Socialists call on Greens to preference Labor

September 23, 2004

Tasmanian Socialist Alliance candidates united today to call on the Greens to direct preferences to Labor before Liberal in order to help “kick out” the Howard government.

“The Greens will be making a big mistake if they follow through with their current threats not to issue preferences in Tasmania,” said Socialist Alliance candidate for Bass Meredith de Landelles.

“Recent polling shows that the ALP is in danger of losing Bass and Braddon, yet Bob Brown has confirmed that a Greens decision to issue preferences could be enough to tip the balance in a marginal seat,” said de Landelles.*

“How would the Greens feel if the Liberals win in Bass after the Greens declined to issue preferences and then the Coalition wins government by one seat?” asked de Landelles. “It’s not a far fetched scenario.”

“The Howard government’s record on war in Iraq, refugees, industrial relations and other issues including the environment mean that they deserve no support from progressive parties,” said Glenn Shields, Socialist Alliance candidate for Franklin.

“Even if Howard promises a better forest policy than Latham, could you trust him?” asked Shields, who has a long history as a forest activist including in the campaign against Southwood.

“The Greens should not be neutral on the question of who forms government,” said Kamala Emanuel, Socialist Alliance candidate for Denison.

“The Greens should preference Socialist Alliance and other progressive candidates first then Labor before Liberal,” said Emanuel.

“The Greens should help kick out the government of liars, war mongers and environmental vandals,” said Emanuel.

“We have no illusions in the ALP, we’re quite aware they cannot be trusted,” said Emanuel.

“But the only hope for the progressive movement is to build strong grassroots protest movements that are capable of winning reforms from either party in government – a job that will be much, much harder if Howard is returned at this election,” said Emanuel.

For further information contact: Meredith de Landelles 0419 361 128, Kamala Emanuel 0417 319 662, Glenn Shields 6266 4100

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