Russel Norman Wins Green Co-Leadership Contest

Saturday, 3 June 2006, 7:49 pm
Article: Kevin List

Russel Norman Wins Green Party Co-Leadership Contest

This afternoon one of the backroom boys of the Green Party stepped out into the limelight and a grilling by the media as to how a non-MP would work as the new Green Party Co-leader.

Australian import but now proud Kiwi Russel Norman beat current Green MP Nandor Tanczos, former MP Mike Ward and Auckland academic Dave Clendon to fill the role left vacant following former co-leader Rod Donald's death late last year.

Mr Norman stuck to two key messages during his speech at the annual Green Party conference - messages that seemd to resonate with the delegates – Climate Change and Transport.

Mr Norman's closest rival for the co-leader's position Nandor Tanczos possibly didn't enhance his chances by veering off into a philosophical argument as to whether the Green Party was 'Green-Wing' (a new semantic term suggesting a shift away from the traditional right and left wing political axis).

Of the other candidates Auckland academic Dave Clendon came across as likable but failed to set the room on fire with his emphasis on Green Party members being conservative with a small c.

Former MP Mike Ward was plagued by microphone difficulties throughout his speech and the question and answer session that followed it later. Mr Ward's emphasis on less negativity - especially in press releases and his esoteric emphasis on the power of art made his message seem muddled when his microphone was actually working properly.

After winning the party's male co-leader position Mr Norman made a graceful acceptance speech and later on cleared up a mystery as to whether the Greens would be snuggling up with Dr Brash and the National Party.

Despite firing a broadside at Labour for the recent billion dollar 'roads budget' Mr Norman emphasised the difficulty of the Greens working with a party led by a 'climate change denier' – as Mr Norman described Dr Don Brash.

Some Green Party fashion – from casual chic to urban bohemian to bow-tie dapper

Listen to the Green Party male co-leader candidates speeches

Scoop Streaming Audio: Mike Ward 03.06.06

Click here to download file (mp3)

Scoop Streaming Audio: Nandor Tanczos 03.06.06

Click here to download file (mp3)

Scoop Streaming Audio: Dave Clendon 03.06.06

Click here to download file (mp3)

Scoop Streaming Audio: Russel Norman 03.06.06

Click here to download file (mp3)

ENDS

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