'Journey to Recognition' comes to Footscray
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.
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 by end of month
Victorian Greens Health spokesperson Colleen Hartland will proceed with her Smoke Free Bill on May 29th 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 29 May 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.
Greens say justice priorities are skewed in state budget
“Prison operators are the big winners in this budget at the expense of programs that would help to keep people out of prison, with better outcomes for the community and at less cost to taxpayers,” Greens Justice spokesperson Sue Pennicuik said today.
“There is another $131.5 million dollars in prison funding in this budget – almost $53 million for a high security unit at Barwon Prison and almost $79 million for 357 more prison beds across the system,” Ms Pennicuik said. “On top of $819 million budgeted last year, including $670 million for a new men’s prison in Ravenhall, this brings funding for prisons over this and last year’s budget to $950 million or not much change from a billion dollars on prisons alone.”
Declare western Vic drought to help dairy farmers
Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber has asked the State Government to declare western Victoria as drought affected, triggering Federal assistance.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Mr Barber said "I am requesting that [the Minister] take action to have western Victoria declared to be drought affected, and to lobby for federal assistance for farmers in that area. Last week Queensland declared large parts of the state to be drought affected."
"Over the past couple of weeks I have been all over western Victoria and the picture is quite stark - poor rainfall over the last six months, record lows in some areas, and a forecast for more of the same. It must be obvious to the Premier, given that this is part of his own electorate. He cannot have missed the fact that there is a lot of heat and drought affecting his electorate."
Budget mostly bad news for West with small morsel of wins
Greens MP for the Western Suburbs Colleen Hartland says that the state budget is mostly bad news for the Western Suburbs, but contains a small morsel of community wins.
"The single biggest disappointment is that government's complete neglect of addressing our transport problems. This government was elected on a commitment to fix public transport, yet this budget confirms they have abandoned this promise" said Colleen Hartland.
V/Line dudded in Budget
Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber says the Napthine government is sacrificing V/Line passengers to scrape together money for his inner Melbourne toll road.
"No additional V/Line coach or train services this year. If you need more frequent services from your town to make travelling more convenient or to reduce overcrowding, bad luck, come back next year," said Greg Barber MLC
"The Napthine Government allocated $8 billion on a road tunnel from Collingwood to Kensington in yesterday's Budget, but it can't scrape two cents together for the extra V/Line trains we need."
