Cooranbong Gazette Candidate Profile

Why should the residents of Cooranbong consider me at the upcoming election?

The Greens are a party whose policies are underpinned by the principles of Social & Economic Justice, Grassroots Democracy, Ecological Sustainability and Peace, Nonviolence & Disarmament. This means that Greens think about and do politics differently.

Grassroots Democracy means that the Local group is the highest level of decision making because these are the people most in touch with their constituents. The Greens do not accept developer donations because this corrupts the democratic process. The Greens have moved a Private Members Bill to ban developer donations to political parties to make sure Government decisions are free from improper influence.

An example of the principle of social and economic justice can be seen in the Planning and Development policy which says the public interest must become the dominant consideration in all planning and development decisions. Obtaining approval for developments that are over sized, unsustainable and inappropriate has been made easier than ever under the current Government, while the ability of the community to resist such developments has been diminished. The Greens are working to reform the Land and Environment Court to protect the rights of the community.

Ecological sustainability emphasises the need to consider the long term implications of our everyday decisions upon the environment that sustains us. The Greens have policies on managing our water resources efficiently, looking towards renewable technologies to provide for our future energy needs and protecting our wild places for their inherent worth and the vast variety of life that exists in them. The Greens are committed to no new coal mines or coal infrastructure and transforming the electricity industry into a renewable energy industry that provides a job rich future and protects the environment.

The Greens might be a small political party but they are seen by many as the true opposition in the NSW Parliament. We are looking for a future beyond coal, not just for our communities but also for our children and humanity. We are committed to advancing an agenda of social and economic justice, environmental protection and democratic values.

Candidate Announcement-Media Release 23/1/07

MEDIA RELEASE

23 January 2006

GREENS PRE-SELECT
CANDIDATE FOR LAKE MACQUARIE

The Newcastle Greens local group has pre-selected Suzanne Pritchard as The Greens candidate for Lake Macquarie in the March 2007 NSW state election.

“I’ve become active in the local campaign to provide people with a choice that would see politics return to the people and the environment protected for people, not plundered for profit,” Suzanne said.

“One of our key objectives for this election is to help increase the number of Greens in the upper house of state parliament. Greens MP Lee Rhiannon is a fantastic example of how effective a Green can be. She has campaigned to stop new coal mines and has effectively exposed the extent and impact of developer donations on the major political parties. Dr John Kaye is second on the ticket. He’s a sustainable energy and greenhouse expert, just the right credentials to support an electorate dependent on energy production. He is a tireless campaigner for public education and public transport, “Suzanne said.

Suzanne is a science and environmental educator. She has lived in the electorate at Carey Bay for 16 years, sole parenting her three children to adulthood whilst being actively involved in the local community.

“The Lake Macquarie electorate is big, and with it come big issues that affect how and where we get our water, the role of coal, and employment options for the future, and the impact of urban development in destroying our quality community lifestyle” Suzanne said

"Coal extraction has increased, whilst jobs in the industry continue to decline. It’s time to face facts and plan for a future of sustainable energy technologies that will provide jobs, maintain our role as energy providers and build an industry based on skills, not just bigger machines and bigger holes.

“A sustainable water supply for the Central Coast is another issue that’s looking for a economically, socially and environmentally viable solution. The Lake Macquarie electorate is a major part of the catchment that’s in crisis. Dams where is doesn’t rain don’t make sense and cost big dollars. Recycling water and subsidising water tanks where rain falls make sense to all but a few. Those few unfortunately are the ones calling the shots.

“I decided to be a candidate to give the people of Lake Macquarie a choice; a choice to do things differently and more sustainably. It’s the choice between letting Sydney politics drive the agenda for our region and ensuring that the local communities still have a say about the place they choose to call home”.