Jamie Parker was elected as the first Greens Mayor of Leichhardt at last night’s council meeting at Leichhardt Town Hall. Fellow Greens councillor Michele McKenzie was elected Deputy Mayor.

Councillor Parker has served on Council since 1999 and has previously served as Deputy Mayor.

He was elected by nine votes to three over Liberal Party nominee, Gordon Weiss. In addition to the votes of the six Greens councillors Councillor Parker received support from the two Labor and the Independent Councillors. Councillor McKenzie was elected Deputy Mayor by the same margin.

The election of Leichhardt’s first Greens Mayor has been welcomed by Sylvia Hale the NSW Greens MP and Local Government spokesperson.

“Jamie Parker joins the popularly elected Jan Barham from Byron Bay as the Greens second Mayor arising from the recent local government elections,” said Ms Hale.

“The result in Leichhardt, where the Greens received over 46% of the primary vote, is a wonderful vote of confidence in the work of Greens councillors.” (more…)

Reports of soaring water bills demonstrate the folly of building Tillegra Dam, especially at a time when other infrastructure projects are being put on hold, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye

Commenting on the story in the Newcastle Herald (’Water bills set to soar’), Dr Kaye said: “Tillegra Dam is not needed, it will be expensive and it will devastate the local environment. It is time for Water Minister Nathan Rees to admit his government’s mistake and cancel the project.

“With the government casting around for projects to postpone or cancel to cover its budget shortfalls, Tillegra Dam should be placed at the top of the list.

“Premier Rees can cancel desperately needed public transport projects, or a dam nobody wants and nobody needs. (more…)

Growth in greenhouse gases coming from NSW’s coal-fired power stations is currently outstripping even the rapid rise in the rest of Australia’s fossil fuel emissions, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Commenting on a story on page 5 of today’s Sydney Morning Herald (’Australian emissions still rising rapidly’), Dr Kaye said: “The massive rate of increase in CO2 pollution from this state’s electricity industry is a testament to the failed policies of the Iemma and Rees governments.

“Energy Minister Ian Macdonald can’t see beyond the coal industry.

“For the past decade, the NSW government has failed to fast-track the development of a renewable energy industry or work with households to reduce demand. (more…)

The Australian Greens have used their crucial Senate votes to end the taxpayer subsidy to condensate, taking a key step towards investment in a cleaner energy future for Australia.

Australian Greens Senator Christine Milne said “Condensate, a form of oil, currently benefits from a $2.1 billion taxpayer subsidy through its excise exemption. The Greens today voted to end the subsidy and make the polluting industry pay its way.

“If we in Australia want to increase pensions, to support carers, to fund hospitals and schools and to invest in clean, renewable energy, Australian companies making massive profits from polluting will have to pay their fair share.

“The excise exemption for condensate was introduced to assist a fledgling industry that has now become massively profitable. (more…)

The Government, which yesterday blocked debate on a $30 a week pension increase, today blocked action on multi-million dollar executive salaries.

The Senate motion, moved by Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown read: (more…)

The Rudd Government’s much-vaunted ‘world first’ legislation setting up a regulatory framework for carbon capture and storage dodges the biggest regulatory issue the industry faces - who will carry liability in case the carbon dioxide leaks.

Australian Greens Senator Christine Milne has made additional comments to the Senate Inquiry Report into the Bill tabled today, setting out the Greens position that the taxpayer must not be saddled with the risk while coal companies walk away with the profits.

Senator Milne said “Who will carry the liability if and when stored carbon leaks? The Government apparently thinks this question doesn’t need to be answered, but it is quite obvious that that approach would leave everybody - supporters and opponents of goesequestration alike - in limbo. (more…)

Pushing ahead with the sale of the state’s electricity retailers during the greatest credit crisis since the 1929 stock market crash would be financial recklessness, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: “Businesses across the globe are offloading assets at bargain basement prices as the financial sector goes into global credit meltdown.

“Selling at the bottom of a market is the least prudent course of action, especially when the retailers are returning dividends to NSW taxpayers. (more…)

Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam gained the unanimous support of the Senate today on a motion that the Australian Government increase its efforts to restore democracy in Burma.

“The Senate unanimously expressed its support for the democratic aspirations of the people of Burma and has called upon the Australian Government to take further diplomatic action to end the injustices in Burma,” said Scott Ludlam, who initiated the motion.

Today marks the first anniversary of the pro-democracy uprising in Burma that became known as the Saffron Revolution. A fortnight later the peaceful uprising was brutally suppressed by the Burmese military regime, resulting in the death, injury and ongoing detention of a large, but still unknown number of people.

Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam will introduce a Bill into the Senate today that would ensure parliamentary approval for the deployment of forces.

“It is time that Australia joined its closest allies and like-minded democratic states by involving the Parliament in the
decision to send troops into battle,” Senator Ludlam said.

“Decisions about sending Australia’s sons and daughters into danger, quite possibly to their deaths, should not be made by a handful of people, or in undue haste.  Such decisions must enjoy public confidence and the mandate of the parliament”, Senator Ludlam said. (more…)

The Greens say their successful Senate motion calling for an immediate $30-a-week rise for single pensioners, puts the onus on Prime Minister Rudd to provide more help for single pensioners.

“The Senate has called on Mr Rudd to introduce legislation for an immediate $30-a-week rise. This motion will help assure him such legislation would go through both houses of Parliament as top priority,” Senator Brown said.

“All sides of politics are calling on Mr Rudd to show more heart and give pensioners immediate support.”

The Senate this afternoon passed Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown’s motion: (more…)