Launch of Greens candidates for Shortland and Charlton

NSW Greens MLC Dr. John Kaye launched the campaigns for the Greens candidates for Shortland, Phillipa Parsons and Charlton, Ian McKenzie.

Hannah Gissane and myself taking it to Charlestown... to the bus stop on Pacific Highway!

Do you think we have enough corflutes?

The ballot draw at the ACE office om Charlestown today. The Greens position on the ballot paper will be No. 1. Which is nice.

Media Release: Too much of a gamble?

The Greens candidate for Shortland, Phillipa Parsons believes the recommendations made by the Productivity Commission regarding gaming laws need to be addressed by the federal government as a matter of urgency. “These changes are desperately needed to address the social and economic problem of gambling addiction, a subject rarely discussed by politicians but one which has huge impacts on families,” she said.

“One significant recommendation easily implemented is for periodic shutdowns of gambling areas. This would be in addition to the current mandatory six hour (overnight) shutdown period. Under this proposal, poker machines would be shut down for 10 minutes every hour or half an hour every three hours,” said Ms Parsons.

“Problem gambling is the focus of the Commission’s report and urgent action is recommended to address this destructive addiction. Yet while both the government and the Coalition are aware of the urgency required it hasn’t rated a mention in the political maelstroms of spin emanating from both sides,” Ms Parsons said.

“Unlike some of the non-issues being relied upon by both major parties to draw battle lines this election, this is a real issue, one that is affecting Australian families right now and one that can so easily be addressed. My question to both major parties is do you have the political will to follow through these much needed recommendations?” Ms Parsons asked.

“Most of the harm minimization measures recommended by the Commission can be implemented quickly and at relatively low cost, with few transitional issues, however the financial gain by the state governments explains why there is such resistance to banning or restricting poker machines in hotels,” she said.

“The federal government needs to act and there is no doubt it has the power to act in this area. The Greens support minimizing the harm caused by problem gambling and with the balance of power in the senate, would work to ensure these recommendations are implemented,” she said.

Media Release: Look after our aged care workers!

“Aged care workers must be the most undervalued in Australia if pay rates and lack of adequate government regulation of providers are any indication,” said Greens candidate for Shortland, Phillipa Parsons.“Shortland has an older than average population and the Federal government must ensure that those caring for our aging citizens are adequately cared for in return. Poor rates of pay compared with other sectors of the health industry may equate to a lack of quality, caring staff to adequately care for our aging population,” she said.“Lee Rhiannon has worked tirelessly in the NSW Upper House for the people of NSW and will continue to represent NSW aged care workers in the Australian senate by working towards delivering better recognition of the valuable work they do and to improving wages,” said Ms Parsons.“The Australian government spends millions of taxpayers’ money subsidising aged care providers yet aged care nurses consistently earn much less than nurses in hospitals and most other healthcare settings. The Greens will work to redress this imbalance,” she said.

“Some multi-national companies operating aged care facilities are attempting to shape agendas and policies to enhance their bottom line, whilst milking the Australian government and underpaying NSW aged care nurses. The federal government needs to ensure that pay rates for aged care workers are in line with the invaluable service they provide in our communities,” Ms Parsons said.

Our first day of taking it to the streets! Sara Donald and I spent a couple of hours talking to the good citizens of Swansea this morning (Saturday). Definitely a lot more people are giving real consideration to voting Green for the first time - Vote 1 Greens in the Senate!

Media Release: Labor needs to include an interim carbon tax!

Phillipa Parsons, Greens candidate for Shortland today urged local Labor MP Jill Hall to pressure her party to include the Greens interim carbon tax proposal in any election announcement on climate change.
“We know the community wants strong action on climate change and Prime Minister Julia Gillard needs to seriously consider the Greens proposed interim carbon tax before the election,” said Ms Parsons.
“I believe that people are sick of both major parties debating this issue as if Australia had a choice and I call on Jill Hall to lobby Prime Minister Gillard to back the Greens proposed carbon tax. We cannot afford to delay action on reducing Australia’s carbon emissions until 2013,” she said.

“Under the Greens' proposal, a carbon tax would currently collect $23 per tonne, and would stay in place until an effective Emissions Trading Scheme has been developed and is in place. Indeed, a Climate Institute report released this week shows the Greens' policy of a carbon tax will save households and businesses money as power costs soar, helped by federal government and opposition inaction,” said Ms Parsons.

“Shortland has many people and families vulnerable to rising power costs and Labor’s CPRS would have punished them instead of rewarding them for changing to renewable energy. We need a scheme that makes polluters pay, not households. The Greens would invest the money raised from a carbon tax in renewable energy and energy efficiency schemes to grow our low carbon economy and create new jobs.

“As a coastal electorate, Shortland has many areas that are vulnerable to the effects of a changing climate and sea level rise. It is imperative that Labor has interim measures in place to move Australia to a lower emissions economy whilst debating a long term solution and the Greens’ carbon tax serves that purpose,” she said.