[Greens-Media] Greens announce plans to contest Penrith by-election

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media Release - NSW Greens - 7 May 2010

The Greens have announced that they will run in the Penrith
by-election and will shortly open preselection.

Greens MP and electoral matters spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said "The
Greens will run an active campaign in the Penrith by-election so the
voters will have the option to vote for a party that stands for local
jobs growth, public transport expansion and clean government.

"The track record of the local MP, Karen Paluzanno, and the NSW
government demonstrates why Labor deserves to lose the seat of
Penrith, but that does not mean the Coalition deserves to win.

"Opposition leader Barry O'Farrell and his colleagues 'discover'
western Sydney when they think they have a chance of winning seats.

"Penrith and surrounding suburbs have been short changed for too long
because Labor has taken this area for granted and the Coalition has
been busy looking after the big end of town.

"Public transport will be a major plank of our campaign as 80 per cent
of Penrith locals are forced to drive to work each day.

Nepean Greens spokesperson Suzie Wright said, "Our local group will
open up preselection shortly. This by-election is a great opportunity
for local Greens to push for improved public services and greater
environmental protection of the ADI site.

"Ms Paluzanno not only did the wrong thing by the NSW parliament but
she failed to support the local campaign to save the Cumberland Plains
Woodland.

"We will closely examine the track record of all political parties on
the key local issue of protecting the unique environment at the ADI
site.

"Four months ago the Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett
upgraded the Cumberland Plains Woodland to a critically endangered
ecological community.

"The ADI site has significant stands of this Woodland.

"We want to hear from all the other candidates running in this
by-election on how they plan to protect this unique environment," Ms
Wright said.

For more information
Lee Rhiannon – 0427 861 568
Suzie Wright - 0409 300 349