Media Release: Barbara Bloch and Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon Launch Greens Campaign for Watson
Barbara Bloch, Greens’ candidate for Watson in the upcoming Federal Election, launched her campaign in Punchbowl before a large and enthusiastic group of supporters. Dr Bloch is a long- time resident in the area and has been a political activist all her adult life, working around social justice issues. She has worked with migrants and refugees in the school and TAFE sectors as well as teaching in the Communications degree at UTS.
The Watson campaign will focus on three issues – Affordable Housing, Education and Sustainable Development.
The Greens have long supported an end to negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions. “Affordable housing is a right for all Australians. These tax concessions and rebates have overwhelmingly benefited the rich, not those just trying to buy a home, and certainly not those who need to rent” Dr Bloch explained.
Dr Bloch and the Greens support the funding of schools on a needs basis as the Gonski Review recommended. “Every child deserves the right to a quality public education” she said. Dr Bloch also called for the funding of TAFE to be reinstated. “The Greens are committed to prioritising budget spending on a well-funded quality public TAFE system to meet Australia’s future skills training needs”. TAFE can provide the education for the jobs of the future” she said.
Sustainable housing development is another issue Dr Bloch will campaign strongly for. “We need livable cities. Suburbs and neighbourhoods where people can work and play. Cities where public transport gets people out of gridlock and to where they need to be.” Dr Bloch was strongly critical of the Sydenham to Bankstown urban renewal plan and the Westconnex Motorway conglomerate.
“100,000 extra people are being dumped here without any planning for schools, hospitals and parks. The only plan is a privatised South Western metro train that will close the Bankstown train line for up to three years. Commuters will be forced to stand for their journey. Why replace the Bankstown line? The people of Watson deserve better.”
NSW Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon strongly endorsed this outstanding candidate. “I have known Barbara for many years and she has worked tirelessly in the cause of social justice and equality”. Senator Rhiannon also stressed the need for action on climate change, saying: ‘We value our clean air, clean water and fresh, local food. We value a safe climate, and we want to pass a safe Australia on to our children and their children.
“But climate change puts this all at risk. We know what the impacts will be in Australia. Already, we are seeing extreme summer heat, breaking record after record. If we do nothing, we know to expect worse droughts, floods and heat waves.
“That’s why we’re working with people to take the power back from the big end of town and the government that delivers for them – so that together we can build an Australia we can be proud to pass on. The Greens have a fully costed plan for transitioning towards 100% renewable energy by 2030, and away from reliance on coal-fired power”
Canterbury Greens Councilor Linda Eisler chaired the meeting and lent her support.
Canterbury Greens 