The Greens on International Women's Day

It was great to have the opportunity yesterday to represent the Greens at the International Women's Day celebrations at Newcastle University.

The Greens are certainly putting their affirmative action policies into practise in this state election, as 53%, or 49 out of 93 lower house candidates, are women.Labor's representation is 40% (37 women from 93 candidates), the Liberals 19% (16 women from 83 candidates) and the Nationals 14% (3out of 21 seats).

Greens MP and lead upper house candidate Lee Rhiannon said, "Labor hands women like Jodi McKay a parachute, while the Greens give them a springboard. The Greens outdo Labor by 13 percent."You have to bush bash to find a female National candidate and the Liberals' figure of 19% is truly disturbing.

"It's time the Coalition parties took a look at the road blocks they've placed in front of women.

"The Carr and Iemma governments have not delivered for women. In the entire 182 pages of Labor's State Plan the word 'women' is only mentioned once.

"Labor abolished the Department for Women and has reduced funding for women's services to a trickle. Peter Debnam has offered no sign his party will do any better," Ms Rhiannon said.

Federal Greens Senator Kerry Nettle said, "The Greens' historic figure reflects the success of our policies that value women and encourage them to stand. We hope the major parties follow our lead.

"The Greens have always had strong female representation in Parliament and have been at the forefront of women's campaigns for decades,"Senator Nettle said.

Women in the Greens Elected
2 out of 3 NSW Upper House Greens women
3 out of 4 Federal senators women
62 % of local Greens councillors are women
First Greens MP was a women – Jo Valentine, WA Federal Senator (elected 1985)
First 'out' lesbian MP in any Australian parliament, WA MLC Giz Watson
Candidates
49 out of 93 NSW Lower House candidates women
11 out of 21 NSW Upper House candidates women