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Darren E
Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 2075
Location: Dagun, Qld
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 Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 6:07 am Post subject: BT 10-3-09 No Traveston Deal for Green Preferences |
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Brisbane Times
Tuesday 10th March 2009
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/articles/2009/03/10/1236447192990.html
| Quote: | Traveston firmly off the table for Green preferences: ALP
The Australian Labor Party (ALP) refuses to consider scrapping the Traveston Dam in order to receive Greens preferences during the state election, senior Greens campaigner Drew Hutton said this morning.
This was confirmed by ALP state secretary Anthony Chisholm.
"Absolutely. The water security for South East Qeensland is far too important for that," Mr Chisholm said.
The large dam, at Traveston Crossing just south of Gympie, remains a major sticking point in the talks between the ALP and The Greens over the allocation of Greens preferences.
Polls suggest the March 21 election will be extremely close, with Greens preferences likely to be influential in about 10 seats, particularly in South East Queensland and on the Sunshine Coast.
The Liberal National Party (LNP) has rejected preference talks with The Greens, but the ALP refuses to consider The Greens' demand that it scrap the Traveston Dam, Mr Hutton said.
"The Traveston Dam was one of the issues, it was originally raised by us and they have consistently rejected it," he said.
"We have been putting up escaping the dam as one of the issues and they have said, 'No'," he said.
"They will talk to us and have been talking to us, but at this stage we have not achieved a breakthrough on that.
"We are still trying. The Traveston Dam is still one of the issues we are raising with them, but we have not made any breakthroughs on that."
He confirmed that the LNP had walked out on preferences talks with the Greens, despite their promise to scrap the Traveston Dam if elected.
"The LNP actually refused to talk to us when I started raising environmental issues with them," Mr Hutton said.
But he said yesterday's announcement that a LNP government would allow uranium mining also ruled the possibility of formal Greens' preferences going to the party.
Under Queensland's "optional" preferential voting system, voters can choose to direct their own preferences, or follow "how to vote" cards issued by the major parties which suggest preferences.
In the seat of Indooroopilly (2.7 per cent margin), The Greens sole MP, Ronan Lee, will face a tough task to win against LNP candidate Scott Emerson without ALP preferences.
While the Greens will not list preferences in this seat, Mr Chisholm declined to outline the issues being debated for Mr Lee to win ALP preferences to boost his chances over Mr Emerson.
Mr Chisholm said he believed preferences talks would be finalised "by the end of this week."
Meanwhile dozens of Mary Valley families and supporters are expected to travel to Brisbane on Saturday to raise the profile of the Traveston Crossing Dam.
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Well, that should be it, then. Here is what Ronan Lee said on Feb 21, two days before the election was announced:
| Quote: | Mr Lee said a September poll would give Ms Bligh six months to get its ``greenhouse'' in order and satisfy voters that Labor was serious about environmental issues.
``But if she goes early, then we would make a judgment based on what she has done,'' Mr Lee said.
``What we have clearly said up to this point is that it is a disappointing Government on the environment, more spin than policy.''
He said before a preference deal could be contemplated, the Government would need to ``back down'' on the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam. |
And here is what Bob Brown said on the same day:
| Quote: | | You would want to see the ink dry on the paper with Premier Bligh's signature on it, absolutely putting an end to the Traveston Dam. |
Let's hope they meant it.
_________________
"If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything" - anon.
"There can be no liberty for a community which lacks the means by which to detect lies" - Walter Lippman |
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bensoncooroy
Joined: 28 Jun 2006
Posts: 223
Location: Ridgewood
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:47 am Post subject: Greens and preferencing ALP |
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"Queensland's sole Greens MP Ronan Lee, who defected from Labor last year, said his party was seeking to trade preferences with Labor in 12 seats, which could prove crucial in tight races."
Ninemsn. sydney
This came from Google alert this evening . |
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Darren E
Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 2075
Location: Dagun, Qld
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:26 pm Post subject: |
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The Australian
Tuesday 10th March 2009
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25166966-5006786,00.html
| Quote: | Greens likely to preference the ALP
THE Greens are expected to preference Labor in about 12 seats in the March 21 Queensland election.
The party's sole Queensland MP Ronan Lee said the Greens would not give any preferences to the Liberal National Party (LNP) because of its poor environmental policies, in particular the LNP's recently announced support for uranium mining.
"We will not be preferencing to the Liberal National Party in one single seat in this state election,'' Mr Lee told reporters in Brisbane today.
Mr Lee, who defected from the ALP last year over its environmental credentials, said there were ongoing discussions between the Greens and Labor over preferences.
He said about a dozen seats were being discussed but he would not be preferencing Labor in his western Brisbane seat of Indooroopilly.
