Photos: Craig Townsend

Green MPs already working hard in State Parliament

On Tuesday 19th December 2006, new Green MPs Sue Pennicuik, Greg Barber and Colleen Hartland took their places in the reconfigured Legislative Council for the opening of the 56th Parliament of Victoria.

A crowd of delighted Greens members welcomed them to Parliament's steps by rolling out a green carpet, and forming a guard of honour.

In their first three days in Parliament, the new MPs were very busy. They proposed a select upper house committee on Climate Change. They sought to defer an amendment on stamp duty until action is taken on affordable housing. They sought clarification on the implications of the landmark Wielangta Federal Court case for Victorian forests and threatened species.

They also proposed an amendment to above-the-line voting that would see upper house ballots counted in a way that better respects the clearly expressed intention of voters.

After short, well-earned breaks, they will be preparing to open their offices on February 2nd and return to Parliament when it next sits on 13th February 2007.