(councillor column for November 22 edition of Bungendore Bulletin; shorter version sent to local papers in Eden-Monaro and the Canberra Times)

The election is only days away and like most campaigns before it, this one has been dominated by the major parties, as if there were only two voting options. It would be good if we could release ourselves from the ALP/Coalition stronghold and let them know that their policies are not good enough for a just and environmentally sustainable future. Every time there’s an election, The Greens are vilified by one group or another, including the major parties. (more…)

I just want to make sure everyone understands how fortunate we are in having Senator Kerry Nettle with us today.

More to the point, how fortunate Australia has been and we, as Greens have been, in having Kerry in the Senate.

And how important it is that we have her re-elected to the Senate on 24th November. (more…)

The Greens want a clear definition of the roles of all spheres of government and realistic financing for local government to end cost shifting.

Greens candidate for Eden-Monaro, Keith Hughes, who is also a Bega Valley Shire Councillor says that local Government is not even mentioned in the Australian Constitution.

“Its role at any time is subject to the changing whims of politicians. (more…)

Greens Leader Bob Brown today said he was delighted that former US vice-president Al Gore and the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

“It’s one of the most richly deserved Nobel Peace Prizes because climate change threatens the world with social chaos and war based on loss of resources, shortage of water, sea-level rises and mass migrations of people. This recognises that climate change is threatening human peace and our economy in the next century,” Senator Brown said. (more…)

Environmental lawyer Sue Mahony will be taking on Peter Garrett on behalf of the Greens in the electorate of Kingsford Smith in the imminent federal election, NSW Greens Senator Kerry Nettle said in Coogee today.

“I am very pleased that Sue is going to be part of the Greens campaign team particularly as her work as an environmental lawyer and prosecutor stand her in great stead to cut through the spin of the major parties,” Senator Nettle said.

“I look forward to holding Peter Garrett to account over his perpetually compromised position as shadow Environment Minister”, Sue Mahony said. (more…)

The Politics of Fear
with Senator Kerry Nettle & NSW MLC John Kaye
When: 7-9pm, Monday September 17
Where: National Theatre, Braidwood
Hosted by Braidwood Greens