portsea beach, more like an ocean beach

Follow this link to look at the video made out at Portsea Beach last week with Greens MP, Sue Pennicuik and candidate for Nepean, Anton Vigenser.

A six point plan for better Public Transport

Samantha Dunn – Upper House candidate for Eastern Victoria
29 October 2010

“People on the fringe and in regional Victoria are sick and tired of a failing public transport system, this issue comes up time and time again out on the campaign trail, “said Samantha Dunn, Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria at the launch of the Greens Six Point Plan to Fix Public Transport.

“It is the Greens who are strongly committed to fast, frequent, well connected, safe and accessible public transport for Victoria. A key step in achieving that is the establishment of an independent and accountable Public Transport Authority,” Samantha said.

“There’s a myriad of agencies connected to the provision of public transport, The Greens would abolish these bureaucracies and transfer their powers and funding, but not necessarily their staff, to the new Public Transport Authority.”

Under the Greens plan urgent problems needing immediate action would be tackled, buses, rail, myki and a future growth taskforce all in the mix.

V/Line was taken back into public hands in 2003. Until recently, it operated in limbo, as the Bracks and Brumby governments tried to devise a way to reprivatise it. As a result, there has been little long-term planning. It needs reform, rather than wholesale replacement.

“There needs to be a concerted effort to integrate our regional transport and devise an integrated rail-bus network connecting regional Victorians to local, inter-regional and Melbourne destinations. This includes a staged program for track duplications, electrification and standardisation to allow for additional services across regional Victoria,” Samantha concluded.

The Greens Six Point Plan to Fix Public Transport:
1. End the failed privatisation experiment
2. Establish a powerful, accountable public transport authority
3. Fixing urgent problems
4. Make public transport safe
5. Extend rail and tram systems
6. Integrated public transport for regional Victoria

For the detailed plan click here.

that's not a beach, it's an embankment

Samantha Dunn - candidate for Eastern Victoria

Anton Vigenser - candidate for Nepean

28 October 2010

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

..

.

Samantha Dunn and Anton Vigenser, the swells now being experiences at Portsea beach have turned it into an ocean beach, I wouldn't let my young son in the water here anymore.

.

“Recent erosion at Portsea Beach demands serious study by Government and the Port of Melbourne Corporation,” says Anton Vigenser, Greens candidate for Nepean.

“The beach is now looking worse than when the erosion began. The area has become a construction zone with all the associated rubbish. Wire, plastic and materials that can cause harm to marine wildlife are lying on the beach. With summer one month away the pressure to ‘fix’ the beach is mounting. Corners cannot be cut.”

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

,

Portsea beach has changed from a beautiful bay beach to a man made construction zone, no longer a beach in the true sense, it's more like an embankment.

.

Greens Candidate for Eastern Victoria, Samantha Dunn said “The changes are recent and aren't because of seasonal storms, locals report to me we’ve seen our beach and the bay change before our very eyes.”

“Locals and tourists are gob-smacked. Our once natural beach is now fast becoming ‘man-made’. Many are seriously worried about the scale and planning behind the earth works, and doubt it will even work,” Anton Vigenser said.

“Sue Pennicuik, Greens upper house MP released a report which analysed tidal data from the Port of Melbourne and the research supports what so many residents, swimmers, divers and other businesses in the southern part of part Phillip Bay have been reporting since channel deepening: that tides are higher in the south of the Bay.”

“Despite this, the Port Authority still denies any links, pointing the finger solely at weather. Preliminary analysis of wind data from the past ten years suggests that wind beach erosion, particularly at Portsea was not caused by seasonal weather events alone.”

“A lack of evidence is not a reason to dismiss the erosion. The government was warned by scientists at the time. The government picked and chose what to use in the Environmental Effects Statement. Now our beaches are under increased threat.”

“The surging swells at Portsea have impacted our tourism industry, and will make it less safe for swimming this summer. Swell will also be the greatest problem to overcome when attempting to fix our beach,” Anton Vigenser said, “This is a burden that has cost our community more than just money.”

“We desperately need more data about tides, swells, currents and weather events,to know for certain what is happening,” said Samantha Dunn , “The tragedy is the five metres of sea bed and rock can't be replaced at the entrance and Port Phillip Bay and Portsea Front Beach may be permanently damaged".

samantha in the press - public transport

Ticket to ride
Upper Yarra and Mountain Views Mail
by Kath Gannaway
26 Oct 2010

it's got to stop joe

Earlier this week I joined with community members outside the offices of Joe Helper, Minister for Agriculture and in charge of VicForests, to protest to the ongoing logging in the Central Highlands, I was there representing the Shire of Yarra Ranges (I am a councillor there).

