Thanks to Judy Cameron and the Otways branch for organising a Meet the Candidates gathering at Ferguson near Beechforest in the Otways yesterday. And big thanks to all who attended, including ten of the twelve candidates standing for preselection as lead senate candidate for The Greens.
We each had to give a three minutes speech, then respond to a question on funding of schools. Here's my speech:
Why Janet for the Senate?
I want to share 3 reasons with you in my 3 minutes today.
1 The first reason is my commitment to you
This preselection campaign is actually all about you. I want to be your Senator to share power with you, to work collaboratively with you to achieve change. I commit to being accessible, approachable, consultative.
2 The second reason to preselect me is my track record
- I drove the formation of the Greens in Victoria in 1992 and have been active in the party ever since in a multitude of roles
- I’m an activist. A forest campaigner, transport campaigner, climate change campaigner. I roll my sleeves up and make things happen.
I am motivated to act rather a lot, because I feel connected to all the other species on this planet and all the peoples of the planet. I believe protecting biodiversity has to underpin everything we do. I’m passionate for example about the peoples of Kiribati and West Papua living happy and healthy lives. I care about people doing it tough in Australia – people such as those I did my best to help when I was a Councillor and Mayor. - I’m an experienced elected representative. I’ve been in Government. I’ve represented people. I’ve negotiated over trucks, poker machines, urban development.
- And I have a track record campaigning for election. I campaign hard, as part of a team, we have fun, we get results! I got the biggest swing in the state in Footscray at the state election – an increase of almost 9% to a vote of 21%.
3 The third reason to vote for me is to build upon my expertise to deliver results.
- Key issues for me include climate change, economics, protecting the natural environment, transport, education and justice for indigenous Australians
- As your Senator I want to see us legislate for a zero carbon economy within my term of office. It seems impossible now, but the alternative is unthinkable. We have to make it happen.
- We must talk economics, and change the way our economy works so it makes economic sense to phase out coal, to give humanity a future.
- I believe transport should be a key federal issue for us – think very fast train, freight on rail, public transport to and in regional Australia.
Finally, my optimism, and my commitment to thinking and doing big underpins all three reasons!
In 1992 it was audaciously suggested that we’d have members of parliament within 15 years, and be in government within 30. We’re on track! I’d love to represent you as your Senator for the next part of our journey together. With your support, we can do it!
No comments
Trackback link: Please enable javascript to generate a trackback url