is an Abbott controlled Senate.
“Voters should not be conned into believing this is now a two-horse race.
“Winning a Senate spot for the Greens in NSW has always been a tough ask. With the major parties running neck and neck it becomes even harder.
“Waking up on Sunday morning with more Greens going into the Senate is the best security NSW voters can buy to ensure responsible scrutiny of whatever party wins government.
“The preferential voting system allows people to send a strong message to the major parties that climate change, public education and refugees deserve a better deal.
“The Greens are expecting to increase our vote in lower house seats across NSW, setting the stage for a historic vote in the March 2011 state election.
“Tomorrow voters will be welcomed by a strong Greens presence on booths across NSW, with a 20% increase in Greens handing out since the last election. This includes ‘Tamils For Greens’ workers who will join us on 14 Western Sydney booths.
“This has been a busy and exciting campaign for the Greens across Australia. More people are seeing the Greens as a responsible voice for change,” Ms Rhiannon said.
Contact: Alison Orme for Lee Rhiannon 0432 332 104
]]>“There are no restrictions at a Federal election governing the size of banners and posters that can grace polling booths, unlike during State elections where electoral laws restrict banner and posters to 8,000 square cms.
“What we see today is Labor and the Coaliton drowning booths with plastic wrap and hundreds of corflutes, disadvantaging independent and minor party candidates and creating tension on the booths as campaign volunteers vie for space.
“In Grayndler in Sydney’s Inner West Anthony Albanese has trucks, vans, gazebos and booths crowded with material, with some telegraph poles groaning under 10 Labor corflutes. In past elections Mr Albanese has hired cherry pickers to decorate Marrickville Town Hall.
“Similar scenes can be witnessed across Sydney and as far a field as Katoomba and Coffs Harbour.
"In Cowper on the mid-North coast there are at least 20 cars towing boats, which are covered in signs warning against voting for the Greens and Labor.
“Liberal Malcolm Turnbull in Wentworth has printed his posters on a green background, rejecting Liberal colours and smothering all the booths.
“In Bennelong the Liberals are out in force, dressed in green shirts with ‘Green Army’ on the front.
“They are handing out flyers with a picture of Bob Brown noting he doesn’t like preference deals. On the back they contrast the ALP and Liberal’s record on the environment, putting the Liberals on top.", said Ms Rhiannon.
Contact: Lee Rhiannon 0432 332 104
]]>Lee Rhiannon
]]>“We can expect more Green shoots emerging in NSW after the state election, with seats such as Marrickville and Balmain now well within reach.
“For the fourth federal election in a row we have increased our vote in NSW, enjoying a swing of almost 2 percent in the House of Representatives.
“The swing to the Greens across the nation is around 3.6 per cent, taking our primary vote to 11.43 per cent.
“With Adam Bandt elected to Melbourne and new Senators in South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and NSW, the Greens have doubled our representation in Canberra from five to ten.
“Our vote has increased in almost all 48 NSW lower house seats.
“The standout result is in Sydney and Grayndler. Grayndler picked up 25.4 percent, with a nearly 7 percent swing and Sydney 23.7 percent with a 2.7 percent swing.
“In the Western suburbs seat of Werriwa we experienced an encouraging swing of 8.6 percent, to bring our vote to 12.3 percent. In Wentworth we are on 17.8, Mackellar 16.4, Bradfield 16.3, Warringah 15.8, Newcastle 15.5 and in the bell-weather seat of Eden-Monaro 9.2.
“The vote shows NSW is looking for a renewed style of political engagement, a progressive voice and climate action.
“My priorities as a NSW Greens Senator will be working with my colleagues for real action on climate change, justice for refugees, increased resources for public education, electoral funding reform and much more,” Ms Rhiannon said.
Contact: Lee Rhiannon 0427 861 568
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