For the first time, the Federal seat of Melbourne has become a marginal seat, and the country’s only Labor/Greens electorate, after the Greens outpolled the Liberals to finish second.

Today the Australian Electoral Commission will declare the result in the seat of Melbourne. On a two candidate preferred basis, the result is Labor 54.7 per cent, Greens 45.3 per cent.

Labor MP Lindsay Tanner’s primary vote fell below 50 per cent and he was forced to rely on preferences from Australian Democrats voters to get elected. (more…)

Privatisation of the NSW electricity industry would deprive this state of more than $1 billion a year in revenue payments. Commonwealth underwriting assistance to the states to build public transport, health and education infrastructure would make the sell off unnecessary, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: “Treasurer Costa is using privatisation to create the illusion that he is solving the infrastructure deficit cause by the Carr/Iemma government’s failure to invest in public transport, education and health. (more…)

ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey has today voiced concerns about the Canberra Airport’s plans for unlimited growth - and called for a curfew on night time flights.

“I think Canberra people are just getting a handle on what we can expect if the airport expansion proceeds as planned,” Dr Foskey said today. (more…)

ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey today questioned ACTEW’s week by week approach to water restrictions, following announcements today that sprinklers for lawns might be allowed throughout January.

“It was only a few weeks ago that we were considering the impact of Stage Four water restrictions here in Canberra,” Dr Foskey said today.

“If we do move to Stage Four, Canberra people will see will bear the loss of many loved trees and shrubs, in addition to their vegetable gardens, lawns and flowers.” (more…)

As the world moves towards committing to science-based deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, the Iemma government is heading in the other direction by selling long term leases on NSW’s state-owned generators, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: “The Iemma government’s fire sale of electricity assets is being rushed through as the state winds down for the holidays. The Premier’s spin doctors are busy glossing over the difficult issues.

“Privatising the electricity industry is always a bad idea but this a particular silly time to be doing it. (more…)

Australian Greens climate change spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne, today welcomed Opposition Environment Spokesperson Greg Hunt embracing the Greens’ position that Australia should sign up to the Bali targets as a negotiating range, creating the space for Kevin Rudd’s team to move decisively in the final hours of the Bali Conference.

Senator Milne, at the Bali climate conference in her capacity as Vice President of the World Conservation Union, said “the truism that a week is a long time in politics has been demonstrated again with climate politics. (more…)

Matters arising from minutes, contribution to Strategic Planning Update agenda item discussion, questions and statements… (more…)