[Greens-Media] Greens Pre-select former nurse for Maroubra By- Election

[Murray Matson]

Media Release

Friday 5 August 2005

Greens pre-select former Prince Henry Hospital Nurse, 
Anne Gardiner for Maroubra By-Election

The Randwick-Botany Greens have pre-selected Anne Gardiner for 
the Maroubra by-election.

Ms Gardiner is a Maroubra local who trained as a nurse at Prince 
Henry Hospital.

She later completed a Masters Degree in Safety Science at the 
University of NSW and now works in the field of Occupational 
Health and Safety. She is also very active as a Union delegate 
in the Public Service Association.

It is expected that Ms Gardiner will campaign strongly on local 
issues in the seat vacated by the former Premier.

"I look around this area and feel as if we have been punished 
for being a safe labor seat", Ms Gardiner said.

"Every time the state government needs a few more dollars in the 
coffers they head straight for the seat of Maroubra looking for 
something to sell.  If Maroubra was a marginal seat we would 
probably still have our hospital and public schools.

"Maroubra needs a local member who will actively oppose the 
Southern Cross Drive Access Ramps.  The additional traffic 
along Anzac Parade resulting from the ramps will put an end to 
any hope of restoring the light rail along Anzac Parade. These 
ramps will produce more traffic problems than they will solve.

"I will also be campaigning against the proposed Port Botany 
expansion", Ms Gardiner said.

"Why do we need it and where is the community consultation? 
The roads from Port Botany just won't cope with the additional
truck movements.

The Greens support the reclamation of storm water and effluent 
water and argue that is the path this state should be following 
rather than building an energy hungry, polluting desalinantion 
plant.

"The announcement of a desalination plant was the work of a 
government only interested in winning the next election rather 
than planning for a sustainable future", said Ms Gardiner.

"The Greens strongly support National Park Status for Malabar 
Headland."