Greens how to vote card for Kooyong

I have been getting some recent questions about Greens preferences. The first point I make is that we recommend to voters that they carefully choose where to place their second preference. Voting 1 Green sends a powerful message, and if I don't get elected then the vote flows at full value to the next preference chosen by the voter.

This is our "how to vote card" recommendation for Kooyong in this election, in the order of the ballot draw:

3. Harvey, Ken (Labor)
6. Laidler, John (Family First)
4. Georgiou, Petro (Liberal)
2. Collyer, David (Democrats)
5. Curtis, Pierre – (CEC)
1. Campbell, Peter - Greens

Remember, this is only our suggestion to you. We recommend that you choose carefully where your second and later preferences go after you vote 1 Green.

We have carefully examined the other party's policies. The Democrats have many policies that are very close to the Greens, such as emission targets for addressing climate change and mandating energy efficiency standards for example. Our how to vote card has the Democrats as number 2.

In Kooyong in the 2001 and 2004 elections we left it voters to choose whether their preference ended up with Labor or Liberal. We did this by issuing a "split ticket" how to vote card which had a "to Labor" option and a "to Liberal" option after voting 1 Green.

However, this election Labor has committed to 2050 emission reduction targets, to ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, and to a 20% renewable energy target by 2020. While they are still avoiding setting 2020 emission reduction targets, we think their policies on climate change are significantly better than the Coalition. Our how to vote card has Labor as number 3.

The Liberals are taking no real action on climate change this election and are supporting nuclear power and spending excessive amounts of taxpayers money on coal research and development, rather than investing in renewables. In addition, many in the Liberal Party such as Nick Minchin and Mark Vaile are still openly skeptical about whether humans are causing climate change. However, Petro Georgiou has taken a principled stand on the treatment of asylum seekers over the term of the Howard government. The Liberals are number 4.

Family First have very poor policies on climate change and are lobbying hard to reduce the retail price of fossil fuel which will increase its use therefore our carbon emissions. They also voted against the Greens Senate motion (along with both Labor and Liberal) to set a 2 degree temperature increase as the maximum tolerable rise and use this to guide energy policy and regulation. We have therefore put Family First at number 5.

The CEC come last at number 6. They are openly skeptical about whether climate change actually exists - which is an untenable position to take in this time of decreased rainfall, rising temperatures and bushfires. Science clearly demonstrates the humans are causing climate change by excessive greenhouse gas emissions.

Please contact me via mobile 0409 417 504 or email if you have any questions about this.

Street stalls around Kooyong

We have been out in the community visiting strip shopping centres such as Balwyn, Glenferrie Road and Camberwell. We hand out the Green Times newspaper which has some excellent articles on the problems with WorkChoices, setting climate targets, how to improve public education, forest conservation and West Papua.

Many people have told me they are greatly concerned about climate change, and that the old parties are not doing enough about it.

I think it is becoming increasingly apparent that if you want real action on climate change, both in the House of Representatives and in the Senate, your best option is to vote 1 Green.

Jenny handing out the popular Green Times newspaper in Camberwell

Why voting Green is vitally important

With climate change, drought, energy and a sustainable future now high on the political agenda, there has never been a more important time to vote for the Greens so that we get real action rather than rhetoric.

In the House of Representatives

Some residents I have spoken to recently have said they support the Greens by putting them as number 2 on their ballot after either Labor or Liberal.

They are surprised when I tell them that 2 for the Greens does nothing if you have a Liberal or Labor as number 1.

Nobody ever notices your number 2. Unfortunately, this doesn't help the Greens or show your support at all. Your vote just goes directly to the Labor or Liberal party and stays there.

However, if you like the Greens policies and would like me to represent you in Canberra, you can vote 1 Greens, then for the other parties of your choice.

This is really effective because you actually get double the value for your vote. Here is how it works:

Select 1 Greens. You make a really strong statement that you support the environment, open and fair government and a sustainable future. If I get enough votes, I will be elected and will be privileged to represent your views in parliament so I can work for a better future.

Select 2. This is your second preference, it is your choice. If I don't get elected, your vote is distributed to this choice on your ballet paper. The vote is counted again, at full value.

• So if you would like to John Howard returned, you can give your second choice to Petro Georgiou, the Liberal candidate.
  
• If you prefer Kevin Rudd, you can give your second choice to Ken Harvey, the Labor candidate.

If you prefer other parties (such as the Democrats) above either Labor or Liberal, you can give them your second preference. What really matters in the end is where you put Labor with respect to the Liberals. Whichever has the lower number will invariably get your vote. So if you vote 1 Green, 2 Democrat, 3 Liberal, 4 Labor then the Liberals will end up with your vote.

Need to know more? See the Australian Electoral Commission notes for more details.

Make no mistake: I’m serious about getting elected to represent you in Kooyong, but given that that is a big, BIG task, it is good to be able to reassure supporters that their vote will STILL BE COUNTED (twice, in fact.)

In the Senate
Even if Labor win enough lower house seats to form government, the polls and analysts indicate they will not win control of the Senate. It is important that more Greens are elected to the Senate so that it can act as a real house of review. The Greens will ensure there is balance in the Senate so that no major party will hold sway pushing their own agendas.

Either Vote 1 Green (above the line) in the Senate (the big ballot paper) or number the Greens candidates 1 to 6 then number every other square below the line in the order of your choice (also known as voting "below the line"). If you make a mistake or miss a number then your vote will be invalid and not be counted. Ask for another ballot paper if you have made a mistake!