[Greens-Media] Final NSW Upper House count - Greens gain two quotas, total numbers now four MPs

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE - 10 April 2007

Final NSW Upper House count - Greens gain two quotas, total numbers now four MPs 
 
The NSW Electoral Commissions today finalised the count of votes for the NSW Upper House. Speaking at the Commissions' Riverwood office Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said the Greens had gained two quotas in their own right, which takes their numbers to four Greens MPs in the NSW Parliament. 
 
"A 9.1% vote for the Greens shows strong support for real action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Labor government would be foolish to ignore the one in eleven NSW voters who backed the Greens", Ms Rhiannon said. 
 
"John Kaye and I were the successful Upper House candidates for the Greens. 
 
"Greens MPs Ian Cohen and Sylvia Hale and I are looking forward to working with John Kaye. As an energy and education expert John Kaye will be an excellent asset to the Greens team in parliament.
 
"The Labor government needs to learn that more and more people are cottoning on to the fact that their clean coal plans offer no solution to the threat of climate change. 
 
"There is growing support for the Greens plan to phase out the coal industry. It is time that Labor recognised that we can both make the transition away from coal to renewable energy and have jobs growth. 
 
"This result lays an excellent base for the Greens federal election campaign, coming on top of last year's breakthrough with the first Greens MPs taking their seats in the South Australian and the Victorian Upper Houses”, Ms Rhiannon said.

Contact:  Greens MP Lee Rhiannon             9230 3551, 0427 861 568
 
See following for the make up of the new NSW Upper House 
 
Party2003 MPsContinuing MPsElected 20072007 MPs
Labor1810919
Coalition 137815
Greens3224
Democrats1000
Christian Democrats2112
Shooters1112
One Nation1000
Unity1000
Outdoor Recreation1000
Reform Legal System1000
Totals 42212142

 
Assuming Labor fills the position of Legislative Council President, for legislation to pass the Upper House, Labor will need the support of either the Coalition or three crossbench MPs.