[Greens-Media] South Australia's Greens Senator makes history

[Clark, Gemma (Sen S. Hanson-Young)]

Tuesday 26 August 2008

South Australia's Greens Senator makes history

South Australia's first-ever Greens Senator, Sarah Hanson-Young, vowed
to put the Murray River at the top of Canberra's agenda when she was
sworn in today.

Senator Hanson-Young, 26, makes history as the youngest woman ever
elected to the Federal Parliament, and is the youngest member of the
current Parliament.

"It's been a nine-month wait since the election results were declared,
and I am incredibly honoured and excited to be here in the chamber
today, able to put South Australia's issues front and centre," said
Senator Hanson-Young.

Senator Hanson-Young's first act within the Parliament will be to move
for the Greens' proposed urgent Senate Inquiry into the Murray-Darling
crisis.

"The lower reaches of the Murray desperately need water now, and I hope
my Senate colleagues will support this Inquiry as a means to throw and
urgent lifeline to the river and its communities. This is a national
emergency and we must take action now," she said.

The new Senator from Adelaide said she would provide a strong voice for
South Australia on environmental and social issues.

"Parental leave is an issue close to my heart that I will be campaigning
for in the Senate. Australia lags behind the world when it comes to
supporting mothers and fathers and I plan to do something about that,"
she said.

Senator Hanson-Young was sworn in while daughter Kora, 18 months, was
present in the chamber.

"It's a great privilege and a great responsibility that rests on my
shoulders here in the Senate," she said.

"I campaigned for the Senate on a platform of helping create a fairer,
greener and more sustainable Australia, and I want to do this through a
principled and more compassionate style of politics."

"I feel privileged to be able to continue South Australia's strong
representation of young women in the Parliament - our voices must be
included in decision-making for Australia's future," Senator
Hanson-Young concluded.

For further comment please call Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760