The Shire of Yarra Ranges council is opposed to the logging of Melbourne's water catchments and is also opposed to logging where it has significant effects on the local economy, tourism features and the environment. Thanks to Brent Lukey for the image.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The protest was to highlight the ongoing destruction caused by logging burnt and green forests in the Central Highlands, an already fragile environment due to the Black Saturday fires.

Much wood has been logged after the fires, causing untold damage to the forest. Local residents angry about the constant stream of logging trucks on roads, angry about logging on prominent ridgelines in tourist towns and angry that the forests haven't been given a chance to regenerate naturally.

Thanks to Brent Lukey for this image.

Logging has also occurred in the Armstrong Catchment, one of Melbourne's closed water catchments, contrary to the advice given in the BAER report (a report from experts about how to best to deal with environmental impacts post fire).

Huw Slater, Greens candidate for Seymour, was there too.

The BAER report urged conservation action for a number of endangered species at risk, warned against salvage logging and also stated that no more than 236 hectares of burnt forest should be salvage logged. Contrary to this advice the government allowed more than 10 times this amount of forest to be logged setting our endangered species on a short trail to extinction.

The Greens want to see an end to industrial scale logging of our native forests. The role the forests play in securing water, storing carbon and maintaining a healthy biodiversity is far more critical than logging the forests for woodchips.

It was good to see today that the CFMEU agrees that there needs to be transition out of native forests and in to plantations. Plantation timbers can supply our timber needs and the Greens support a proper transition to assist those workers, their families and communities to move from native forest logging to plantation timber.

a public transport plan for the east

I joined with Greg Barber MLC, Greens spokesperson for Public Transport, and Damian Magner, Greens candidate for Eastern Metropolitan to launch the Greens Public Transport Plan for the East of Melbourne at a mock station in Doncaster.

Pictured left to right: Samantha Dunn - Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria, Greg Barber MLC - Greens spokesperson for Public Transport and Damian Magner - Greens candidate for Eastern Metropolitan. It's a disgrace that commuters in the outer east have to wait 30 minutes for train services and up to an hour for connecting bus services, The Greens are committed to fast, frequent, well connected, safe and accesible public transport.

It was a fitting place for the launch, at the old council offices, built in 1892, sited there as it would be right on the railway line, the people of Doncaster have been waiting for their railway line ever since.

Initiatives in the plan that specifically cover Eastern Victoria include:
>Duplication of the single track sections of the Lilydale and Belgrave Lines (the Belgrave line will be limited to Upper Ferntree Gully due to significant topograhical constraints and environmental impacts)
>Triplication of the Box Hill to Ringwood line - this will allow more express services to Lilydale and Belgrave
>A new train station at Hull & Mooroolbark Rds on the Lilydale line
>Implementation of all of the recommendations of the Bus Service Review
>Ensuring all vehicles and stations are fully accessible to all
>Establishing a Public Transport Authority to plan, manage and integrate all public transport services across Victoria

If you'd like to know more about the Greens Public Transport Plan for the East, click here.

Public transport neglect

Samantha Dunn – Upper House candidate for Eastern Victoria
20 October 2010



















“It is scandalous that commuters in the East have to wait 30 to 40 minutes in the off peak time for a train and in some cases over an hour for a connecting bus service, this shambolic service has enormous impact on the quality of life for residents in the outer east, “said Samantha Dunn, Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria, at the Eastern Transport Coalition Public Transport Forum held in Mooroolbark.

“It is the Greens who are strongly committed to fast, frequent, well connected, safe and accessible public transport for the East. It’s important that duplication to single track sections of the Lilydale and Belgrave lines are completed and that rail crossings are removed as they impact on the smooth running of frequent rail services,” Samantha said.

“The Greens support raising basic minimum standards for frequency and span of hours for all bus routes, not just those close to the city.”

“We see considerable inequities in public transport ticketing with the Country Fare along the Upper Yarra corridor, the Greens believe in fair and equitable access to public transport and will work to abolish this inequity for these communities.”

“Public transport should be integrated, buses should meet trains, even simple things like header boards at Belgrave and Lilydale station so the bus drivers know which train is arriving. It’s difficult for them to tell with train delays which train is actually arriving and which passengers they’re supposed to be connecting with.”

