"Melbourne is currently choking on cars. We're in a climate change emergency, but John Brumby is planning to throw fuel onto the fire by funnelling more cars into the city. Local representatives John So, Bronwyn Pike and Lindsay Tanner are watching from the sidelines. We need someone to stand up for Melbourne and offer an alternative vision," Mr Bandt said.

"Melbourne should be Australia's first sustainable capital city, powered by renewable energy and serviced by world-class public transport," Mr Bandt said.

"John So is doing what Labor wants, and Labor is doing what Macquarie Bank wants. It is time to mount a massive campaign to take this city in a different direction. Over the next 9 months, we will unveil our vision for a renewable Melbourne," said Mr Bandt.

Adam Bandt is 35 and a local industrial lawyer. He ran for the Federal seat of Melbourne in 2007 and came close to defeating Labor's Lindsay Tanner, turning the electorate into the country's first ever Labor/Greens marginal: the seat is now held by Tanner by only 4.7%.

For more comment, call Adam Bandt on 0417119740.