[Greens-Media] Fielding reassured by Brown

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Sunday, 1 July 2007

Fielding reassured by Brown

Greens Leader Bob Brown will reassure Family First Senator Steven
Fielding that the Greens unanswered approaches to discuss preferences
are not secret.

"Fielding's idea that the Greens are seeking a 'secret preference deal'
with his fundamentalist party is ludicrous," Senator Brown said.

"Steve is new to his obligations. All parties have to lodge their
preference for the Senate with the Australian Electoral Commission
before the election. I have been very public that the Greens are
approaching all parties. That is the mature thing to do. But if Steve is
not talking with other parties that's his pigeon. It will make our job
that much easier.

"To be fair, the fundamentalist Family First party is poles apart from
the Greens: Fielding wants to log and burn forests, burn more coal,
consume more oil and, unlike every other party and all expert opinion,
oppose harm minimisation as the best approach to drug addiction. So we
are not competing for votes," Senator Brown said.

"I suspect Fielding is getting a cold shoulder from Labor and it's
little wonder - deep divisions would open up if Labor were to preference
Family First ahead of the Greens, with our policies which are strongest
for working families, in the run to this election."

"Fielding seems to be a little angry. I know the feeling - our party was
once at less than 2% in the polls too," Senator Brown said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603


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Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185
ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au