Train station tour confirms election promises broken
Greens MP for the Western Suburbs Colleen Hartland completed her Western Suburbs train station blitz this morning at Ascot Vale train station with Denis Napthine (cardboard cut-out) under her arm.
"People have enjoyed seeing the cut out of Denis because they figure it's going to be the only time they will see him using public transport" said Colleen Hartland.
"The bad news is that in concluding this tour I can confirm that both Coalition election promises to ‘fix public transport’ and ‘not neglect the West’ have been abandoned."
Labor green-lights East West tollway
Greens MPs Adam Bandt and Greg Barber have criticised a Gillard government decision not to require an environment impact statement for East West tollway roads and open cuts tunnels that will wreck Royal Park environment reserves and parkland.
"Minister Burke's decision to fast-track approval for the East West tollway shows Labor's opposition to the East West tollway is hollow,” Australian Greens Deputy Leader Adam Bandt said today.
“The Minister cannot hide behind the letter of the law. He has been more than happy to look for creative ways to halt other environmentally destructive projects, such as Alpine grazing, but here he has given the East West Tollway the green light instead of going the extra mile to stop this environmental vandalism."
"The tollway will be a pollution nightmare and wreck one of Melbourne’s great natural parks."
Dairy farmer confidence plummets as triple crisis hits
Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber has called on the Liberal state government to develop a plan to address the crisis in the dairy industry, after a new survey shows confidence amongst dairy farmers has plummeted.
"Confidence amongst western Victorian dairy farmers has collapsed in 2013 to 46% down from 63% last year. Even during the shocking drought times such as 08-09, confidence was much higher, with a 70-80 percent positive outlook."
"Given the significance of the dairy industry to Victoria, you'd think the state government would have said something about the triple crisis of climate, market and competitiveness hitting the industry."
V/Line performance beyond a joke
Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber says V/Line's latest performance figures show a system that is failing, with the Geelong line on a downward spiral and regular passengers on every line but one eligible to claim compensation for poor punctuality.
"This is getting beyond a joke. I call on V/Line to publish the reasons for each and every delayed train so the Napthine government can be held responsible for starving V/Line of funds," said Greens MP Greg Barber
'Journey to Recognition' comes to Footscray
It’s time to Recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia’s Constitution.
On the 15th anniversary of Sorry Day, Recognise will launch an epic relay across the country. Inspired by Michael Long’s ‘The Long Walk’, the “Journey to Recognition” will be partnering with the Long Walk Foundation.
The "Journey to Recognition" will be meeting communities and gathering support across our country to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our Constitution. AFL legend Michael Long will take the first steps of the Journey, leading Australians onto the road to recognition.
When: 1:30pm for 2pm arrival, Sunday 26th May.
Where: Nicholson Street Mall, Northern end near Barkly Street, Footscray
Who: 'Journey to Recognition' walkers, former Senator Aden Ridgeway, Gathering Place CEO Colleen Marion, and Greens MP Colleen Hartland.
Greens support International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO)
Victorian Greens LGBTI spokesperson, Sue Pennicuik MLC, today voiced her continued support for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).*
“Unfortunately, too many LGBTI people are still subject to discrimination in their daily lives and threats to their health and safety in our community,” Ms Pennicuik said. “This is unacceptable and we all must continue to fight against it.
"Today is a reminder to us all to stand up against discrimination and to speak out strongly against homophobia and transphobia wherever we see it,” Ms Pennicuik said.
The Greens are fighting for marriage equality with Adam Bandt’s Marriage Equality to be voted on in the Federal Parliament on Thursday, 6 June.
East West Tollway tunnel exit to destroy park, traffic in city
The planned East West Tollway will have an open cut exit ramp at Elliott Ave Parkville, between the Royal Melbourne Zoo and the Children's Hospital, which will dump traffic in the city.
"It will destroy open space and wetlands in Royal Park, expose residents to pollution and pour traffic onto Elliott Avenue near Flemington Road, making road congestion worse," said Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber
"You'd better believe we will fight this one all the way."
Massacre of hundreds of protected species shows duck season must end
Revelations in today’s Age regarding the massacre of hundreds of ducks and protected species, left to die in the water in what was clearly an organised shooting spree, is emblematic of why duck shooting should be banned once and for all, Greens MP, Sue Pennicuik said today.
“What is worse is that this terrible incident, which must be shocking to the majority of Victorians who don’t support duck shooting, could have been prevented if warnings had been heeded,” Ms Pennicuik said.
Greens act on doctor's orders - smoke free law within weeks
Victorian Greens Health spokesperson Colleen Hartland will proceed with her Smoke Free Bill on June 12th as the Victorian Premier fails to respond to the latest call from 197 cancer clinicians* for a smoking ban in outdoor dining and drinking areas.
“The doctor's orders are to ban smoking in outdoor dining and drinking areas. The Greens are listening and will take the necessary steps to protect the public health of Victorians” said Greens MP Colleen Hartland.
“In the absence of any action from the Premier in response to this latest call from Victoria’s doctors, I will proceed with my smoke free Bill on 12 June 2013.”
State budget - a let down for education
The state budget is a big let down for everyone who cares about education, Victorian Greens Education spokesperson, Sue Pennicuik has said today.
"Capital funding for new schools at Wyndham Vale South, Melton North West, Doreen, Truganina and also land for the much needed new primary school in South Melbourne is welcome, particularly by those communities, but there is estimated to be around twenty urgently needed new schools and at least as many major rebuilds also urgently needed," Ms Pennicuik said.
"In addition, the $51.5m for 2013/14 is only a fraction of the $585m that it is needed for school repairs, identified by the 2005/06 school repairs audit. At this rate, without any new work, it will take a decade to complete the backlog, let alone the new schools and refurbishments that are and will be needed.
