2010 State election
On Saturday, 27 November 2010, Victorians went to the polls and voted in a Coalition Government and a new Premier by the name of Baillieu. So what does that mean for our environment I hear you say? Here’s our verdict…
Let’s be honest – there’s no glossing over the fact that the Coalition’s election promises on the environment were far weaker than the other major parties. They don’t support replacing Hazelwood, or the draft Murray Darling Basin Plan. They want to reintroduce cattle grazing in Victoria’s national parks. And there are plenty of gaps and unanswered questions about how it will address critical environment issues and meet its greenhouse target.
Thankfully though, the Coalition did promise some positive environmental actions such as greater water efficiency and water recycling, improving the star-rating of existing homes, returning water to the Yarra, Thompson, Murray and Snowy Rivers and supporting a target to reduce Victoria’s greenhouse pollution by 20 percent by 2020.
So after all that, we’ve prepared a list of their election commitments - the good, the vague and the downright worrying. You can find it here
You can bet that we’ll be holding the new government to account to these promises and working flat out to get them to change those policies that will send us backwards. In forming the new government the Coalition took on the ethical and legal responsibility to safeguard our environment, combat climate change, rescue our rivers and protect our forests. Our job is to make sure they do just that.
And rest assured, our campaigns to Replace Hazelwood and Rescue Our Rivers will roll on. And next year will be bigger and bolder than ever! So stay tuned, inspired and be there with us as we move towards a sustainable healthy environment for all in 2011.
PS > We've had one mighty big year. And we couldn’t have done it without you and your continued support. So thank you for your hard work, for your dedication and for your unwavering commitment to our environment. To cap off your year, join us as we celebrate our successes of 2010. Jump for joy
State election resources
We gave them an agenda to safeguard our environment
- Rescue Our Rivers: deliver a river rescue package to restore Victoria’s rivers to health and secure water for new Red Gum National Parks. Here's how the parties compared
- Replace Hazelwood power station with clean energy by 2012. Here's how the parties compared
- A green makeover for one Million Homes: deliver a program to retrofit one million Victorian homes for energy and water efficiency over the next five years. Here's how the parties compared
- Read our Smart Transport Campaigner's reflection on the role of public transport in this election campaign. Have a squizz
State election 2010 scorecard
Environment Victoria, together with our colleagues at The Wilderness Society, Friends of the Earth and the Victorian National Parks Association have prepared a detailed environment policy scorecard to help guide you on the various environment policies of the major parties contesting the state election.
The scorecard is based on our agenda for the next term of government which we released and sent to all parties in November 2009. It's called Turning it Around.
*Current at Friday, 26 November 2010.
State election scorecards from years gone by
In 2007 and 2008 we released a report, with other Victorian and national environment groups, tracking the state government's performance against their election promises on the environment.
See the 2008 report here
See the 2007 report here
Uncertainty over future of HRL plant
Friday, 20 January 2012
Gus Goswell, ABC News
There is uncertainty over the Federal Government's commitment to a new power station planned for the...
moreScientists reject plan to save Murray-Darling
Thursday, 19 January 2011
Tom Arup, The Age
A group of Australia's leading scientists have rejected the proposed plan to save the Murray-Darling, saying basic information needed to have confidence it will...
moreAssessment ongoing
Monday, 9 January 2012
Latrobe Valley Express
Funding for a proposed demonstration power plant near Morwell is currently under assessment by the Federal Government, after a deadline for project milestones passed on New Year's eve.
...moreSandridge beach given thumbs down today
Friday, 30 December 2011
Tom Arup, The Age
Sandridge beach at Port Melbourne will be declared off limits for swimming today after the Environment Protection Authority forecast its water quality to be ''unacceptable...
moreWishing you a very conscious Christmas
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Michael Green, Domain, The Age
What would the festive season be like without the bells and whistles?
One way of preparing for Christmas involves buying new things - a lot of new things...
moreRiver health
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Shepparton News
The Goulburn River provides more water for use in Victoria than any other river except the mighty Murray itself.
Victorian Water Accounts figures from 2009/10 show 974 billion litres...
moreNirvana away from building where wildlife won't croak
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
John Masanauskas. Herald Sun
Endangered animals would be moved from boom housing suburbs to a safe haven, under a plan to keep more land for housing.
Property developers...
moreWater restrictions eased to stage one
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Alison Savage, 774 ABC Melbourne
Melbourne's water restrictions will be eased to stage one from today.
It is the first time since 2006 that restrictions have been eased to the lowest...
moreBaillieu Government gets 'fail' on environment
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Alison Savage, ABC News
The Victorian Government's green credentials have been criticised in an a href="http://www.environmentvictoria.org.au/content/envirowatch-2011-one-...
moreSenate passes carbon tax
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
The Gillard government declared victory for a "historic economic reform" today after the Senate finally passed a carbon tax - laws that have created political havoc for four years and have been debated...
more
Twitter
Where do the major parties stand on our environment?
Who's up to the environmental challenges of our time?
If you believe the polls the Greens may yet hold the balance of power following the Victorian state election and could even succeed in winning Lower House seats.
The federal election result suggests their vote...
more
Coalition water policy mostly positive
with a couple of big stings in the tail
The Victorian Coalition released their water policy yesterday afternoon. It's available...
more
Preferences are for politicians
but our environment is for us all
Amidst all the discussion on the Greens and preferences, it seems the two major parties which could actually form the next government have forgotten that our environment is in serious trouble.
While the ALP has made some...
more
November State Election: Something to Tweet About
Join us as we discuss all the issues (environmentally speaking)
We’re hosting a Twitter Chat about the 2010 Victorian State Election, and everyone’s invited! Featuring Environment Victoria CEO, Kelly O’Shanassy, Campaigns Director Mark Wakeham and...
more
What’s your vision for Victoria?
Have your voice heard!
In 2010, both the state and federal governments go to the polls. And what better opportunity to put a little pressure on those pollies and get the policies we need for our environment.
A healthy environment and a safe future for all...
more
Flickr
- Victoria: green and growing |
- Envirowatch 2008 |
- Envirowatch 2007 |
- The Quick Guide to our Community Climate Action Plan |
- Turning it around: a 2010 state election agenda |
- NEW REPORT! Fast-tracking Victoria’s clean energy future to replace Hazelwood Power Station |
- International Power Australia's submission on the CPRS Green Paper |
- One Million Homes: A 2010 energy and water efficiency campaign |
- Environment Victoria submission on HRL Dual Gas Works |
- Our analysis of the 2010 Climate Change White Paper Implementation Plan |
Nothing to see here. Keep on moving...