"I left the Labor Party and became a Green. I don't think it is appropriate to be preferencing Labor in the seat of Indooroopilly,'' Mr Lee said.
''(But) we want and need Labor preferences in Indooroopilly but we also need to see a stronger commitment to the environment.''
He said he would like Labor to move towards the World Heritage listing of Cape York, abolish loopholes in the tree clearing legislation and commit to renewable energy.
The Greens are expected to finalise their preferences by Friday. |
_________________
"If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything" - anon.
"There can be no liberty for a community which lacks the means by which to detect lies" - Walter Lippman |
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Darren E
Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 2075
Location: Dagun, Qld
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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Gympie Times
Wednesday 11th March 2009
http://www.gympietimes.com.au/story/2009/03/11/gibson-slams-greens/
| Quote: | Gibson slams Greens
GYMPIE MP David Gibson yesterday blasted a "Labor-infected Green Party" for threatening to abandon the Traveston Crossing dam issue, over concerns on uranium mining.
Mr Gibson, who is also LNP Sustainability spokesperson, said the Greens had been "infected" by ex-Labor MP Ronan Lee, who this week threatened to direct Green preferences to Labor.
A furious Mr Gibson said the LNP’s uranium mining policy was nothing new and would make no environmental difference to Queensland, Australia or the world.
He said it was in line with Labor policies in the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia, where uranium is mined for export, under licenses allowed by Labor federal governments.
"I’d like to know the views of people like Bob Brown or Queensland Greens like Larissa Waters, who have previously stood shoulder to shoulder with the LNP and the people of the Mary Valley in opposing the dam.
"The federal Greens have been good friends in this fight. It is disappointing that Ronan Lee has now chosen to sell out to Labor.
"In Parliament, Ronan Lee voted in support of the Traveston Crossing dam.
"It is obvious he’s been looking for an excuse to preference Labor.
"We are up front in our policy. Labor allows exploration permits and then pretends it won’t allow mining. I think they have a hidden agenda," he said.
"The Greens have been our allies for two-and-a-half years in the fight against the dam, but since Ronan Lee has infected the Greens, not defected to them, we see the Greens backing Labor. The only endangered species Ronan Lee cares about is Ronan Lee," he said.
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"If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything" - anon.
"There can be no liberty for a community which lacks the means by which to detect lies" - Walter Lippman |
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Darren E
Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 2075
Location: Dagun, Qld
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:30 pm Post subject: |
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Gympie Times
Thursday 12th March 2009
http://www.gympietimes.com.au/story/2009/03/11/lnps-dam-hypocrisy/
| Quote: | Lnp's 'dam hypocrisy'
QUEENSLAND Greens MP Ronan Lee hit back yesterday at LNP claims that his party has abandoned the Mary Valley by indicating preference support for Labor in some electorates, potentially ensuring that the Traveston Crossing dam remains on government program.
“The Greens are 100 per cent opposed to the dam,” Mr Lee said yesterday. “We will get Green MPs elected and we will use our numbers to oppose the dam.”
He claimed the LNP (led by Gympie MP David Gibson as its chief negotiator) had refused to preference Greens and probably blown the chance to defeat Labor in crucial heartland electorates, “Mt Coot-the (held by Treasurer Andrew Fraser) and South Brisbane (held by Premier Anna Bligh)”.
He denied The Gympie Times headline yesterday that he had “dumped the dam” and said Mr Gibson had refused for party political reasons to preference the Greens.
“The LNP made the decision not to discuss preference deals with the Greens when we raised a range of environmental concerns,” he said.
Referring to Mr Gibson's “tirade and hypocrisy” in yesterday's issue of the paper, he accused the Gympie MP of “trying to misuse community concerns about the dam for crass political purposes.
“There are 13 dam proposals in Queensland, of which the LNP supports 12.
“We are not a single issue party,” he said, explaining that other environmental issues (including other dams and uranium mining) were also important.
Mr Gibson's claim that the Greens had dumped the dam issue was based on Mr Lee's statement to ABC Coast FM this week that the LNP would not get any Greens preferences at the March 21 Queensland election, but Labor might get some. “It is at this stage likely that we will be suggesting Labor in some specific seats,” he said.
Noosa Independent candidate and ex-MP Cate Molloy yesterday called for the Greens to “come to their senses over any thoughts of a preference deal with Labor on the issue of uranium.
“Uranium mining is open slather in this country and supported by the federal Labor Government," she said. |
_________________
"If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything" - anon.
"There can be no liberty for a community which lacks the means by which to detect lies" - Walter Lippman |
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stevem
Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 814
Location: Ridgewood
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:30 pm Post subject: |
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Sweetheart deal to support The Greens' Ronan Lee
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25173978-5018787,00.html
By Steven Wardill
March 12, 2009
| Quote: | QUEENSLAND Labor is set to risk an internal backlash by announcing the party will support Indooroopilly defector Ronan Lee in a preference deal.
