The Greens today announced that high profile environmentalist Cate Faehrmann would replace NSW Upper House MP Lee Rhiannon who will resign when the federal election is called in order to stand for the Senate.

The Greens also announced that their team for the NSW Upper House in the 2011 State Election will be led by Sydney lawyer David Shoebridge, Byron Bay Mayor Jan Barham and Orange City Councillor Jeremy Buckingham.

All positions are subject to ratification by next weekend’s Greens state conference. Sitting MPs Sylvia Hale and Ian Cohen are retiring in 2011.
Returning officer Ben Raue said that an extensive ballot of all Greens members in NSW was counted yesterday and this morning. (more…)

In response to scientific testing commissioned by Friends of the Earth and released today, revealing that nanotechnology is used in beauty products sold by eight leading cosmetic brands, Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon is calling for new laws around safety testing and the mandatory labelling of products containing nanotechnology. (Sydney Morning Herald, 24 November 2009, page 5)

Testing showed nanoparticles in concealers and foundations sold by Clinique, Clarins, L’Oreal, Revlon, The Body Shop, Max Factor, Lancome Paris and By Terry.

“These new test results reveal that the big cosmetic companies are enthusiastically embracing the use of nanotechnology in their products, despite the significant potential health risks to the millions of women who use them on a daily basis,” Ms Rhiannon said. (more…)

Food Labelling Review Secretariat
Department of Health and Ageing
MDP 150
GPO Box 9848
Canberra ACT 2601

Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission on this important issue.

If this review of food labelling law and policy is genuine about considering options to (1) reduce the regulatory burden in food labelling (2) without compromising public health and safety, the Braidwood Greens believe that full and accurate labelling is essential.

In the same way that people have a right to choose whether or not they eat food containing any animal products, so should they have a right to choose whether or not they eat food containing GM organisms, or irradiated or novel foods. (more…)

An October 2008 email from a senior public servant to Minister for Water Phil Costa’s office told the Rees government that the $477 million Tillegra Dam in the Hunter near Dungog had been poorly planned and would not be needed for another 30 years, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

The email and an attached memo were uncovered in Department of Environment, Climate Changes and Water papers produced on the order of the NSW Upper House from a motion by the Greens.

Dr Kaye said: “The government’s case for building the dam has been cut down in flames by its own water expert.

“For thirteen months, Water Minister Phil Costa has been in possession of a detailed analysis by his own department that 100 per cent backs the public criticisms of the massive project. (more…)

Electricity privatisation in NSW would add yet another potent set of voices and wallets to the campaign against reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Commenting on reports of the big polluters undermining Kevin Rudd’s emissions trading scheme (‘Ad campaign aims to crush emissions trading plan’ SMH 7 November 2009), Dr Kaye said: “Just as Telstra shareholders are trying to thwart the formation of a national broadband network, privatised electricity generators and retailers will use their considerable lobbying power to destroy efforts to reduce the state’s emissions. (more…)