Queensland Greens state council says Bligh government has failed Queensland

The Queensland Greens state council, meeting in Brisbane this weekend, voted unanimously to recommend to its branches that they advocate a “just vote 1” strategy to voters at the next state election.

The decision was made because delegates felt the Bligh government had failed to come to grips with some of the key issues facing the electorate and had become arrogant, out of touch and uncaring.  At the 2006 election the Greens gave preferences to Labor in 22 seats and Greens preferences were crucial for Labor in 14 seats.

The Greens decision came as a Galaxy poll revealed Labor’s state primary vote had slipped to 43 per cent, the Coalition’s had risen to 42 per cent and the Greens were on 9 per cent.  This result, if replicated at the next state election, would make Greens preference vital to the outcome.

Greens voters are becoming more and more likely to give only a first preference vote to the Greens and then stopping.  At the Brisbane City Council elections in March, over 60 per cent of Greens voters exhausted.

Greens spokesperson, Libby Connors, said many Greens had high hopes when Anna Bligh had first taken over as premier but she had dashed their hopes with one misguided decision after another.

“Anna Bligh listens only to narrow vested interests,” Dr Connors said.  “She can’t say no to developers and there isn’t a beautiful piece of agricultural land where she wouldn’t put a dam or a coal mine.”

 Dr Connors indicated the Greens would be actively pursuing the government on policies such as the Traveston Dam, implementing the recommendations of David Solomon on FOI, renewable energy policy, Stolen Wages, environmental compliance by the mining industry, public transport provision, the taking over of green spaces by urban sprawl and inappropriate urban development such as Northbank and inner city high rise.

Contact:  Libby Connors 0429 487 110