I am so excited, and simultaneously humbled and proud about having been preselected as The Greens Victoria lead Senate candidate for the next federal election. It''s such a privilege to have been voted into this position and to now have the opportunity to work with you, campaigning for election and for a fairer and more sustainable world.
It was such a tightly contested preselection, with twelve incredibly talented candidates standing; a month of Meet the Canddaites meetings, and lots more getting out and about meeting members around the state. Over the last six months I travelled (mostly by train and bike) to Warrnambool and Werribee, Castlemaine, Ballarat, Beechworth, Berwick, Broadmeadows and beyond! And that was on top of a big campaign of email, blogs, facebook, twitter and old fashioned phone calls.
So to win the vote is exciting and just a bit daunting. I will be campaigning hard and long starting immediately to return the confidence the party has placed in me- and get elected! It's going to be a big job - no taking it for granted - of us working together to achieve great things! On top of the Senate seat, we have to re-elect Adam Bandt in Melbourne, and wouldn't it be wonderful to get a Green elected in Batman and maybe other seats too!
Lots of people deserve lots of thanks:
- thanks to the other candidates for putting themselves up before the members. It was a massive effort by everyone. It was so refreshing to be part of a respectful process, where all the candidates managed to get along and care about each other: doing politics differently, in stark contrast to the battles for power in the old parties. As so many people have said over the last month it's such a pity that we can't all be elected.
- thanks to all members that took part in the process by attending meetings, talking to other members and voting.
- thanks to Stephen Luntz, our ever reliable, indefatigable, and extraordinarily dedicated returning officer. Stephen you are a real Green gem. And thanks to to all members and supporters who organised and promoted all the Meet the Candidates meetings and branch meetings
- and thanks to my nominators and supporters. Their confidence in me and kind words about me in their supporting statements and to other members was incredibly important to me.
I'm off to my first taste of Canberra in my new role next weekend where I'm attending the National Council meeting and the joint party room meeting of all of our Senators and Adam, and all their staff - around 80 in all. I'm looking forward to it immensely.
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