“The Greens do have a well considered plan for the people of the East, we know that it is important to get our public transport system working well to respond to the challenges of an aging population, peak oil and climate change. We aren’t wedded to the fossil fuel lobby, cars and freeways as a solution.”

samantha in the press - logging

Timber industry worried they will become a bargaining chip
ABC Gippsland
by Cath McAloon
20 Oct 2010

samantha visits stratford

I was great to join with Greens candidate for South Gippsland, Kate Jackson, at Earthfest in Stratford. People came from near and far to learn more about sustainability and land management.

The Greens had a stand there, locals were keen to chat about our policies and were pleased to see election candidates visit their area.

It was great to see waterways full and pastures lush, it's a great part of Victoria and plays a key role in our agricultural production.

greens commit to ringwood station upgrade

It was terrific to hear Greens candidates commit to the upgrade of the Ringwood Station at a public transport candidate forum this week.

Ringwood Station is well overdue for an upgrade, it's ramps don't comply with DDA requirements making it near impossible for people with a disability to negotiate the station with dignity.

Pictured left to right: Damian Magner - Greens Candidate for Eastern Metropolitan, Samantha Dunn - Greens Candidate for Eastern Victoria, Cr Alex Makin - Mayor, City of Maroondah and Margaret Stephens - long time community advocate for accessible public transport with the missing piece of the public transport jigsaw in Ringwood.


The functionality and accessibility of Ringwood station plays a key role in enhancing travel along the Lilydale and Belgrave lines as it is a key interchange station between to two lines

The Greens are committed to a fast, frequent and well connected public transport system. Accessible, safe and fully staffed railway stations play a key role in that.

Upon hearing the announcement, Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin said, "I am absolutely delighted The Greens have pledged their support to transform Ringwood Station into an accessible, safe and integrated public transport hub."

Time to put real funding towards mental health

Samantha Dunn – Upper House candidate for Eastern Victoria
13 October 2010

Almost half the population will experience a mental health disorder at some time in their life, but the funding to address this critically important area is totally inadequate according to Samantha Dunn, Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria after attending a Mental Health Week event in Lilydale.

“We know that up to 50% of substance abuse problems in young people are preceded by mental illness, we need to break the cycle, invest in the future of our society and start to put some badly needed resources into mental health services.”

Only around one third of people with a mental illness use health services for their mental health problem.

“We need a significant boost in the mental health budget with a focus on community prevention, recovery centres and early intervention programs,” said Samantha.

“The Greens will prioritise badly needed early intervention services as advocated by Australian of the Year, Professor Patrick McGorry, ” concluded Samantha

harnessing a proud past to build a sustainable future

Samantha Dunn – Upper House candidate for Eastern Victoria
10 October 2010

“The Latrobe Valley has a proud tradition of delivering reliable energy supply to Victorians. The Greens want to build on that tradition and take it forward to meet the challenges posed by climate change and embrace opportunities and benefits for the Valley and the rest of Victoria,” said Samantha Dunn, Greens Upper House Candidate for Eastern Victoria at a community action outside Hazelwood Power Station today.

Samantha Dunn marching towards Hazelwood Power Station to deliver a statement provided by Greens Senator, Christine Milne.

People from across Victoria came to Hazelwood today in support of change. “We know there must be a transition from coal fired power to renewable energy, our focus must be on zero emissions and we only have a few decades to achieve that,” said Samantha.

Other Greens candidates were there, pictured here from left to right are: Janet Rice - Footscray, Nick Carson - Doncaster, Samantha Dunn - Eastern Victoria and James Earle - Eltham.

“The fundamental driver to change is achieving real targets that will reverse our ever increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The Greens are committed to targets that will drive changes and improvements across our economy to
protect the planet from irreversible damage. We want to see a 40% reduction of emissions by 2020 and zero emissions by 2050.”

Part of the day included a "human solar array", concentrated solar thermal is currently providing base load energy in other countries.

“It is the Greens who have the political will to secure a sustainable and just future for all Victorians. It is the Greens who are committed to workers and their families and we bring that proud record to the Latrobe Valley. Together, we can change and improve Victoria’s energy industry for the benefitof the Valley and all Victorians,” concluded Samantha.

desalination will cost us dearly

Samantha Dunn – Upper House candidate for Eastern Victoria
Neil Rankine – Lower House candidate for Bass

“The only time the true price of desal water will be revealed to Melburnians, is when it arrives on their bills,” said Greens upper house candidate Samantha Dunn as she joined with Neil Rankine, candidate for Bass on the steps of parliament at Watershed Victoria's, 'Scrap the Desal' rally. “Only then will Victorians realise they’ve been duped by Brumby and his Ministers into believing the desalination plant is the answer to Melbourne’s water woes”, said Samantha.