The Courier-Mail has learnt Labor will support Mr Lee in exchange for Greens preferences in 12 key seats the party hopes to retain in a bid to cling to power.
Some of the seats Labor has included in the deal indicate concerns over significant swings, such as outgoing Education Minister Rod Welford's safe seat of Everton in northern Brisbane.
However, Labor has failed to secure a preference deal for other marginal electorates, such as Climate Change Minister Andrew McNamara's knife-edge contest in Hervey Bay.
Senior Greens sources on Tuesday night claimed they had also wrung significant environmental concessions out of Labor, including plugging tree-clearing legislation loopholes and a greater commitment towards renewable energy.
"We have managed to turn the election on to the important issues of the environment and green jobs," the source said.
Labor seats to get preferences include Whitsunday, Pumicestone, Redlands and Southport, a seat with a margin of 7.9 per cent that is the tipping point for the Liberal National Party to push Anna Bligh from majority rule.
The decision to include Everton, which has a margin of 10.2 per cent, comes after a significant swing against Labor in this area at last year's Brisbane City Council election, particularly in the ward of Enoggera.
The Government's promise to build a single children's hospital in South Brisbane also is believed to be hurting Labor in northern Brisbane.
As well as Hervey Bay, other marginal Labor seats that will not get preferences include Mudgeeraba and Springwood.
The Greens ruled out preference deals in all Sunshine Coast seats because of the Traveston Dam issue, as well as Townsville where local branches believe Labor was undeserving.
After an internal policy change, Greens negotiators have had far more influence than in past years when they could only make recommendations for preference deals to their branches that were sometimes not followed.
With preferences, the Greens are confident they can win Indooroopilly by finishing second ahead of Labor's Sarah Warner, who only recently moved into the electorate and is registered to vote at her father in-law's home. |
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westholme
Joined: 02 May 2006
Posts: 2628
Location: Amamoor
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| Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 1:38 am Post subject: |
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Quote GT article LNP's Dam Hypocrisy
| Quote: | | “The Greens are 100 per cent opposed to the dam,” Mr Lee said yesterday. “We will get Green MPs elected and we will use our numbers to oppose the dam.” |
HOW? Opposing it is not stopping it! So, tell me, HOW can a couple extra Green MP's in parliament 'stop' the dam? It can't. They can only argue endlessly about it with an obstinate Bligh Government. If it could be 'stopped' by MP's in parliament then LNP MP's and Ronan Lee (after he defected) would have stopped it already.
As far as stopping the dam in parliament is concerned, well, like a bacon and egg sandwich.....the pig is committed.
Supposing the C-G will approve the dam, which he unofficially has, then a change of government is the only way to stop it at a state level. The Greens should step back. If the Greens haven't got the gonads to help change the gov, then step back, vote 1 Greens, and let the voters change the government.
And why would the Labor gov take the Greens MP's seriously anyway. By dumping the dam in favour of preference deals in the election, the Greens are proving to Labor and Bligh that they can be bought on the TC Dam issue. Proving that their opposition to the dam is halfhearted and weak.
Quote The Australian article Greens Likely to Preference Labor
| Quote: | | The party's sole Queensland MP Ronan Lee said the Greens would not give any preferences to the Liberal National Party (LNP) because of its poor environmental policies, in particular the LNP's recently announced support for uranium mining. |
And what about Labor's poor environmental policies? Whatever LNP can do Labor can do better, on bad environmental policy. Why is LNP's poor environmental policy a deal breaker, but with Labor's poor environmental policy it is a deal maker?
Oh, I know, because many Greens politicians aren't for the environment, they are for using the environment to gain seats in parliament. It is their entire goal and they'll step on anyone or any endangered species, who might get in their way.
Greens candidates should be announcing VOTE 1 across the bloody state. Stand by what you preach. Don't preference anyone. It will enter the party into a whole new era. It will gain itself fabulous respect from voters who actually may consider supporting the Greens in the future because they appear so staunch in their view that when something is wrong it is WRONG! Not when something is wrong it can be swept under the carpet in the name of self serving political advancement.
Quote from GT's LNP dam Hypocrisy
| Quote: | Referring to Mr Gibson's “tirade and hypocrisy” in yesterday's issue of the paper, he accused the Gympie MP of “trying to misuse community concerns about the dam for crass political purposes.
“There are 13 dam proposals in Queensland, of which the LNP supports 12.
“We are not a single issue party,” he said, explaining that other environmental issues (including other dams and uranium mining) were also important.
