Greens launch next phase of ‘greening local government’

The Tasmanian Greens today hailed the next phase of Greening local government, with the launch of 14 endorsed candidates set to campaign in the upcoming Local Government elections.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that, as the world transitions to a low-carbon future, the Greens local government team would help local communities transition at a grassroots level so that Tasmania’s communities could maximise the benefits and opportunities from the imminent low-carbon future.

“We are seeing a ‘greening-up’ of government at all levels. Federally, in the State Parliament and the momentum is growing for further Greens’ success in local government,” Mr McKim said.

“We know the price on carbon and Canberra’s accompanying carbon package will mean a Renewable Energy Fund and Carbon Farming Initiative which could improve the prospects and wellbeing of our communities.”

“Our candidates can use the Greens’ renowned grassroots commitment to help ensure there is resilience within each of their local communities to meet or even drive the transition to a low-carbon economy that we are already seeing some local communities embrace.”

“Our candidates’ strong commitment to ethics, the environment and to people themselves means they will keep speaking up for the Greens’ values, which will be especially valuable for local communities across the state.”

“The Greens’ council candidate team, which includes several mayoral candidates, will also be campaigning for the public to be involved in proper and meaningful consultation over any mooted council amalgamations.”

“As local government is the grassroots level of politics, it is vital voters have a say on how their councillors do their job.”

“Our candidates will be working on the issues which make a real different in people’s day to day lives, within their respective municipalities, and I hope among them will be some of the State and Federal Greens politicians of the future,” said Mr McKim.

List of Greens’ endorsed local council candidates:

• Break o’Day Council – Peter Nicholls (incumbent)
• Clarence City Council – Kay McFarlane (incumbent), Penelope Ann and Lindy O’Neill
• Derwent Valley Council – Phillip Bingley
• Hobart City Council – Helen Burnet (incumbent) , Bill Harvey (incumbent), Philip Cocker (incumbent), Madeleine Charles
• Huon Valley Council- Liz Smith (incumbent), Rosalie Woodruff (incumbent)
• Kingborough Council- Julian Bush (incumbent), Mark Rickards, Jane Bange