Greens MP and mining spokesperson Cate Faehrmann is calling for a moratorium on coal seam gas exploration in NSW until a full examination of the environmental and social impacts has proven it safe.

“Documents revealed today by the Sydney Morning Herald show Peabody Gas is well aware that the high environmental impacts of coal seam gas exploration will be unacceptable to the community,” said Ms Faehrmann.

“This is a direct admission on the extent of damage coal seam gas exploration could cause to the Sydney water catchment. (more…)

Greens MP Cate Faehrmann has welcomed Premier Kristina Keneally’s commitment that she will allow a conscience vote on the Greens proposed voluntary euthanasia legislation.

“Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell should now show the same leadership and give the same commitment,” Ms Faehrmann said.

“But with a green light for a full and proper parliamentary debate, the people of New South Wales should not be concerned by the inevitable fear campaign from the religious right. (more…)

Greens MP Cate Faehrmann will today give notice of a bill to legalise voluntary euthanasia for the terminally ill in New South Wales.

“The Greens’ bill will provide the option for people who are terminally ill to end their life in a dignified manner, free from unnecessary pain, humiliation and suffering,” said Ms Faehrmann.

“Public support for voluntary euthanasia is at around 80%. It’s time politicians in Macquarie Street caught up with the general public and join Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and others in legislating for voluntary euthanasia.

“Unfortunately for a small group of people with a terminal illness, even the best palliative care cannot alleviate all suffering.

“In our civilised society, a medically assisted death should be one of the choices available to terminally ill adults who want to die with dignity,” said Ms Faehrmann.

The bill will be based on Ian Cohen’s Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill 2001. The bill will contain extremely stringent conditions and safeguards.

NSW Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge and her predecessors are refusing to acknowledge the potential damage to hundreds of thousands of homes in NSW from inappropriately installed high-fronted gutters, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. (‘Complaints pour in over shonky gutters‘, SMH 18 September, p. 6)

Dr Kaye said: “The Keneally government is hoping in vain that the billions of dollars of damage that could be caused by high fronted gutters will just go away.

“Minister Judge buried the results of the Office of Fair Trading’s survey that showed that nearly three quarters of people who had guttering problems experienced damage to their homes.

“Along with her predecessors she has refused to move against  the sale of systems for fixing high fronted gutters to buildings that put houses at risk and cause non-compliance with the building codes and standards. (more…)

Greens MP David Shoebridge has welcomed the State Government’s back-flip that will see an increase in infrastructure levies of up to $30,000 per lot in many of the fastest growing areas of NSW.

“The Government’s half-thought out decision in June to slash infrastructure levies was nothing more than a gift to developers. This has backfired badly on the provision of essential new housing across NSW, said Mr Shoebridge, The Greens spokesperson for Planning.

“The Government’s failure to engage with local government on this issue lead to council’s effectively going on strike and much needed new housing halted. (more…)

Calls by BHP Billiton for Australia to “look beyond coal” should be a wake-up call to the Keneally government to abandon its plans for new fossil fuel power stations, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. (‘BHP boss dumps on future of coal’ SMH page 1, 16 September)

Dr Kaye said: “Having granted planning approval for two giant coal or gas fired power stations on the books, the Keneally government is set to massively increase the state’s greenhouse gas emissions.

“The world’s largest miner can see that the age of coal is coming to an end but the NSW government cannot.

“Premier Keneally should cancel the unnecessary and polluting power stations and work for a transition to a low carbon future,” Dr Kaye said.

Following the declaration of the polls at 9am this morning we can now report that The Greens in Eden-Monaro received 9.72% of the primary vote, or 8,296 votes, with a breakdown of ordinary: 6,777, absentee: 350, provisional: 21, pre-poll: 589, and postal: 559.

(letter to the editor)

The Coalition is clearly extremely bitter about the final outcome of the election, but they are not assisting their cause by attacking the independents, lying about Greens’ policies, speaking scathingly about the colour of the new Government, and refusing to engage with it before it has even got off the ground.  How does having Greens in Parliament not benefit rural and regional Australia? People interested in the truth will look at the record of Greens in Federal and State Parliaments and local government, and the policies that guide them, to see that the country has been well-served by The Greens and will continue to be while ever The Greens have a voice.

Catherine Moore
Greens candidate for Eden-Monaro 2010

(letter to the editor, sent to Eden-Monaro media)

In the heat of the recent federal election campaign, a number of allegations were thrown at The Greens’ Education policy, with letters and circulars sent to the parents of children at some Catholic schools urging them not to vote Green. Yes, the election is over, but as a Greens candidate who is proud of the party’s commitment to a more just, generous and compassionate society, I think it is important that the communities of Eden-Monaro have the facts about The Greens and Catholic schools. (more…)

The Australian Greens and the Labor Party have signed an agreement to ensure stability for Labor in Government. The Greens will ensure supply and oppose any motion of no confidence in the Government from other parties or MPs.

Labor will work with The Greens to deliver improved transparency and integrity to Parliament and pursue policies that promote the national interest  and address climate change. (more…)