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Well that twisted rhetoric never get's tired. We heard this same old thing from Greens at the last election.
LNP have dams, Labor has dams....so, don't preference either. LNP have uranium mining, Labor have uranium mining permits..how long before they were going to start uranium mining, you don't issue permits for shits and giggles?.....so, don't preference either party.
What's good for the goose is good for the gander. What the Greens can say about LNP, can be said about Labor too...if they weren't biased.
My only hope is that people who traditionally vote for the Greens, can ignore the political aspirations of some of their candidates and simply VOTE 1 in the booth. And if Green candidates won't get the message out there to vote 1, then it is up to the Green voters themselves, those who know of the Dam, spread the word amoungst themselves that a Labor preference vote means a vote for Traveston. And that would be against everything most Green voters stand for.
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CESARE LOMBROSO "The ignorant man always adores what he cannot understand" |
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westholme
Joined: 02 May 2006
Posts: 2628
Location: Amamoor
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| Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:09 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Greens preferences revealed; ALP in deep trouble
March 12, 2009 – 6:00 am, by Mark Bahnisch
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/electioncentral/2009/03/12/greens-preferences-revealed/
The Greens will be preferencing Labor in 14 seats: Ashgrove, Aspley, Barron River, Broadwater, Cleveland, Everton, Gaven, Greenslopes, Mansfield, Pumicestone, Redcliffe, Redlands, Southport and Whitsunday.
The allocations will be announced at a press conference this morning. Pineapple Party Time is able to report the full list of seats before it’s published in the MSM.
Labor will direct preferences to The Greens in 1 seat - Indooroopilly. Labor will also pledge to list Cape York as a World Heritage Area, tighten land clearing laws and agree to renewable energy measures.
The demand for Traveston Dam to be cancelled has been dropped. The Greens argue that Ronan Lee will press for this if he holds the balance of power.
The Greens considered asking for the introduction of proportional representation in local government, which would almost certainly have led to a foothold in quite a few councils. It would have also been consistent with their commitment to a fairer electoral system.
But they decided not to press this demand, preferring to request preferences for Ronan Lee in Indooroopilly.
Negotiations with the LNP had broken down before Lawrence Springborg made his announcement about uranium mining.
The list of seats in which the ALP are receiving preferences comes from the Labor negotiators. It’s an obvious inference to make that Labor is worried about all these seats falling to the LNP. Some are something of a surprise - particularly those in Brisbane. Note that Labor’s list was longer than 14, and there are some seats where local Greens members wouldn’t countenance direction of preferences. Preferences won’t have been sought where that’s the case, or where The Greens don’t have sufficient strength electorally or on the ground to make an allocation meaningful.
The list certainly suggests a larger swing than has so far shown up in the public polls. Some seats with lower margins than the ones stipulated have obviously been written off. Labor’s private polling must be indicating an LNP majority, or at least the possibility of one driven by a much higher LNP primary vote in Brisbane than so far envisaged.
Mansfield, Ashgrove, Everton and Greenslopes have Labor margins of 8.4%, 8.5%, 10.6% and 11.3% respectively. Until recently the assumption was that most Labor seats in Brisbane over 5% were holding. This announcement implies that there are seats held by double that margin in the first line of defence against the LNP. This is a “saving the furniture” strategy, not an election winning one.
Conversely, though, the swing must be spotty. Bonny Barry must still be in with a chance in Aspley (3.4%) while caucus colleagues on thicker margins are tipped to fall. On the Gold Coast, however, the two seats where preferences are being allocated are the ones that were supposed to be out of the LNP’s range.
Some Greens are disappointed by the focus on re-electing Lee at all costs - partly because it doesn’t appear all that likely to work, partly because council pr would be a better bet long term, and partly because a “Just Vote One Greens” strategy might have more of an impact in lifting their vote.
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Good to hear that some Greens genuinely wanted the Vote 1 strategy. Good on you!! Wish there was more of you around!!
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CESARE LOMBROSO "The ignorant man always adores what he cannot understand" |
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Darren E
Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 2075
Location: Dagun, Qld
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| Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:39 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | The party's sole Queensland MP Ronan Lee said the Greens would not give any preferences to the Liberal National Party (LNP) because of its poor environmental policies, in particular the LNP's recently announced support for uranium mining. |
| Quote: | | Negotiations with the LNP had broken down before Lawrence Springborg made his announcement about uranium mining. |
Which is true, Ronan?
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"If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything" - anon.
"There can be no liberty for a community which lacks the means by which to detect lies" - Walter Lippman |
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stevem
Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 814
Location: Ridgewood
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| Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 11:28 pm Post subject: |
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Greens give ALP edge in 14 key seats
Sean Parnell, Queensland political reporter
March 13, 2009
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25179299-2702,00.html
| Quote: | THE Queensland Greens have struck an extraordinary preferences deal that will give Labor a boost in 14 must-win seats and help Labor defector Ronan Lee in his bid to become the state's first elected Greens MP.