Samantha Dunn and Neil Rankine at the Scrap the Desal Rally on the steps on parliament.

The Greens know there are much better options for securing water for Melbourne, it rains more in Melbourne than what Melburnians consume. A recent 2007 study found “rainwater tanks are five times more energy efficient than desalination plants. Most Australian houses are suitable for a rainwater tanks and in Melbourne 72% of existing houses have potential for a rainwater tank whilst fewer than 6% of the houses in Melbourne have water tanks.”



















From left to right: Sue Pennicuik - Greens MLC for Southern Metropolitan, Samantha Dunn - Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria, Greg Barber - Greens MLC for Northern Metropolitan and Neil Rankine - Greens candidate for Bass.

“People are starting to realise that the government is making us pay dearly for fresh water, produced in the most expensive and carbon intense way, only to have it flushed down our toilets. There is more than enough recycled water available to flush every toilet in Melbourne and run most businesses, but at the moment this precious resource is being flushed out to sea”, said Mr Rankine.

The Greens have a sensible water policy to secure Melbourne’s future water supply. Water conservation, re-use and recycling should be prioritised over energy and capital-intensive strategies such as seawater desalination or long-distance pumping. It is possible for our cities and towns to use a diverse range of water sources including tanks, urban storm water and recycled wastewater, to achieve water supply security and waterway health.

“We can pay out the Brumby government's contracts with the desalination consortium, secure our water supplies and still be better off, according to Kenneth Davidson, former economics editor for The Age newspaper. Water supplies can be secured from recycling already underway and from stormwater harvesting projects as upgrades to Melbourne's stormwater infrastructure is undertaken”, said Mr Rankine.

The desalination plant will create 1.2million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions during operation. It will generate an additional 70,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing waste from the plant. It will intake 380,000 small marine organisms per second whilst discharging 8,800 litres of brine per second.

“Not only is this an economic disaster for the family budget it is an environmental disaster for Victoria’s coastline,” said Samantha.

“The desalination plant will cost tax payers dearly. Not only in a $5.1 billion construction bill and escalating water costs. It will dump 50,000 tonnes of toxic waste every year and secure big profits for overseas companies - why would we want it?” concluded Samantha.

samantha in the press - fire preparedness

Warning Call
Mail Newspapers
by Casey Neill
5 Oct 2010

early warning systems

Earlier this week I went to a meeting organised by hills group, the Dandenong Ranges Community Bushfire Group, who were demonstrating the latest Early Warning System technologies.

The Group are looking for support for this infrastructure to be installed in the Dandenong Ranges. The system demonstrated is different to a typical siren system as it is voice enabled and runs via internet protocols.

The Early Warning System technology is an important part of the bushfire response, the government needs to work swiftly to investigate these modern alerting applications. We need to give fire prone communities as many options as we can to response to bushfire and Early Warning Systems are one of the tools available in response to an emergency.

The Greens support the introduction of Early Warning Systems and recognise the important role they play in assisting our communities.

samantha in the press - public transport

Has Brumby short-changed commuters on the Lilydale line?
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
15 Sep 10

samantha in the press – public transport

Party plans for better train links

Leader Newspapers

by Kimberley Seedy

8 Sep 2010

Click on image for story

buses and trains should meet

The Greens will establish a task force to coordinate bus timetables with trains and trams.

A recent study by the Public Transport Users Association shows the average wait between train and bus connections is between 11 and 20 minutes, however in the outer areas of Melbourne commuters know it can be as long as 60 minutes.

One of the easiest ways to speed up travel times is to tackle the disconnect between buses and trains, this would also relieve pressure on suburban railway car parking which is becoming a big problem across the region.

At the moment nobody has the job to coordinate between the trains and buses and there's no solution in sight. The Greens would establish a task force with access to the right tools and international expertise.

Long waits at stations make people feel unsafe and parents are also concerned about their teenagers waiting around for bus/train connections for long periods of time. Under the Greens plan the bus driver would be waiting for commuters as they get off the train.

At the coming state election, The Greens will seek a mandate to fix public transport, across Melbourne and across Victoria. We will create a powerful and accountable Public Transport Authority to plan, manage and integrate all public transport services across Victoria, it is long overdue.

sustainable living celebrated in morwell

Last night I attended the Sustainable Living Celebration at Kernot Hall in Morwell. Locals from around Gippsland came together to hear and tell stories of sustainability, looking back at what's happened in the last year whilst looking forward to what's possible in the future.

