23 March 2023
The Greens’ lead Upper House candidate Cate Faehrmann MP is visiting the Illawarra today to give a final pitch to voters in the region.
“In all likelihood, the days of any single party having an absolute mandate are over,” said Ms Faehrmann.
“This places the Greens in an excellent position to push the next government further and faster on issues that will make a real difference in people’s lives.
“Too many people are struggling with increasing bills and flatlining wages. In the balance of power, the Greens will demand that the next government scrap the public sector wage cap.
“It’s expected that this election will be really tight and that no party will be able to form government in their own right. The Greens have ruled out supporting a Liberal-National government, but should Labor need our support to govern we’re needing them to do more on key issues of concern to the community.
“We will be seeking from Labor mandated nurse-to-patient ratios in our hospitals, and a 15 percent pay rise for nurses, midwives and paramedics. This will go some way to stop our public health system hemorrhaging underpaid and overworked staff.
“The people of the Illawarra have seen enough floods and smelled enough smoke to understand that we need to stop pouring fuel on the fire when it comes to the climate crisis. This starts with no new coal and gas mines.
“Port Kembla has potential to be a hub for renewable manufacturing which makes use of the existing coal mining workforce in the region, but this will take ambition and funding from the NSW government. The Greens propose a job-for-job guarantee and training opportunities that will help those in fossil fuel industries transition to the industries of the future.
“We’re expecting a strong vote for the Greens here in the Illawarra. It’s clear that many younger people are seeing the Greens as the only party that takes the climate and rental crises seriously. A vote for the Greens at this election will ensure more Greens in both Houses of Parliament to hold the next government to account.”
Quotes attributable to Greens candidate for Shellharbour Jamie Dixon:
“Voting Greens is the best way to ensure that real change is delivered by our next government. We have the policies, and the guts, to make sure that public services are restored within the same budget.” said Mr Dixon.
“The lack of affordable housing is plain to see here in the Illawarra, with ridiculous queues at rental inspections and public housing wait times of up to 10 years. We won't have front line services, or a renewables led manufacturing boom, if our workers can't afford to live here.
“I want to see all new large developments containing at least 30 percent affordable housing, and a commitment of the next government to grow the public housing stock so that everyone can have a place to call home.
“We need greater protections for renters, starting with a ban on no-grounds evictions and longer leases to give people security in their own home.
“If the Greens hold the balance of power in the next parliament, NSW schools will receive 100 percent of the Schooling Resource Standard, and a workforce plan will be developed to recruit another 12,000 teachers over the next 10 years. Public school teachers will receive a 15 percent pay rise and extra hours each week away from students so they can write their lesson plans.
“It’s obvious to me that Dapto needs a new school, not a dog track for international gambling.”
Media contact:
Dylan Green
p: 0406 985 805