In a highly cynical move, the Greens will recommend their voters give a second preference to Labor in 10 of the 15 seats it holds on a margin of less than 8 per cent: Whitsunday, Cleveland, Aspley, Gaven, Barron River, Redcliffe, Pumicestone, Broadwater, Redlands and Southport.
The minor party will also lend Labor a hand in Mansfield and Ashgrove, along with Everton and Greenslopes, two safe Labor seats where MPs are retiring.
The deal comes despite the Greens' state council last year advocating its branches use a Just Vote One strategy at the election, and Labor refusing to budge on the Traveston Dam project, which the Greens have opposed and was supposedly one of the reasons behind Mr Lee's defection last year.
Although the Liberal National Party vowed to scrap the dam if it won government and met the Greens' requirement for a strong renewable energy policy, the parties did not even enter negotiations on a preferences deal.
LNP leader Lawrence Springborg said the deal undermined both the Greens' and Mr Lee's credibility.
The most shameless part of the deal is Labor recommending its voters back Mr Lee second in the seat of Indooroopilly in the hope he can hold off a challenge from the LNP's Scott Emerson.
Labor would lose its majority in parliamentary with the loss of 14 seats, while the LNP needs to win 20 seats to win government in its own right.
Premier Anna Bligh yesterday expressed disappointment that the Greens were not preferencing in more seats, given what she regarded as the Government's strong environmental record.
As for Labor supporting Mr Lee, a Labor turncoat who stole a seat from the Government before the election was even called, Ms Bligh said she would rather preferences "go to him than the Liberal National Party, which would be very bad for Queensland".
"I'll be happy if the Labor Party wins Indooroopilly; that's what I'm aiming for," the Premier said.
It remains to be seen how important preferences will be at this election, given Queensland has optional preferential voting. At the last election, in 2006, only 28 of the 89 seats were won on preferences.
Labor will again promote a Just Vote One campaign, except in Indooroopilly, as will the LNP, which no longer has to worry about three-cornered contests and wants to win on primary votes alone.
While the LNP stands to leak primary votes in seats contested by popular independents or One Nation, former Opposition frontbencher Stuart Copeland is not doing any preference deals in Condamine, nor is One Nation founder Pauline Hanson in Beaudesert.
However, the LNP may benefit from the Greens' decision not to preference Labor in the seats the party notionally holds after the redistribution, but have LNP members as the incumbents, or in the marginal Labor seats of Hervey Bay, Mudgeeraba, Springwood and Toowoomba North.
Greens spokesman Drew Hutton said the party remained opposed to Traveston Dam but had agreed to preference Labor "on the basis of expected strong policy commitments to the environment from Labor over the coming days".
Other preferencing decisions will be revealed when how-to-vote cards are lodged with the Electoral Commission of Queensland today.
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| Quote: | | Although the Liberal National Party vowed to scrap the dam if it won government and met the Greens' requirement for a strong renewable energy policy, the parties did not even enter negotiations on a preferences deal. |
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westholme
Joined: 02 May 2006
Posts: 2628
Location: Amamoor
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| Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 11:39 pm Post subject: |
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Another example of the Greens using the uranium mining issue as a reason why they didn't give their preferences to LNP.
A bit of a con considering that LNP walked out of a meeting with Greens and refused to even talk with them about preferences.
Greens just have stung pride because LNP didn't want to give them the attention they wanted. Didn't want to play games.
| Quote: | Greens don't know who to back
12:00a.m. 13th March 2009
| By Nikkii Joyce
http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2009/mar/13/greens-dont-know-who-back/
A Sunshine Coast Greens candidate says the party is in a pickle over deciding between “tweedledee or tweedledum” as premier in the event of an election tie.
The Greens are opposed to an alliance with Labor because of its determination to proceed with the Traveston dam, and with the LNP because of leader Lawrence Springborg’s announcement he would consider the return of uranium mining.
Glass House Greens candidate Jenny Fitzgibbon said Labor had been vocal about its refusal to negotiate on the Traveston dam project.
“Now he (Springborg) is talking about bringing back uranium mining ... it really is like a choice between tweedledee or tweedledum,” she said.
The Greens decided yesterday to preference Labor in only 14 seats statewide, but Ms Fitzgibbon encouraged supporters to make their own informed choice.
In 1998, Nicklin’s independent current member Peter Wellington was called upon to end a hung parliament and gave Peter Beattie the nod.
Mr Wellington said he had “never” directed preferences.
