[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE: An independent alone cannot save TAFE or protect farms

[Williams, Maddy (Sen L. Rhiannon)]

MEDIA RELEASE
28 June

An independent alone cannot save TAFE or protect farms

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Greens NSW Senator Lee Rhiannon has backed the call from New England Greens candidate Mercurius Goldstein for voters to support the Greens before independent candidates.

"A vote for the Greens in New England is a vote for TAFE, a vote to secure Australia's farming future through sustainable agriculture, to protect the Liverpool Plains from coal mines and CSG, and to ensure we develop local jobs in the local livestock industry," Senator Rhiannon said.

"This cannot be achieved under a Turnbull-Joyce government. That is why the Greens have given a commitment in this election that if there is no clear winner on Saturday we will not support the Nationals and Liberals to form government.

"Independent candidates who flirt with the option of supporting a Turnbull-Joyce government would see New England face further TAFE cuts, further threats to farms from coal mining and CSG, and further job losses as more livestock industry jobs are shipped offshore in the appalling live export trade.

"Unfortunately Mr Windsor has indicated he will continue to support the live export trade if elected.

"Mr Windsor has also failed to rule out approving a new fossil fuel project elsewhere in Australia. The 'water trigger', while an important initiative, does not go far enough because the carbon emissions from new fossil fuel projects will still contribute to dangerous global warming.

"To be taken seriously on global warming, all candidates in this election must rule out approving new fossil fuel projects in Australia. This means no new coal, and no CSG. In New England, Mercurius Goldstein for the Greens is the only candidate who has met this challenge.

"One independent politician, no matter how capable or competent, cannot work as hard or achieve as much for their electorate as a full Parliamentary team, such as the Greens now have around Australia.

"Unlike the independents, the Greens have also developed a full suite of policies.

"I believe the best option for New England voters in this election is to make the Greens with Mercurius Goldstein their first choice, before giving preferences first to other progressive candidates, and to put Barnaby Joyce's Nationals last."

Media contact
Lee Rhiannon - Maddy Williams 0421 214 305
Mercurius Goldstein - 0434 919 606


Maddy Williams
Campaigner
Senator Lee Rhiannon | Australian Greens Senator for NSW
p:  Sydney 02 9211 9523 | Canberra 02 6277 3496
w: lee-rhiannon.greensmps.org.au<http://lee-rhiannon.greensmps.org.au/signup>
I am a proud member of my union, the CPSU.