Monday, May 28, 2007

MEDIA RELEASE: Climate change, public transport and cycling

Date: 27 May 2007

Peter Campbell has been preselected by the Greens to run against Petro Georgiou again for the seat of Kooyong. Campbell has previously stood in Kooyong in both the 2001 and 2004 Federal elections with the Green vote rising dramatically on both occasions.

“I am proud to run again for the Greens in Kooyong at a time that is vitally important for our future. I make a commitment to Kooyong residents that, if elected, I will vote in parliament for real and effective targets for dealing with climate change” Mr Campbell said.

“The science and economic impacts of climate change are now agreed, what we need now is urgent and effective measures to bring down our carbon emissions.” said Mr Campbell.

“Many people in the community are seriously concerned about climate change, the drought and living sustainably. I think these will be among the key issues for the upcoming election this year.” said Mr Campbell.

“It is most unfortunate that the Howard Government has refused to set targets for reducing carbon emissions, has only recently acknowledged climate change is real and is only supporting the coal industry rather than renewable energy.” Mr Campbell said.

“Labor's 2050 carbon emission targets are not much better. We need to introduce a target of reducing Australia’s greenhouse emissions to 30% below 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80% below by 2050.” said Mr Campbell.

Kooyong residents are also concerned about our inadequate public tranport with trains overcrowded and late and trams travelling at 15km due to our roads being choked by cars. I will work to ensure Federal funds are provided for improving our public transport. Giving people the option of reducing their car trips is also climate friendly.” Mr Campbell said.

“Cycling more often is also a great way we can reduce carbon emissions and get healthy, but we have a chronic shortage of funds for cycle trails and routes in Kooyong and across the country. I will address this issue as a priority” Mr Campbell said.

For more information and comment please contact Peter Campbell 0409 417 504

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Authorised by Peter Campbell, 377 Little Bourke St Melbourne 3000
Phone: 0419 417 504 email: kooyong@greens.org.au
www.greens.org.au

Peter Campbell, Greens candidate for Kooyong


Peter Campbell has lived in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs all his life. He attended Greythorn High School before undertaking his tertiary education at Latrobe University. Peter is married with 1 child and lives in Surrey Hills in an environmentally friendly renovated house that exports electricity to the grid from twenty solar panels and is self sufficient for water.



Peter works as an IT consultant, and enjoys bushwalking, climbing, kitesurfing, skiing and cycling. These outdoor activities have led him to be active on sustainability and conservation for over 20 years, including the protection of native forest and wilderness areas, the promotion of public transport and cycling, addressing climate change and promoting renewable energy. Peter believes that social justice issues such as education, health and employment conditions are intrinsically linked to environmental issues.

Peter’s local activities include:
  • Committee member and former chairperson of Friends of South Surrey Park.
  • Membership of the Boroondara Bicycle User Group and promotion of the proposed Eastern Rail Trail
  • Field Organiser with Bushwalkers Search and Rescue which assists Police with search and rescue activities throughout Victoria.
  • Local climate change campaigning and advocacy
  • Founder of Greenlivingpedia.org website for sharing information on sustainable living.

If elected to parliament, Peter will work to:
  • Take real action on climate change by setting goals for Kooyong to become carbon neutral and introducing a target of reducing Australia’s greenhouse emissions to 30% below 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80% below by 2050.
  • Secure Victoria’s water supply and protect endangered animals by stopping logging in water catchments and our ancient forests.
  • Create more childcare places in Kooyong.
  • Obtain Federal funding for more safe and convenient bicycle paths and routes for local and commuter use.
  • Uphold our freedom of speech, which is essential for democracy and human rights.
  • Secure Federal funding for improving public transport so that services are fast, reliable, frequent and well-connected.
Contact Peter Campbell via e-mail kooyong@greens.org.au or mobile 0409 417 504.

About Kooyong

Kooyong is an eastern inner metropolitan electorate covering an area of approximately 49 sq km stretching from Kew and Hawthorn in the west to Balwyn and Canterbury in the east, and from Balwyn North in the north to Hawthorn East and Camberwell in the south. Its suburbs include Balwyn, Balwyn North, Canterbury, Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Kew, Kew East and parts of Camberwell, Glen Iris and Surrey Hills.

For a more detailed map of the district, visit the Australian Electoral Commission's website

Additional information

Greens historical results in Kooyong:
  • 2004: 12.54 % - the 11th highest Green vote in Australia
  • 2001: 10.72 % - the 10th highest Green vote in Australia
  • 1994: 28.03% by election, Peter Singer

On 28 May The Age reported poll results of a swing to Labor in Victoria running at 10%, which would meant that if an election was held now the Liberals would lose Kooyong which is held by Petro Georgiou on 9.6%.

Sir Robert Menzies held seat for the Liberals from 1934 to 1966.