[Greens-Media] Greens face up to challenges following tough election

[David Shoebridge]

Greens face up to challenges following tough election

Media release: 9 September 2012

In a tough election where the Greens' vote softened across much of the
State the Greens remain the party of choice for voters in Leichhardt,
are toe-to-toe with Labor in Marrickville and are leading the mayoral
race in Byron Bay, according to Greens NSW MP David Shoebridge.

"This was a challenging election to be running progressive messages of
protecting the environment and fighting overdevelopment.  The
electorate's mood was clearly conservative.

"The Greens NSW will learn the lessons from this election.

"We need to acknowledge that in local councils across the state there
were voters who chose us in 2008 but who moved away in 2012.

"This election shows that we can never take our supporters for
granted.  We have to get out there and connect with the community to
earn every vote.

"Ultimately voters respect parties who stick to their principles and
their policies.

"The Greens vote remains strong in much of the party's traditional
heartland from Marrickville and Leichhardt to Byron Bay.

"There was a strong showing in some regional councils with the Greens
vote growing in Kiama, Armidale and Eurobodalla.

"The Greens vote also grew, although not as strongly as hoped, in some
Western Sydney seats including Fairfield and Penrith.

"Over the coming months the Greens will be talking with the community,
raising fresh ideas and connecting with the electorate to remain a
party with positive, appealing and progressive politics,"  Mr
Shoebridge said.

-- 
Media Contact: David Shoebridge 0408 113 952

Greens Councillors definitely elected:

Armidale Dumaresq
Ballina B
Bega Valley
Bellingen
Blue Mountains 2
Byron (3 on council)
Canada Bay
Cessnock D
Coffs Harbour
Eurobodalla
Gosford (only one)
Kiama (two)
Leichhardt (four leads)
Lismore (one)
Manly (one)
Marrickville (four leads)
Newcastle 1
Orange (one)
Pittwater North
Shoalhaven 3
Sydney (one)
Tweed (one)
Waverley Bondi
Wingecarribee

Greens Councillors still in the race:

Armidale Dumaresq (second)
Ashfield East
Ashfield North East
Auburn 2
Ballina A and C
Blue Mountains 1 and 4
Byron Mayor
Canterbury East
Fairfield Parks
Hawkesbury (one)
Lane Cove Central and West
Marrickville North (second)
Orange (second)
Penrith North
Randwick East, North and West
Rockdale 3
Shoalhaven 1 and 2
Wagga Wagga
Waverley Lawson and Waverley
Willoughby West
Woollahra Cooper and Paddington