2010 State election
On Saturday, 27 November 2010, Victorians went to the polls and voted in a Coalition Government and a new Premier by the name of Baillieu. So what does that mean for our environment I hear you say? Here’s our verdict…
Let’s be honest – there’s no glossing over the fact that the Coalition’s election promises on the environment were far weaker than the other major parties. They don’t support replacing Hazelwood, or the draft Murray Darling Basin Plan. They want to reintroduce cattle grazing in Victoria’s national parks. And there are plenty of gaps and unanswered questions about how it will address critical environment issues and meet its greenhouse target.
Thankfully though, the Coalition did promise some positive environmental actions such as greater water efficiency and water recycling, improving the star-rating of existing homes, returning water to the Yarra, Thompson, Murray and Snowy Rivers and supporting a target to reduce Victoria’s greenhouse pollution by 20 percent by 2020.
So after all that, we’ve prepared a list of their election commitments - the good, the vague and the downright worrying. You can find it here
You can bet that we’ll be holding the new government to account to these promises and working flat out to get them to change those policies that will send us backwards. In forming the new government the Coalition took on the ethical and legal responsibility to safeguard our environment, combat climate change, rescue our rivers and protect our forests. Our job is to make sure they do just that.
And rest assured, our campaigns to Replace Hazelwood and Rescue Our Rivers will roll on. And next year will be bigger and bolder than ever! So stay tuned, inspired and be there with us as we move towards a sustainable healthy environment for all in 2011.
PS > We've had one mighty big year. And we couldn’t have done it without you and your continued support. So thank you for your hard work, for your dedication and for your unwavering commitment to our environment. To cap off your year, join us as we celebrate our successes of 2010. Jump for joy
State election resources
We gave them an agenda to safeguard our environment
- Rescue Our Rivers: deliver a river rescue package to restore Victoria’s rivers to health and secure water for new Red Gum National Parks. Here's how the parties compared
- Replace Hazelwood power station with clean energy by 2012. Here's how the parties compared
- A green makeover for one Million Homes: deliver a program to retrofit one million Victorian homes for energy and water efficiency over the next five years. Here's how the parties compared
- Read our Smart Transport Campaigner's reflection on the role of public transport in this election campaign. Have a squizz
State election 2010 scorecard
Environment Victoria, together with our colleagues at The Wilderness Society, Friends of the Earth and the Victorian National Parks Association have prepared a detailed environment policy scorecard to help guide you on the various environment policies of the major parties contesting the state election.
The scorecard is based on our agenda for the next term of government which we released and sent to all parties in November 2009. It's called Turning it Around.
*Current at Friday, 26 November 2010.
State election scorecards from years gone by
In 2007 and 2008 we released a report, with other Victorian and national environment groups, tracking the state government's performance against their election promises on the environment.
See the 2008 report here
See the 2007 report here
Green programs to be axed
Wednesday, 3 May 2012
Josh Gordon, The Age
The looming carbon tax will be used by the Baillieu government to justify scrapping a raft of state environmental programs as part of a push to end duplication between the Commonwealth...
moreBaillieu govt slashes environment department budget
Tuesday, 2 May 2012
Climate Spectator
The Victorian government has taken the axe to funding for its environment department, with the division the hardest hit by a tough budget.
All up, $130.6...
moreClimate, land, biodiversity face biggest cuts
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Adam Morton, The Age
Spending on environmental programs will be cut by $130.6 million next financial year - the biggest reduction for any department.
The cuts to the Department of...
moreVic budget shuns environment: green group
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
9 News
The Victorian budget failed to improve the government's track record on the environment, critics say.
Environment Victoria described the budget as disappointing and said the...
moreUncertain future for plant
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Louis Nelson, Latrobe Valley Express
Latrobe City remains upbeat about the future of HRL's proposed Morwell dual gas-fired power station...
morePilbara plan for Victoria
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Adam Morton, The Age
The Latrobe Valley could be transformed into a mining export hub on the scale of the Pilbara or the Hunter Valley thanks to new a href="http://environmentvictoria.org.au/content/...
moreVic premier says six-star rating will stay
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
9 News
Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu says the government has no plans to dump six-star energy rules for new homes.
The six-star energy efficiency standard has been a state...
moreHRL freezes Latrobe Valley power station plans after legal ruling
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Adam Morton, The Age
Plans for a new coal and gas-fired power station in the Latrobe Valley have been put...
moreHRL puts Vic Dual Gas project on ice
Monday, 16 April 2012
SBS World News Australia
Dual Gas has stopped work on its project to build a new power station in Victoria, saying its future has been...
morePower station project halted despite legal victory
Monday, 16 April 2012
ABC News
The company planning to build a new Latrobe Valley power station has stopped work on the project following a...
more
Twitter
Where do the major parties stand on our environment?
Who's up to the environmental challenges of our time?
If you believe the polls the Greens may yet hold the balance of power following the Victorian state election and could even succeed in winning Lower House seats.
The federal election result suggests their vote...
more
Coalition water policy mostly positive
with a couple of big stings in the tail
The Victorian Coalition released their water policy yesterday afternoon. It's available...
more
Preferences are for politicians
but our environment is for us all
Amidst all the discussion on the Greens and preferences, it seems the two major parties which could actually form the next government have forgotten that our environment is in serious trouble.
While the ALP has made some...
more
November State Election: Something to Tweet About
Join us as we discuss all the issues (environmentally speaking)
We’re hosting a Twitter Chat about the 2010 Victorian State Election, and everyone’s invited! Featuring Environment Victoria CEO, Kelly O’Shanassy, Campaigns Director Mark Wakeham and...
more
What’s your vision for Victoria?
Have your voice heard!
In 2010, both the state and federal governments go to the polls. And what better opportunity to put a little pressure on those pollies and get the policies we need for our environment.
A healthy environment and a safe future for all...
more
Flickr
- Retro budget forgets climate change |
- Envirowatch 2008 |
- Envirowatch 2007 |
- Victoria: green and growing |
- One year out from the state election, green groups put parties on notice |
- Australians to send clear message to Rudd in Copenhagen |
- The Quick Guide to our Community Climate Action Plan |
- Turning it around: a 2010 state election agenda |
- State Budget leaves unfinished business on environment ahead of election |
- Rudd climate backflip raises pressure to replace Hazelwood |
Nothing to see here. Keep on moving...
