[Greens-Media] Rees should reverse V8s from Olympic Park: Sunday Rally

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media Alert - Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - 17 October 2008

Rees should reverse V8s from Olympic Park
Lee Rhiannon speaks at Public Rally

What: Rally from 11am, Speakers from 12, Sunday 19 October 2008
When: 11am, Friday 26 September 2008
Where: Cnr of Dawn Fraser Avenue & Olympic Boulevarde.
Speakers include: Greens MP Lee Rhiannon, Federal Labor MP Laurie Ferguson, Leigh Martin of the Total Environment Centre, Auburn Mayor Irene Simms and Greens Councillor Malikeh Michaels.

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said:

"Bringing V8 Supercars to Olympic Park is like introducing cane toads where they don't exist.

"The strength and breadth of opposition to the decision will be evident at Sunday's rally. 

"The Greens are calling on Premier Rees to urgently reverse his decision to restore some faith in his powers to renew his government.

"This week I met with the NSW Auditor General who informed me he will consider conducting a review of the event as part of his 2009 activities.

"Premier Rees' decision is so fundamentally flawed the public would have a right to wonder if part of the deal that won him the Premiership was agreeing to support this event.

"The widespread condemnation of the race is a tribute to how wrong the decision is and how illusory the benefits are for Sydney.

"The economics don't stack up and the damage to the site and local amenity will be considerable. 

"The government has failed to consult with the community or conduct  proper environmental impact assessments. 

"The move is also completely at odds with the intent of the legislation, guidelines and the master plan that govern Sydney Olympic Park.

"We know the motor industry is in decline, with Ford recently cutting 1500 workers in Victoria alone. You wonder if the government has sought any reassurance from Ford and General Motors Holden that they will keep supporting the V8 series for five years at least. 

"The failure of the government to consult before imposing this race on Sydney shows that despite what Labor says about listening to the community it is still happy to let business interests call the shots," Ms Rhiannon said.

For information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568. 


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Lee Rhiannon, MLC
The Greens
Parliament of New South Wales
Macquarie St 
Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 
Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
lee.rhiannon at parliament.nsw.gov.au
http://www.lee.greens.org.au/
http://www.democracy4sale.org/ 

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