It was terrific to talk to community members about their local groups and actions, there's certainly a great deal of enthusiasm for a more sustainable future in Gippsland. Of key importance was the development of a sustainability hub for Gippsland which would provide local economic stimulus and create new green jobs for the valley.

I look forward to talking more to locals in Gippsland as part of campaigning for the upcoming state election. They look forward to a healthy and sustainable future and that's what the Greens can deliver.

greens victory

What a terrific election result for the Greens.






















Me with Adam Bandt at campaign HQ in Fitzroy.

Congratulations to Adam Bandt, our first Green to win a seat in the House of Representatives in a General Election and to Dr Richard di Natale, Victoria’s first Greens Senator.





















Me campaigning in Warburton with Dr Richard di Natale last week.

You will do us proud and help to make this country a forward thinking, compassionate and progressive place to live.

preferences explained - make your vote work for you

Top 10 Reasons to Vote Green this Saturday

1. The Greens stand up for what’s right, not just what’s easy. Whether it’s protecting the environment, introducing universal dental care, opposing the war in Iraq or advocating for refugees to be treated humanely, the Greens are driven by values, not polls.

2. It’s the Party everyone’s heading to. The Greens are the third largest political party in Australia, with five national Senators, 22 State MPs and more than 100 local Greens councillors already playing a positive and constructive role across Australia. More than a million Australians voted Green in 2007, and we're the fastest-growing party in the country.

3. Break the deadlock in the Senate between the Government and the Opposition. Last time the Government of the day also got control of the Senate, we got WorkChoices. Or, Tony Abbott's Coalition could easily win control of the Senate, which would deliver Australians nothing but three years of deadlock. We deserve a Senate that will work for us and deliver strong, sensible action – not just spin.

4. Provide future generations with clean air, clean water and a stable climate. The Greens will tackle climate change by putting a price on carbon for big polluters in the next term of government. It’s time we created new clean energy jobs and started investing in the economy of the future.

5. Make legislation better. When the Coalition tried to block the stimulus package that kept Australia out of recession, the Greens passed it with added environmental and small business benefits. The Greens will do the same thing to improve the mining super profits tax.

6. The Greens have vision. When Bob Brown first spoke to the Senate about climate change 14 years ago, his Labor and Liberal colleagues actually laughed at him. Now the Greens are the only party working to end all forms of legal discrimination against Australians based on sexuality. The Greens focus on what’s right for the next generation, not just the next election cycle.

7. An environmental party. The Greens have always worked to protect Australia’s magnificent natural environment for future generations – whether that’s protecting our native forests and their wildlife, or our pristine beaches and marine ecosystems.

8. An environmental party and much, much more. The Greens stand for much more than just cutting carbon pollution, securing our water supplies and protecting our environment. Think better public schools, more funding for hospitals and fixing our broken mental health system. The Greens also drive great new ideas, like building high-speed rail between Australia’s major cities, which is now gaining momentum but would never have gotten up otherwise.

9. For a more powerful vote. Another Labor or Liberal candidate will just vote the way they’re told. With the Greens, every vote is a conscience vote. If you’re disappointed with Labor but don’t want Tony Abbott, you can send a powerful message to Julia Gillard. And if your Greens candidate doesn’t win, your vote will simply go to the next candidate of your choice at full value.

10. Bob Brown. A genuinely decent politician and the most experienced party leader in Parliament.

Together, we can let everyone know that this Saturday, the voters of Australia do have a choice, and who we vote for matters.

green loans assessors left high and dry by both labor and libs

Green Loans Assessors, who should be the backbone of a whole new energy efficiency industry, have been left high and dry by both Labor and theLiberals in the election campaign.

The Greens recognise that energy efficiency is the fastest and cheapest way to reduce greenhouse emissions, reduce energy bills and improve the liveability of our homes, offices, schools and hospitals and strongly support the expansion of the sustainability assessment industry.

"The Greens are inspired by the thousands of Australians who have chosen to build small businesses to help others reduce their energy bills and their impact on the climate," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, SenatorChristine Milne, said.

"But both Labor and the Liberals have left this incredibly prospective industry high and dry.

"The Green Loans program promised by Labor before the last election wasa great idea that was mismanaged to the point of collapse.

"Now assessors, including 67 Tasmanians, face an uncertain future, with question marks hanging over the program's proposed replacement, GreenStart.

"I called last week for the government to extend the deadline for tenders from this Friday out to after the election, to at least give assessors more flexibility before making a decision about the future of their businesses. We have had absolutely no response.

"Meanwhile, the Liberal Party has confirmed that it will not support Green Start and has provided no answers on the future of any similar programs.

