Greens capitulation or monumental debacle in Launceston

The failure by the Greens to endorse a candidate in the seat of Launceston is further proof that they have become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Labor Party.

“The farcical situation of the Greens failing to endorse in the seat of Launceston is either evidence of how subservient and damaged they have become from their coalition with Labor or it is a complete debacle on their behalf,” State Director Jonathan Hawkes said.

“It is almost unprecedented for the Greens not to endorse a candidate in a Legislative Council election particularly when they are constantly and arrogantly claiming a ‘surge’ in support for the Greens.

“Further, since the Greens believe that the north is so concerned about the pulp mill being built, surely they would run a candidate to ride the wave of anti-mill sentiment that they claim exists? Doesn’t this now show that they are concerned that their continual opposition to the mill, the forestry industry and economic development in general has backfired?

“Nick McKim should be forced to explain if there is some sort of secret deal with his Labor colleagues not to run a candidate or did the Greens simply botch their own candidate selection?

“So-called ‘independent’ candidate Rosemary Armitage should also say if there is any arrangement for her to run as a defacto Green candidate.

“If there is no Green in Green clothing, which candidate is trying to disguise themselves?”

And,

ARMITAGE CONFIRMS FEARS SHE IS THE DEFACTO GREEN CANDIDATE

Wednesday 20 April 2011

A vote for independents in the Launceston election could result in a defacto Green candidate being elected in the Legislative Council.

“On radio this morning so called ‘independent’ candidate Rosemary Armitage was trying to have an each way bet on the pulp mill,” State Director Jonathan Hawkes said.

“When asked repeatedly Rosemary Armitage refused to clearly support the Bell Bay Pulp Mill.

“While she is entitled to her view, the voters of Launceston are also deserving of their candidates being upfront about their positions.

“If Rosemary Armitage is trying to pander to the Greens to get their preferences then she needs to be upfront about it.

“Rosemary Armitage needs to immediately declare just what past involvement she has had in anti-pulp mill activities and rallies.

“She needs to explain this immediately as she has been very vocal in the past as an anti-pulp mill crusader.

“Voters are not happy with experience in recent elections where they have voted for independent who just end up supporting Labor and the Greens.

“Rosemary Armitage knows full well there will be no pulp mill at Hampshire so she needs to be fair dinkum with the voters of Launceston rather than trying to confuse people about whether she supports the Bell Bay Pulp Mill or not.”