Results of a CHOICE survey released today show that consumers are demanding transparent and reliable labelling for free-range eggs that meet high animal welfare standards which is best achieved through legislation, according to Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon and NSW MP John Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: “The Greens’ bill before the NSW Parliament would provide a legislated definition of free-range egg production that would help end the confusion and exploitation that is concerning consumers.

“The results of the CHOICE survey resoundingly reinforce the need to provide certainty to individuals when they buy free-range eggs. This can only be achieved by ending the free range free-for-all that industry self-regulation has become. (more…)

In a blatant deal with the Shooters Party in the NSW Upper House, the O’Farrell government has moved to massively expand the amount of public land available to amateur recreational hunting in a move that sees NSW adopting an unwanted pro-gun culture, according to Greens NSW Firearms spokesperson David Shoebridge.

“This is a shameless capitulation to the Shooters Party and the pro-gun and hunting lobby in NSW, which the majority of NSW residents will be sickened by.

“Feral animal control should be done professionally and humanely, not by a bunch of amateurs who have a vested interest in maintaining feral animal numbers to fuel their blood sports. (more…)

The Greens NSW spokesperson on mining Jeremy Buckingham said today that footage of methane gas bubbling up through the Condamine River in Queensland, close to coal seam gas well sites, was proof that the industry is unsafe and puts at risk our water supply.  He warned that the O’Farrell Government was about to put NSW rivers at risk by unleashing coal seam gas.

The footage of the gas bubbling up through the Condamine River can be viewed here.

“Gas bubbling up through t a 5km stretch of the Condamine River is the worst case recorded so far of what appears to be pollution related to fracking for coal seam gas,” said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.

“Fracking and drilling for coal seam gas by Origin Energy may have caused the rock to crack allowing gas to migrate into the aquifers and up through a major river.

“This is the canary in the coal seam gas well.  The O’Farrell Government must not allow the coal seam gas industry to pollute rivers and aquifers in NSW. (more…)

Members of the four Greens groups in Eden-Monaro – Bega Valley, Braidwood, Eurobodalla and Queanbeyan-Monaro – have again endorsed Catherine Moore as their candidate in Eden-Monaro for the next Federal Election, the date of which is as yet unknown.

Catherine, who is an artist and has been a Palerang councillor since 2004, was The Greens candidate at the 2010 Federal Election and for the State seat of Monaro in 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007. She will not be recontesting her council position at the September 2012 elections.

“I am really pleased to again be able to represent The Greens in Eden-Monaro over the period between now and the next Federal Election, raising the issues that are important if we want a safe, just and sustainable future. The last campaign was a very short one, so it is great to have an opportunity to continue the work from 2010 over a longer time-frame.

“Contrary to what some people believe, the outcome of the last election and the hung parliament which resulted have been very healthy for democracy in this country. Democracy should not be about a system dominated by two parties only, legitimised by absolute majority of either of those parties, and operating in an atmosphere of adversarial confrontation. It is time we recognised the value of constructive debate and negotiation which is required when such a majority does not exist, and the important role played by parties like The Greens, together with independents, in that process. (more…)