[Greens-Media] Cabramatta by-election: Labor dodges debate

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media Alert - 9 October 2008

Cabramatta by-election: Labor dodges debate

What: Public debate of Cabramatta by-election candidates
When: 7pm, Monday 13 October 2008
Where: Cabra-Vale Diggers Club, 1 Bartley Street, Canley Vale

Greens candidate for the Cabramatta by-election, Lindsay Langland, has
invited candidates to a public debate. The Mayor of Fairfield and
Labor candidate Nick Lalich has not yet accepted the invitation,
despite Liberal and Independent candidates agreeing.  The Mayor claims
the debate must be independently organised. The event is being
moderated by journalists from the Fairfield Advance, Fairfield
Champion and Dan Viet newspapers.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said:

"If Nathan Rees is really committed to restoring confidence in his
government he should instruct Mr Lalich to attend the forum so the
people of Cabramatta can test his views and policies.

"Mayor Lalich has made some excuses but it looks like he is trying to
dodge a public forum where he will put it to the test.

"Over the last decade the NSW Labor Party has abandoned openness and
accountability as an operating principle.

"By not accepting the invitation, Mayor Lalich is perpetuating the NSW
government's reputation for arrogance.

Greens candidate for Cabramatta Lindsay Langlands said:

"The failure of the Labor Party to take up the Greens offer of a
debate shows it still does not take the seat of Cabramatta seriously.

"There is still time for Mr Lalich to accept our offer and step up to
the rostrum and we hope he agrees to do so.

More information: - Lee Rhiannon: 0427 861 568, Bill Cashman 0403 139 825