“What I say to people, is if they can’t give me number one, I have always asked if they can give me number two,” he said.
Daylight Saving 4 South East Queensland’s candidate for Caloundra, Dr John Fogarty, said his party’s line on preferences was expected shortly.
Family First’s Buderim candidate, Cathy Turner, said the LNP would get their preference. |
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Bligh tight-lipped on Robertson's future
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/12/2514808.htm?site=idx-qld
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has promised sweeping changes to her cabinet if she is re-elected, but still will not comment on Health Minister Stephen Robertson's political future.
She says only Treasurer Andrew Fraser and Deputy Premier Paul Lucas are assured of their positions if Labor wins next week's election.
"There are no guarantees of any certainty in relation to any other positions," she said.
The LNP is calling on Ms Bligh to sack Mr Robertson immediately because of the controversy over unrepaired accommodation for nurses working in the Torres Strait.
"She should be presenting Stephen Robertson's head on a plate," Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said.
Ms Bligh says the Minister and his director-general should have known the work was not complete, but will not say what Mr Robertson's future holds.
"I don't intend to speculate on individuals. I don't intend to speculate on individual portfolios," she said.
The responsibility for health housing has been transferred to the public works department.
Hung parliament hopes
The Greens predict their preferences will help Labor avoid total defeat next week.
The party will recommend their voters preference the ALP in 14 seats, none of them around the Traveston Crossing Dam.
Spokesman Drew Hutton says the deal was made in return for more environmental policies to come, and for Labor preferences in Indooroopilly, where former ALP member Ronan Lee hopes to be re-elected as a Greens MP.
"I think we will make it much easier to see a hung parliament," Mr Hutton said.
"That would be the best thing for the people of Queensland. A hung parliament means that there's a green voice in there."
Mr Springborg says he is not surprised to be getting no Greens preferences.
"A vote for the Greens is a vote for the Labor Party," he said.
"You've got two Labor parties over there and the LNP on this side."
But the ALP says it is disappointed it is only getting Greens preferences in 14 seats.
Those seats are Ashgrove, Aspley, Barron River, Broadwater, Cleveland, Everton, Gaven, Greenslopes, Mansfield, Pumicestone, Redcliffe, Redlands, Southport and Whitsunda |
Quote above article;
| Quote: | The Greens predict their preferences will help Labor avoid total defeat next week.
The party will recommend their voters preference the ALP in 14 seats, none of them around the Traveston Crossing Dam.
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So, the Greens are actually hoping Labor win's. Then they have no right to ever expect anyone beleives them when they say they don't want the dam. What a cruel hoax.
Quote above article;
| Quote: | | Spokesman Drew Hutton says the deal was made in return for more environmental policies to come, and for Labor preferences in Indooroopilly, where former ALP member Ronan Lee hopes to be re-elected as a Greens MP. |
Oh yeah? Like after the last election when they betrayed the Greens on Wild Rivers, amoungst others. They gave preferences in return for policies that never eventuated during Labor's last term. How can they be so foolish and gullible.
Thanks for your help building the dam Greens. 
_________________
CESARE LOMBROSO "The ignorant man always adores what he cannot understand" |
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stevem
Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 814
Location: Ridgewood
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| Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:32 am Post subject: |
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Can the Greens assure potential voters, if they help re-elect Labor, that the government's position will not be reversed.
There seems to have been a "flirtation" with uranium mining in QLD in the not so distant past .......
Beattie Does U Turn on Water-Hungry Uranium Industry
Friday, 23 March 2007
http://www.qccqld.org.au/Beattie-Does-U-Turn-on-Water-Hungry-Uranium-Industry.html
| Quote: | Premier Beattie has broken a clear election promise by supporting an expansion of uranium mining in Queensland, according to QLD nuclear-free groups.
‘In September 2006, just prior to the last State election, the ALP was unequivocal on uranium mining. They did not support the development of a uranium industry in Queensland - full stop,’ said Toby Hutcheon, Coordinator of Queensland Conservation (QCC).
The mining and milling of uranium ore uses massive amounts of water. Roxby Downs in South Australia uses up to 42 million litres per day, most of that water then becomes contaminated and unusable for any other purpose.
‘This U-turn by the Premier on uranium mining must prompt the question - why is the government supporting a water-hungry industry at a time of unprecedented drought and the growing impacts of climate change?’ said Hutcheon.
Premier Beattie's U-turn fails to take account of a whole raft of issues that have serious repercussions for Queensland. |
Queensland softens its stance on uranium mining
http://www.minterellison.com/public/connect/Internet/Home/Legal+Insights/Newsletters/Previous+Newsletters/A-B-National+Uranium+roundup#QLD
| Quote: | Despite the Premier and Deputy Premier of Queensland reaffirming the government's policy of not approving uranium mining tenements in Queensland, there appears to have been an underlying softening of this stance.
