[Greens-Media] Official Launch of Greens campaign for Page

[Lee Rhiannon]

UNDER EMBARGO - 10AM MONDAY 28 MAY 2010

GREENS OFFER NORTH COAST VOTERS A POSITIVE CHOICE

NSW Greens MP and lead Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon today joined
Ballina Shire Councillor Jeff Johnson and a number of local supporters
at Lismore railway station for the official launch of Mr Johnson’s
campaign as the Greens candidate for Page at the upcoming federal
election.

Cr Johnson, 33, the first-ever Greens councillor in Ballina Shire, and
an energetic campaigner on issues including climate change,
sustainability and waste minimisation, told supporters that a vote for
the Greens is a vote for a genuine alternative to the major parties,
whose values and vision appear increasingly indistinguishable from one
another.

“The Greens offer voters in our region a positive choice. We are the
only party whose policies and actions consistently reflect the
progressive values that many Australians share. On the crucial issues
such as climate change, we are the party committed to positive,
principled action,” Cr Johnson said.

“Our society needs to be sustainable and our natural assets protected.
The community understands this, and the Greens can provide the
responsible leadership to guide the transition to a low-carbon, low
fossil fuel dependent economy and society.

“The abandoned Casino-Murwillumbah rail line is a prime example of the
short-sightedness of State and Federal governments, and their lack of
commitment to tackle climate change, reduce oil dependence, and invest
in public services.

 NSW Greens MP and lead Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon welcomed the
candidacy of Councillor Johnson.
“I look forward to working with Jeff in the Page electorate,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“We need to get freight and passengers back on the rails, and reopen
and expand the rail connections that successive governments, with
their obsession with roads and motorways, have allowed to decline.

“The Greens campaign for public transport, rail freight and high-speed
rail are essential components of tackling climate change, and this
will resonate with people on the north coast.”

After the Page campaign launch, Ms Rhiannon and Cr Johnson are to meet
with community groups concerned with the expansion of Tucki Quarry,
and local health campaigners at Ballina Hospital, where Ms Rhiannon
will be presented with a petition on local breast screening services.

For more information:
Councillor Jeff Johnson: 0438 677 202
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon: 0427 861 568