Election result shows power of grassroots mobilisation on environment issues

Environment Victoria welcomes today’s election result as a victory for grassroots mobilisation but warns that the new government will be publicly held to account if it fails to improve the State’s environmental record.

“People from all over Victoria have told us how important environmental policies were to securing their vote,” said Environment Victoria CEO Mark Wakeham.

“Environment Victoria doorknocked more than 11,800 homes in some of Victoria’s most marginal seats including 3 of the sandbelt seats which changed hands.

“In the electorates of Frankston, Mordialloc, Carrum and Forest Hill more than 2000 undecided voters pledged to vote for the environment and received an Environment Victoria scorecard ranking the major parties’ environment policies in the days leading up to the election.

“Increasing renewable energy, shutting down hazardous and out-dated coal fired power stations and securing a healthy future for our people and natural environments were all issues of significant concern to the people we spoke with.

“Labor will need to implement all of its pre-election commitments and more to even begin addressing these concerns.

“This election result clearly shows that Victorians value their environment and want it better protected.

“Environment Victoria will work with the new government and closely monitor its environmental record to ensure that it does not back away from its promises.”