The government has claimed its motivation for retaining this policy is the preservation of the Queensland coal industry and the development of clean coal technologies. Interestingly, its opposition to uranium mining did not feature in government policies released during the recent state election.
The Queensland Resources Council (which represents all major coal interests in the state) has criticised the policy and its rationale. Most exported Queensland coal is coking coal for steel-making, which does not compete with other electricity generation fuel sources.
A change in Labor's national uranium mining policy is a precondition for state government reforms and to that end, Bill Ludwig, State Secretary and National President of the Australian Workers Union and consistent supporter of uranium mining in Queensland, together with Martin Ferguson, Shadow Resources Minister, will drive the agenda for change in March 2007.
Recent corporate activities in the Qld uranium sector include:
* Mega Uranium Ltd, the Toronto-based exploration company acquired Future Metals and Energy Limited, an unlisted public company with 11 exploration tenements in North Queensland. Mega now owns all known uranium interests in the Georgetown region of Queensland. It's acquisition drive also included Hindmarsh Resources Limited and Redport Limited
* Lagoon Creek Resources has gained concessions from the state government on the proposed declaration of Settlement Creek as a Wild River, preserving access to its exploration interests in the Westmoreland uranium deposit in North West Queensland. This process has clarified the state government's intent and eased industry concerns about the Wild Rivers regime
* Paladin Resources was successful in its A$200 million takeover bid for Valhalla Uranium, potentially gaining access to the Isa uranium joint venture with Summit Resources, subject to resolution of a dispute between the joint venturers. |
Powerful unions support uranium mining:
http://www.erisk.net/erisk6/article/457351/qld
| Quote: | | AWU powerbroker Bill Ludwig said that if someone wanted to open a uranium mine in Queensland, the AWU would be there to "dig it up". "We are supportive of uranium mining, no question," he said. "People have to get their energy from somewhere." |
Cate Molloy appeals to Greens to come to their senses over preferences
http://www.mysunshinecoast.com.au/articles/article-display/cate-molloy-appeals-to-greens-to-come-to-their-senses-over-preferences,13241
| Quote: | The Independent Candidate for Noosa today appealed to the Greens to come to their senses over any thoughts of a preference deal with Labor over the issue of uranium and nuclear power.
For the Greens to entertain any thought of preferencing Labor over the issue of uranium mining would be an absolute act of folly, Ms Molloy claimed today.
"I appeal to the Greens to come their senses and not contradict the very principles they claim to stand for," said Cate Molloy.
"For years the ALP had a three mine policy and now uranium mining is open slather in this country and supported by the federal Labor Government," said Cate Molloy.
"If the Greens preference Labor because of regional opposition to uranium mining in Qld, they are simply turning a blind eye to ALP support of mining elsewhere," she said
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stevem
Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 814
Location: Ridgewood
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| Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 2:00 am Post subject: |
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Antony Greens Election blog has posted a very interesting analysis on the influence of Green preferences in the 2006 QLD and 2007 NSW election.
http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2009/03/green-preferenc.html
| Quote: | So overall, the 2006 Queensland results match my NSW findings, with Green preferences to Labor 13.6 percentage points higher when directed while the exhausted preferences were 12.3 percentage point lower.
Can this make a difference to the 2009 election? Yes it can. My analysis of which party was hurt by exhausted preferences in 2006 consistently shows up Labor being disadvanatged by as much as half a percentage point compared to their vote under compulsory preferential voting.
And if you just look at the raw numbers, a 13 percentage point difference in preference on a Green primary vote of 10% comes to about one percentage point difference in the final Labor 2PP vote. One percent matters in a close seat.
In 2006, Labor was well ahead of the Coalition on primary votes, so this disadvantage did not matter. In 2009, with Labor and the Coalition more likely to be level pegging, or where Labor may even trail on the primary vote, Labor will need every preference it can get to win.
Optional preferential voting advantages the party that leads on primary votes. If Labor falls behind in key seats in 2009, it wil need every Green preference it can to win after preferences. The decision to be announced today on Green preferences could be crucial to the election outcome. |
Another blog site discussing preference swaps -
http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/03/12/greens-preferences-allocated-labor-in-deep-trouble/ |
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westholme
Joined: 02 May 2006
Posts: 2628
Location: Amamoor
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| Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 11:45 pm Post subject: |
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Out of curiosity. Is Kent Hutton related to Drew Hutton?
| Quote: | Hutton won't follow party
Arthur Gorrie | 14th March 2009
http://www.gympietimes.com.au/story/2009/03/14/hutton-wont-follow-party/
EMBARRASSED Gympie Greens candidate Kent Hutton yesterday distanced himself from a preference deal which will see Greens candidates backing Labor and effectively supporting the Traveston Crossing dam proposal, in 14 electorates.
