I am proud to be a candidate for the ACT Greens.

We believe that to build a vibrant future for the ACT, the Legislative Assembly needs members who are committed to responsible government, a fair and just society, and economic and environmental sustainability. These are the principles upon which the Greens are founded.

In 2008 we face high housing costs, housing stress for many households, homelessness, increasing grocery, utility and fuel prices, and the impacts of climate change that will be felt by many in our community and especially the disadvantaged and vulnerable. The ACT Greens will work hard in the Assembly on measures to not only meet these challenges, but to produce a thriving community and a secure future in the process.

This years ACT election is critical if we are to restore a community voice and balance back in our local parliament.  The last 4 years of majority government has resulted in a lack of scrutiny and the people of Canberra deserve better, much better.  The ACT Greens are the credible alternative to the major parties and are the party that can and will provide third party insurance.

I have to say that this is shaping up to be a very interesting election.  Every time I turn around there is yet another candidate popping up. It is getting very crowded out there! Unfortunately many of these candidates are saying that the ACT Assembly should be simply about roads, rates and rubbish and forget the other issues, services and systems that impact on and relate to our everyday lives.  We’ve got news for them the assembly is not a local council simply looking after municipal services it is the parliament of the ACT that as well as looking after these important issues has responsibility for ensuring we have a comprehensive health system with services from the hospital to childhood immunisations, that provides aged care facilities for our frail, that runs an education system ensuring that our children, young people and mature age students have access to the vital education and training they need to reach their potential,  that runs a justice system including a police force, courts and prisons that supports safety and fairness in our community, that ensures public housing provision so that many do not remain homeless, and child protection services that intervene to support families in stress and make sure our young are protected.

These are major and complex areas and therefore the ACT cannot afford to have candidates who say hey I’m a nice person I have no policies just some ideas on some sort of direction I might take or hey my policies are focussed on roads rates and rubbish forget the other things they are not as important Vote for me – just trust me.  Hmmmmm.

I think the voters of Canberra want far more substance. There are too many serious issues that face us as a community and they need serious attention and solutions.  We have a comprehensive list of policies covering issues such as the environment, business, education, health and housing, older people, transport, carers and the list goes on.  We are ready to tackle the challenges ahead.

It’s a great time to be a Green. With 15 state parliamentarians and more than 100 local government representatives, more and more Australians are voting for the Greens. Just last weekend the Greens achieved a uniform vote of 11.6% vote in WA and almost won the seat of Fremantle from a minister in the state government. In South Australia we came close to winning the safe Liberal seat of Mayo picking up more than a 10% swing. In the Northern Territory elections we achieved our best result ever.

And at the 2007 federal election more than one in five Canberrans voted for Kerrie Tucker in the Senate making the ACT the Greenest place in Australia
In the same election across Australia more than a million people voted for the Greens and we now have 5 senators sharing the balance of power in the new Senate. So the Greens truly are the third force in Australian politics. And here in the ACT we have been the third force in the Assembly for the past 13 years.

On October 18 we have a great chance to elect more Greens to the ACT Assembly and secure a green and sustainable future for this wonderful territory we live in.

Thank you.

The ACT Greens and Queanbeyan-Monaro Greens today called for better cross-border coordination to deliver improved public transport services for Canberra and Queanbeyan City.

Greens lead candidate for Queanbeyan City Council, Katrina Willis, said neither Queanbeyan nor Canberra could deliver integrated and sustainable transport services until both cities worked more closely together on planning, infrastructure and service delivery.

“Around 65 per cent of Queanbeyan City workers commute to the ACT while 40 per cent of ACT workers commute to Queanbeyan City. Yet each city’s public transport services operate as if the other city doesn’t exist,” Ms Willis said.

“Transit lanes for buses and cars carrying more than one person during peak travel time along main roads connecting the two cities would go a long way towards making public transport an efficient and reliable option for people and reduce traffic congestion.”

ACT Greens candidate for Ginninderra, Meredith Hunter, said closer transport cooperation was critical given the projected population growth for both cities.

“Even though we are in a different state and territory, we live side-by-side and should be working together to give people the option of leaving the car at home as well as helping to address climate change,” Ms Hunter said.

“Transit lanes are a viable option that can be introduced quickly to deliver immediate benefits while we work to deliver long-term alternatives like light rail and more extensive bus networks.

“The Greens will make improved transport cooperation a priority for the ACT Legislative Assembly and Queanbeyan City Council.” Mrs Hunter Said

ACT Greens lead candidate for Ginninderra, Meredith Hunter, has called for a dedicated Legal Service for the homeless of the ACT.

“The current rate of homelessness in the ACT is unacceptable and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.” Mrs Hunter said today.

“I want to see ACT Government funding, together with a contribution from some local law firms to set up a free legal service catered to Canberra’s homeless.

“Similar legal services have been established in NSW, Victoria and Queensland and have proven to be effective in addressing legal issues promptly and thereby playing a role in assisting to break the cycle of homelessness.

“Homeless people often face multiple legal issues that can go unaddressed, hindering their prospects of getting back on their feet.

“I agree with Kevin Rudd that this issue is ‘A National shame’, but his colleagues in the ACT Government perhaps don’t realise that this also applies to Canberra and that there are things that must be done on a local level.” Mrs Hunter Said