"While I welcome the Liberals' offer of compensation to assessors who have been left out of pocket, I cannot understand why Greg Hunt is doing nothing to ensure these generous Australians have jobs into the future.

"The Greens have proposed an array of programs to drive energy efficiency upgrades in homes, offices, schools, hospitals and industry across Australia.

"These programs will provide great employment opportunities for assessors who want to stay in the industry and expand their skills. We know from surveys conducted by the Association of Building Sustainability Assessors that the great majority in the sector want to stay in it, even though they have been treated so poorly by thegovernment and opposition.

"The clear choice for Australians who want to see energy efficiencygiven the priority it deserves, and who want to see jobs growth in building a zero emissions economy, is to vote 1 Greens on Saturday."

a week on the campaign trail

A busy week on the campaign trail, my week started in Gippsland with Senator Sarah Hanson Young, Greens candidate for the Senate Dr Richard di Natale, Michael Bond candidate for Gippsland and Dr Malcolm McKelvie candidate for McMillan. Richard was there to announce the Clean Energy Plan, whilst Sarah was there to announce the Greens policy on Student Income Support.

.

.

...

.

Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on Education, says the current compromise scheme which passed through Federal Parliament earlier this year was far from perfect and has created an unfair system that doles out or denies assistance with no real reference to students' needs.

.

"We know many students in regional areas have missed out on access to the full rate of Youth Allowance under the new scheme,'' Senator Hanson-Young said. "For example in Yarram in Victoria, students who go to the same school and live across the road from each other get help or miss out depending on which side of the road they are on."

The week also saw a fundraiser for the Greens Casey and Latrobe campaigns at Earthly Pleasures Organic Cafe in Belgrave.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Jim and Brendan compare campaign notes.

.

.

Supporters came out to hear from our candidates, Jim Reiher (Latrobe) and Brendan Powell (Casey) who talked about the importance of campaigning to assist Dr Richard di Natale for a seat in the senate.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

No fundraiser is complete without a raffle, here I'm supported by Jim and Brendan for the barrel draw. If you'd like to buy your own Greens t-shirt or other Greens merchandise to support the campaign visit http://vic.greens.org.au/shop.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

On Thursday Jon Faine visited McEwen, the country's most marginal seat held by the Liberals by 31 votes, to talk to candidates from the Greens, Labor and Liberal.

Many people expressed concerns about logging in the local Healesville region. .

.

I spoke about the lack of emphasis on climate change from Liberal and Labor and that many in my community were telling me this was a key issue for them. Thanks to Brent Lukey for the photo.

.

.

Thursday was also a celebration of the momentous Brown Mountain decision. The Supreme Court upheld the injunction of logging of Brown Mountain where Justice Robert Osborn held that the detection of long-footed potoroos and other endangered species meant that steps must be taken to protect their habitat.

.
.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

It was a landmark decision for the environment, I gathered with Environment East Gippsland campaigners on the steps of Parliament to ask Minister for the Environment, Gavin Jennings, to respond to the Supreme Court decision.

Here I am pictured with Colleen Hartland (Greens MLC for Western Metropolitan), Michael Bond (Greens candidate for Gippsland) and Greg Barber (Greens MLC for Northern Metropolitan). The Brown Mountain decision is a great victory for those endangered species threatened by logging activities in Victoria.

.

Thursday also saw a Meet the Candidates Q&A for Latrobe. Curiously the candidate for the Australian Sex Party wasn't allowed to join the panel even though he was there, the Liberal incumbent Jason Wood didn't attend, which left Greens candidate Jim Reiher and the Labor candidate to talk policies whilst attendees were treated to thought provoking commentary by panel members Karen Alexander (Landcare) and Kenneth Davidson (Dissent).

.

Jim Reiher discusses Greens policies to locals gathered at the Upwey Hall. If you'd like to know more about the full range Greens federal policies click here.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Locals came out in force on a chilly Thursday night to hear the policy views of candidates.

.

Sunday saw senate candidate, Dr Richard di Natale, visit Warburton in the seat of McEwen to talk to locals about the potential for their town to have a major tourist attraction like the Otway Fly in the region.

.

.
.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Locals were keen to quiz Richard about a full range of Greens policies.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Greens candidate for McEwen, Steve Meacher joined Dr Richard di Natale and me to talk to locals. It was a cold misty day in Warburton, but people were keen to talk to the Greens about the upcoming election.

.