He joined anti-dam activists in urging Green voters to ignore their party's preference recommendations.
Mr Hutton's statement yesterday backs the position adopted by Save the Mary River Co-ordinating Group president Glenda Pickersgill, who yesterday urged people concerned about the dam to vote for “anyone but Labor”.
Mr Hutton said he was “extremely unhappy with the preference arrangement that the Greens preference negotiators finally came up with”.
He indicated that the party had been forced into the deal by concerns that it would need Labor preferences to hang onto the Indooroopilly electorate, held by the Green's only sitting MP, ex-Labor Member Ronan Lee.
“I know that the preference negotiators have been attempting to develop an arrangement with both major parties that would provide the opportunity to bolster their vote.
“It has to be acknowledged that the LNP have a position of supporting dams in other parts of the State and are climate change sceptics. They chose not to negotiate with the Greens. So, that was the end of that. Quite simply the LNP could have placed the Greens second on their How to Vote card in all of these 14 seats.
“Also, by having only the one Parliamentary house in Queensland, the Legislative Assembly, it leaves the minor parties out on a limb, forcing them to negotiate preference deals with the major parties in order to work toward progressive change - the change we so desperately need, implementing sustainable policies in this changing world.
“I hope that electors around the State vote according to their personal choice. They don't have to follow a party line. My policy is the same as the Save the Mary River Committee - vote and preference candidates that don't support the Traveston Dam proposal.”
They don't have to follow a party line
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CESARE LOMBROSO "The ignorant man always adores what he cannot understand" |
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stevem
Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 814
Location: Ridgewood
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| Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 3:27 am Post subject: |
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One of the biggest assets for any political party, or for any candidate, especially during election mode, is credibility. How many of our politicians 'talk the talk' but when the rubber hits the post electoral tarmac, fail to 'walk the walk"
For the past three years residents in the Mary Valley have battled at great cost, financially and emotionally, against the environmentally and scientifically flawed Traveston Crossing dam proposal. A fight where traditional foes like the Greens and the LNP united in their opposition, old political animosities put on hold.
In this election the Bligh/Beattie ALP government is under very close scrutiny by many QLD voters, their environmental, social and financial record, being put under the electoral microscope. This tired government is sitting like humpty dumpty, waiting for the wall to crumble.
Preference distributions will be critical, with many seats likely to be won or lost on their distribution. The LNP will need about 53% of the vote to form a new and fresh QLD government.
Why 53%?
Well Beattie and the ALP brains trust learnt many a trick from old adversary, Joh.
For the Greens this election is very much about credibility. No one in their wildest imagination would claim that they have any chance of forming a government, or of even winning a single seat in the new parliament. They do however have a big chance of being influential in environmental and social issues on the party that does win the favour of QLD voters.
Enter again......credibility!
The Greens have shown their hand by preferencing the ALP in 14 seats. A deal that is supposed to assist their, ex Labor candidate, Ronan Lee retain his Indooroopilly seat. A move that they openly state is also designed to assist the ALP win government.
The people in the Mary Valley have experienced first hand the political chicanery of this entrenched Beattie/Bligh government. Next Saturday their votes will flow to a party that will finally put an end to the travesty that is Traveston. Electoral sunshine for residents wanting to pick up the pieces and rebuild a shattered Mary Valley community.
With the Greens actively assisting the government and prolonging that agony, effectively stabbing a knife through an already wounded heart, many residents believe that they may have 'talked the talk', but when push comes to shove, have failed to 'walk the walk'.
A just Vote 1 Greens state wide strategy would have signalled to QLD voters, as well as to the ALP and the LNP, that they are a party above the usual political power games. That Traveston, as the joker in the pack, could not to be traded for pieces of eight. They may have earned themselves some major political 'browny' points through their success in helping to stop Traveston. Established a credibility with voters, just like those in the Mary Valley, finally becoming a political force that is able to cross the great political divide.
A re-elected Bligh government will see the fight to stop Traveston continue, in both state and federal parliaments. In the courts and through the media. Anti dam campaigners digging in until the dark cloud that is Traveston is blown away from the Mary Valley landscape.
I believe that a Ronan Lee and Drew Hutton, the Greens’ strategists, were delivered a personal message from the Mary Valley during yesterdays letter drop in Brisbane. If the unthinkable happens and the Mary’s waters flush the toilets in Brisbane suburbs such as Indooroopilly, one could argue that credibility has also been flushed with it.
Last edited by stevem on Sun Mar 15, 2009 11:14 am; edited 3 times in total |
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