Posts Tagged ‘election’

Low emission slow admission

Tuesday, August 19th, 2008

The ACT Government’s Duties Amendment Bill 2008 (No 2) to be debated in the Assembly today is no surprise to ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey.

“ I note that today we will be debating stamp duty concessions for low emission cars. A Greens initiative that was rejected by the Stanhope Government in 2006″ Dr Foskey said today.

“At the time I suggested that this Government might reintroduce the idea and claim it as its own just before the next election.”

“I was right.”

“I’m just a bit disappointed that cheaper registration costs for low emission new cars was not included in the plan, despite even Prime Minister Rudd signaling his support.”

“Well perhaps we need more elections so that the Labor Party starts to make progress on facing up to climate change, and shows it is prepared to follow good advice, wherever it comes from.”

“A couple of other Greens initiatives that the Government might now – with an election impending – put into place would be a green waste scheme and recycling in Civic.”

“On a broader front, perhaps the ACT Government will also finally

  • Commit to assessing all its policies in terms of Climate Change,
  • Set up an Energy Commission (just like it set up a Skills Commission) to plan for less rather than more fossil fuel use, and
  • turn transport policy around so that it is weighted favour of public transport over roads.”

” There is a lot to be done in terms of lightening our footprint on this planet, and the ACT could easily be leading Australia rather than dragging its heels” Dr Foskey said.

Territory Greens surge in Poll

Monday, August 11th, 2008

As reports emerge that political parties in the ACT have undertaking phone polling over the weekend, the Northern Territory Greens have recorded their highest ever vote in the election over the weekend.

Election night figures show the Greens in the NT have recorded an average 15.9% across the seats they contested.

Highlights in specific seats include: -Nightcliff: Emma Young polled a stunning 23.6%, up from 15.7% in 2005 and the highest Greens primary vote ever in the NT -Braitling: a seat contested for the first time, Greens Jane Clark outpolled Labor by 3.5%, winning 14.8% of the primary vote to Labor’s 11%, coming second on the primary vote count to the CLP. This is the first time the Greens have outpolled Labor in an NT election. -Greatorex: Lenny Aronsten polled 18.4%, just 1% behind the ALP candidate -Port Darwin: another seat contested for the first time, Gary Abbott campaigned on protecting Darwin Harbour and polled a strong 15.6% -Araluen: Linda Chellew polled 13.5% just behind ALP government staffer John Gaynor (up from 9.5% in 2005)

“These results demonstrate the continued rise of the Greens in Australian politics,” Greens candidate for Molonglo Shane Rattenbury said today.

“It also demonstrates the Greens are a credible alternative to the two old parties, as voters increasingly embrace the policies and energy of the Greens.”

“This result underlines the prospect of a strong performance by the Greens in the ACT election in less than 10 weeks.” concluded Rattenbury.