If you'd like to follow the campaign in its final stages visit the Victorian Greens website here.

greens will use senate to ensure workplace fairness

The Australia Greens have voiced serious concerns that a Coalition Government would bow to pressure from big business to make unfair changes to Australia's workplace laws.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens IR spokesperson, notes media reports today have highlighted how changes to industrial relations could be made without altering the Fair Work Act, risking the job security and employment conditions of many Australian workers.

"It is clear, as Professor Stewart is reported as saying today, Mr Abbott can make significant change to workplace laws, without actually changing the Fair Work Act," Senator Siewert said.

"Mr Abbott can use regulations to make unfair dismissal easier for small business or allow overtime and penalty rates to be abolished, without needing to do anything to the Fair Work Act.

"If these measures came before the Senate, the Australian Greens would act to protect the rights of workers across the country.

"The Greens have a proven track record in this area. We strongly opposed Work Choices when the Howard Government dominated the House of Representatives and the Senate, and we helped the Rudd Government introduce the Fair Work Act after the last election.

"We're committed to improving the Fair Work Act, not regressing to the bad industrial relations regime of the last Coalition Government. Thousands of Australians are more secure in their jobs today than they were under Work Choices.

"The Greens in the balance of power is the only protection against these retrograde steps," Senator Siewert said.

academy of sciences climate report exposes farce of 5% target while gillard fails to mention climate change

The Science of Climate Change report released by the Australian Academy of Sciences today shows once again that both Labor and the Coalition must significantly lift their patently inadequate 5% emissions reduction targets.

The report comes as Prime Minister Gillard failed to mention climate change in her campaign launch speech today.

"Delay and denial on the climate crisis is simply unacceptable in the light of ever clearer scientific evidence," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

"Prime Minister Gillard and Tony Abbott are completely out of step with the scientists, with economists and with the community - it's time for them to catch up.

"The fact that the Prime Minister failed to mention the climate crisis in her campaign launch speech today speaks volumes for how seriously it is being taken by the old parties.

"Both Labor and the Coalition must lift their sights to science-based emissions reduction targets, support the Greens' call for an immediate effective carbon price, protect our forest carbon stores and start planning for a complete transformation to zero emissions.

"The Academy of Sciences report released today outlines settled science and confirms what the natural world is already telling us.

"From fires and drought in Russia to the horrendous tragedy of the flooding in Pakistan and Niger to the 260km2 island of ice that has broken off Greenland, climate change is accelerating around us.

"In now warmer Tasmanian waters, the invasive sea urchin is destroying the giant kelp beds and the rock lobster industry with them because of climate change.

"This report should put paid to any suggestion by the ALP or Coalition that they take the science seriously. If they did, they would leave their 5% target far behind them and start planning for zero emissions.

"Climate consensus was on display in the streets yesterday, as Australians demanded that the government walk with them and not with the big polluters.

"The Greens are on the side of scientists and economists who say that deep cuts in emissions and urgent action are the right scientific and economic response. Denial and delay are more expensive in human and dollar figures than the strong early action that the Greens propose.

"Whose side are Labor and the Coalition on?"

The Academy of Sciences report is available at www.science.org.au/policy/climatechange2010.html.

in the press – clean energy & youth allowance

Greens launch policy in Valley

Latrobe Valley Express

by Ebonnie Lord

12 Aug 2010

greens act for national water efficiency plan

In the Senate the Australian Greens will move to introduce national mandatory water efficiency standards for residential and commercial buildings after the federal election.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown will announce the new plan to help Australian cities plan for and cope with a water-restricted future at the sustainable 60L Building in Melbourne today with Victorian Senatec andidate Dr. Richard Di Natale.

"Despite many Australians' hard work reducing their water use, Australia still has the highest per capita water-use in the world," said SenatorBrown.

"With climate change we'll face a hotter drier future and we need a national plan to cope with the water crisis in our cities.

Greens Victorian Senate candidate Richard Di Natale said the hard work by householders to conserve water needed to be matched with better government regulation.

"Everyone who's lugged a bucket from the shower to their garden knows how stupid it is that still today new buildings are going up without basic water efficiency measures," said Dr. Di Natale.

"That's particularly important in commercial and industrial buildings where initial design makes a huge difference.

"100,000 litres per person of fresh water a year is too much. With more Greens in the Senate, we'll push for a better national system to conserve water."

The Greens new plan includes:
* Mandatory water efficiency standards for all new residential and industrial or commercial developments, including basic minimum water sensitive design features such rainwater capture, water efficient showerheads and a second pipe network for non-potable water
* Incentives and tariffs for developers to encourage better water sensitive design
* Increasing the ability of local councils to get funding for local public stormwater harvesting projects.

greens scholarships scheme to get our best and brightest into teaching

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young

The Australian Greens will tackle the ongoing teaching shortage by using a Commonwealth Scholarships Scheme to attract our best and brightest students to work in the education system, according to Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on Education, says the party's education plan is designed to make practical improvements to the system, such as investing to secure the future supply of good quality teachers to educate our children.

