Victoria’s four major environment groups today released the first of three independent environment policy scorecards in the lead up to November’s state election.
Based on an analysis of public policy announcements to date, and a survey completed by all major parties, The Greens are currently leading with a score of 90 percent, Labor is in second place on 45 percent and the Liberal-National Coalition are trailing on 14 percent.
The assessment was based on the environment groups policy agenda Turning it Around: A state election agenda to safeguard Victoria’s environment which was released and sent to all parties in November 2009.
“While its still early in the campaign and parties are yet to release all their election policies, clearly the major parties have a lot of work to do catch up to The Greens. The environment and climate change are key election issues and, as the two contenders to form government in their own right, both Labor and the Coalition will need to have a positive story to tell voters on these issues.”
“To improve their score Labor and the Coalition will need to deliver on the key environment issues of the state election, by replacing the whole of Hazelwood power station within the next term of government, and securing water for rivers and the newly created Red Gum National Parks.”
“On other key issues, The Greens have promised to protect old growth forests and water catchments and create and fund marine parks. To date Labor and the Coalition have failed to grasp these opportunities, but there is still time for them to deliver a strong agenda for the environment.”
“The environment scorecard is a guide for voters, but ultimately voters will need to make up their own minds on which party has the best policies, but also the ability each party will have to deliver on their promises in the next Parliament. With 4 year fixed terms in Victoria, this election is critical to turn things around for our environment.”
The scorecards are based on both the policy commitments of the parties, and the level of detail provided about how they’ll deliver these commitments for the environment. The scorecard will be advertised today (Wednesday, 20 October) in the Knox Weekly Journal, The Melbourne Weekly Times and the Bendigo Advertiser, providing voters with an independent tool to assist them in their decision-making ahead of the election. Repeat advertisements in the same publications will run on the Wednesday, 10 and Saturday, 20 November, when the scorecard will be updated.
For comment contact:
Kelly O’Shannasy, Environment Victoria on0421 054 402
Matt Ruchel, Victorian National Parks Association on 0418 357 813
Cam Walker, Friends of the Earth on 0419 338 047
Gavan McFadzean, The Wilderness Society on 0414 754 023.
MORE RESOURCES
A summary of the state election scorecard