21 July 2002

Greens buoyed by huge surge for Greens in Tasmania

Green Co-leaders Rod Donald and Jeanette Fitzsimons today said the Greens were buoyed by news that the Green Party in Tasmania had surged to take 18.2 per cent of the vote in the Tasmanian State elections.

Campaigning hard on the protection of old growth forests the Greens increased their vote from 10.2 per cent at the last election, outpolling the Liberals around Hobart and winning a seat in four of the five electorates.

"Going into the last week of our own campaign we have taken a big lift from the massive performance of our Tasmanian counterparts," said Mr Donald.

"The collapse of the conservative right vote and the strong rise of the Greens mirrors what is happening in New Zealand as more and more people take on board the Green message of a clean, green environment, healthy people, safe food and a sustainable economy."

Jeanette Fitzsimons said just as the Tasmanian Green Party's campaign to save old growth forests has resonated with voters, the New Zealand Green Party's determination to keep GE in the lab and out of our food and environment was striking a real chord.

"Above all what this big result in Tasmania shows is that the time has come for the Green message. Around the world, and here in New Zealand, people are sick of the politics of yesterday and are looking to the Greens for genuine leadership on some really serious issues," she said.

"We congratulate our Tasmanian counterparts on their deserved result. We look forward to celebrating with them in under one week's time."

NOTE: Tasmanian Green Senator Bob Brown will be in New Zealand to attend the Green campaign closing on Thursday 25 July in Christchurch. Senator Brown will be available for media interviews on Thursday.

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