[Greens-Media] Greens recommend no preferences to major parties in all October state by-elections

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE
3 October 2008

Greens recommend no preferences to major parties in all October state
by-elections

The Greens in the four NSW by-elections to be held on October 18 will
recommend that voters do not preference Labor or the Coalition
parties.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said "The Greens by-election campaigns in all
four NSW seats will issue how-to-vote cards that show how voters can
ensure their preferences do not end up with either Labor, Liberal or
National candidates.

"Preferences in these by-elections could be crucial. The Greens are
urging voters to ignore the major parties and direct preferences to
maximise the chances of a Greens or progressive independent MP being
elected.

"The Labor government's record on public service delivery, power
industry sell-off plans and poor performance on environmental
protection highlight that they do not deserve preferences.

"Coalition policies are weak in key environmental and social justice
areas. Voters would be unwise to give their preferences to either
Liberal or National candidates.

"I am working with our campaigns in all four by-election electorates,"
Ms Rhiannon said.

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Lindsay Peters, the Greens candidate in Ryde, works as the software
manager for an Australian high-tech medical company and has lived in
Eastwood for almost 20 years with his wife and children. Lindsay
Peters was the candidate whose Greens preferences helped to defeat
John Howard in Bennelong.

Susie Russell, the Greens Port Macquarie candidate, has been a
coordinator of the North East Forest Alliance since 1995 and an
executive member of the North Coast Environment Council for almost a
decade. She has stood for the Greens in several elections since 1995.

Lindsay Langlands, the Greens Cabramatta candidate, works assisting
with drug and alcohol rehabilitation and has lived and worked in the
Fairfield area for over 35 years. She is a human rights lobbyist and
works closely with marginalised communities.

Kristian Bolwell, the Greens candidate in Lakemba, works as an
industrial officer and lawyer for the Fire Brigade Union. He has
previously worked as a waiter and a bar tender and as Board director
of the Marrickville Legal Centre. He is married and has a young son.

Contact –
Lindsay Peters - 0418 643 064  Lindsay Langlands    - 0433 416 847
Susie Russell   - 0429 655 044  Kristian Bolwell        - 0411 638 320
Lee Rhiannon   - 0427 861 568