Issue # 1401      4 March 2009

Greens condemn Qld govt election tactic

The Greens have condemned the Queensland premier for going to the polls six months early but are nevertheless ready for what they hope will be their most successful campaign yet.

Greens MP for Indooroopilly Ronan Lee said the Premier should have been prepared to go through until September, to take on the challenge of the economic slowdown and implement those policy promises left over from the last election.

“The premier is hoping to sneak back into government with an election held before unemployment becomes a major issue and her government’s weaknesses are exposed,” Mr Lee said.

“She also promised to protect the Great Barrier Reef, list many wilderness rivers, stop the broad-scale tree clearing that is still occurring and many other environmental reforms, none of which have been done.”

Mr Lee said the electorate was faced with a Labor government that was a disappointment on so many levels and an opposition that had released few significant policies and had a history of environmental barbarism.

“In this situation we are saying to voters that the Greens are a strong, coherent, progressive alternative,” Mr Lee said.

“We have the policies to place the Queensland economy on a 21st century footing so that we are not so dependent on the mining sector and to promote green jobs everywhere.”

The Greens believe their MP Ronan Lee will be re-elected, they have a good chance in several other seats and the preferences of their voters will be vital to the outcome.

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