2007 Federal Election
Kerrie Tucker, Greens Senate candidate for the ACT, thanks the people of Canberra for their support at the 2007 Federal Election:
"I congratulate Senator Humphries for retaining his seat, but regret that he chose to mislead the Canberra community about Greens policy in the process" Ms Tucker said today.
"This was an extremely close result, with a swing against the Liberal Party leaving it just over the Senate quota. For the Greens to receive almost 22% of the vote represents an increase of a third in our vote and evidence that the party is a serious and established political force in Canberra."
"The people of Canberra can look forward to a more balanced result at the next ACT election where the voting system supports a greater diversity."
"I personally found this campaign extremely rewarding and I am proud of the way the campaign team and all our hundreds of supporters brought such a positive and committed approach to the work. Through the campaign we had the opportunity to raise awareness of the issues of climate change and the abuse of our parliamentary system by the Coalition."
"It also gave us the chance to highlight the many positive opportunities that exist for making our world a better place. A wide range of people responded very positively to our campaign on that basis."
"While clearly Kevin Rudd's Labor is an improvement on John Howard's Government, we wait to see whether it brings back truth in government and responds responsibly to the crisis of climate change. The Greens in the Senate will be critical in holding it to account" Ms Tucker said.
From the election campaign:
At this year's federal election voters have two important decisions to make. Who will be Prime Minister? And who will control the Senate?
There are three possible outcomes: Howard's Coalition retains government and its Senate majority, with Family First as its backup. Rudd Labor wins government, but can't pass legislation (such as industrial relations reforms) through a a hostile, Howard-controlled Senate. Or, the Greens will gain the balance of power and the Senate will once again operate as a House of Review.
A vote for the Greens in the Senate is more important than ever this year.
Without Greens in the balance of power Australia could face a nuclear future and another decade of inaction on climate change. Without the Greens there will no chance to reform industrial relations laws, to prevent further degradation of the environment, to reduce the gap between rich and poor, or to restore Australia's commitment to human rights.
ACT Liberal Senator Gary Humphries has the Howard government's most vulnerable Senate seat. If just 9,586 voters change their minds at the next election, Greens candidate Kerrie Tucker could unseat the Coalition Senator and Rescue the Senate from Howard government control.
So please support the Greens' campaign to Rescue the Senate - because Labor can't.
Greens Candidates in this year's federal election:
Elena Kirschbaum (Senate)
Amanda Bresnan (Canberra)
Kerrie Tucker (Senate)
Meredith Hunter (Fraser)
