Green Party Co-leader Rod Donald today announced that Ian Ewen-Street has been appointed as the "Musterer", replacing the traditional role of party whip.

"We're not into whipping in the Green Party," said Mr Donald. "But with seven MPs, five of them newcomers to Parliament, we will need somebody to make sure we're all heading in the same direction.

The Musterer will muster a full crew of Green MPs in the house for important bills and sit on the business committee, overseeing the running of parliament.

Ian Ewen-Street, number three on the party list and spokesperson for Agriculture, Education and Biosecurity, was the obvious choice for the job, said Mr Donald.

"It's a senior position recognising Ian's cool head and standing in the party," added Mr Donald. "As a former Outward Bound instructor, he has a real knowledge of how to pull a team together under pressure."

Mr Ewen-Street said his mustering experience on his organic 500 acre sheep and cattle farm should stand him in good stead for his new role.

"The title of Musterer reflects the co-operative way in which the Green MPs are going to work," said Mr Ewen-Street. "Whips are an archaic legacy of our colonial history. Changing the title is one small step towards changing the culture of Parliament."

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