11 November 2001

Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons today congratulated the Australian Green Party on their strong showing in yesterday's Australian election.

"I have just talked to Green Senator Bob Brown, and he told me that he has kept his seat, and that the Greens have definitely won one more seat in the senate. There are two more states where the Greens might possibly win another seat when the results are finalised.

Overall the Green vote has doubled.

"The Australian Greens have taken a strong stance in support of humanitarian treatment of refugees, and against the heavy bombing in Afghanistan. I think their commitment to fair treatment for all people has struck a chord in an election campaign which has veered into anti-refugee hysteria."

"Senator Bob Brown spoke very movingly on Late Edition about the situation with the Tampa refugees, and I think many New Zealanders who saw that programme will understand why the Australian Greens have performed so well in this election."

Ms Fitzsimons said she also believed the swing to the Greens was indicative of the gathering support for the Green movement worldwide.

ENDS

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