Teacher shortages are a real and serious concern in Australia, whether it is in particular subject areas or particular geographical areas, Senator Hanson-Young said.

As an example, reports suggest that half of NSW teachers will reach retirement age by 2016.

There's no time to waste, we need to start training up our next generations of teachers now.

That's why the Greens will set up a Commonwealth Scholarship scheme that will provide incentives to top students to become teachers, offering guaranteed work at the end of studies in return for staying in areas of need for at least three years.

The scheme would:
Provide up to 3000 scholarships a year, divided between states on a per capita basis
Make scholarships available for up to five years - at $5000 a year to allow students to finish degrees
Provide tax-free scholarships which would not effect eligibility for Youth Allowance Guarantee recipients a teaching job in a public school in an area of need,
Require recipients to remain in full-time employment in areas of need, such as public schools, for at least three years.

The Greens will also work to improve the levels of Asian language literacy in Australian schools. In 2008, less than 6 per cent of students in Australian learned an Asian language, and the figure is falling.

We will restore levels of Asian language literacy in Australian schools, by increasing funding to pre-Howard levels, establishing national leadership groups for the four Asian languages taught in schools and establishing partnerships with international institutions, Senator Hanson-Young said.

As part of the Asia-Pacific, Australia should be promoting the learning of Asian languages in schools, advocating to parents and their children the benefits of learning these languages and working to increasing the language skills and proficiency of students.

These two initiatives are examples of the Greens making sensible investments to generate better outcomes for Australians, Senator Hanson-Young said.

greens to kickstart clean energy sector

It was terrific to join with Victorian Senate candidate Dr Richard Di Natale, out in Gippsland, as he called for the implementation of a Gross National Feed-In Tariff to kick-start the renewable energy sector in regional Victoria.

Research by Access Economics and the Electrical Trades Union has shown that a gross national feed-in tariff would lead to the creation of an additional 5,400 jobs in Victoria, particularly regional Victoria, over the next ten years.

It makes good sense, it's good for the economy, good for the environment, good for regional Victoria.

Pictured left to right: Malcolm McKelvie – candidate for McMillan, Dr Richard di Natale – senate candidate for Victoria, Michael Bond – candidate for Gippsland, Sarah Hanson-Young – Greens Senator and Samantha Dunn – candidate for Eastern Victoria (state), in front of Hazelwood Power Station, the developed world's most polluting power station. Victoria's greenhouse gas emissions from power generation are continuing to grow due to our ongoing reliance on brown coal.

Over 22 thousand jobs could be created in Australia over the next 10 years in the renewables sector if we implemented a gross national feed-in tariff.

For Victoria and in particular regional Victoria, this would translate to around 5,400 extra jobs over the next 10 years.

Renewable energy employs on average 4-6 times as many people than fossil fuel energy and most of these jobs would be in regional areas.

"So far, Federal Government initiatives have failed to stimulate the market and keep solar manufacturers within Australia. Australia's last solar manufacturer left Australian shores in April 2009. There was a time when the majority of our panels were Australian-made but now all our solar panels are imported," said Greens senate candidate, Richard di Natale.

• According to a report produced by Sustainability Victoria for the Victorian Government, a gross feed-in tariff set at 40 cents per kWh with a cap of 200,000 units would lead to $2.1 billion in investment and would generate 3,000 new jobs in Victoria by 2015. This would increase retail electricity prices by just 1%, equating to an increase of 17 cents per week for Victorian electricity consumers.

• At 60 cents per kWh, a gross feed-in tariff would generate 5,400 new jobs within Victoria in the next ten years.

• According to Access Economics, "the cumulative employment in the solar industry in Australia delivered from a gross national feed-in tariff from 2010 to 2020 is just under 40,300, compared with a cumulative 17,750 under the existing set of feed-in tariff policies. This amounts to an increase of 22,550 jobs for the forecast period."

• For Victoria, employment peaks at just below 500 per annum under existing policies, whereas under a gross state feed-in tariff, employment would peak at just under 1,200 per annum. When aggregated across the period 2010 to 2020, the existing feed-in tariff and solar credits will create around 4,200 jobs in Victoria, compared with 9,600 created by the joint operation of a gross state feed-in tariff and the solar credits scheme.