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The confirmation of four Coalition Senators elected in Queensland this
morning delivers the Howard Government a historic majority of 39
Senators. This means the Government has total control of the Senate for
the first time since Prime Minister Fraser in 1977-81.
Without control of the Senate, the Government has had to negotiate with minor parties – a situation which has often delivered positive outcomes for the environment. However, this protection has now been lost, leaving it up to the Howard Government to deliver the environmental protection that Australians so clearly want.
Greenpeace today challenged Mr Howard to ensure that this power is not abused and to acknowledge the huge proportion of Australians who care about the environment.
"Australia's democracy is strong because we do not have a winner- takes-all system," said Danny Kennedy, Campaigns Manager for Greenpeace. "However strongly the Government controls the Parliament, opposition voices can and must still be heard.
"Greenpeace - and civil society across Australia - will be working solidly to make sure that John Howard cannot ignore the multitude of voices that our democracy fosters."
Polling following the election indicated that environmental issues were ‘very important’ in deciding the vote of 44 percent of Australians. Despite the media and campaign fixation with mortgages during the election, the environment beat out interest rates (at 37 percent) as a very important issue amongst voters of both major parties.
Prime Minister Howard has made public statements promising that he will govern for all Australians, not just those who supported the Coalition’s policies. "If he really intends to govern for all Australians, Mr Howard must listen to those outside his party," said Mr Kennedy.
"He must listen to the millions of people that organisations like Greenpeace represent, and he must tackle climate change - the greatest challenge currently facing Australia."
Without control of the Senate, the Government has had to negotiate with minor parties – a situation which has often delivered positive outcomes for the environment. However, this protection has now been lost, leaving it up to the Howard Government to deliver the environmental protection that Australians so clearly want.
Greenpeace today challenged Mr Howard to ensure that this power is not abused and to acknowledge the huge proportion of Australians who care about the environment.
"Australia's democracy is strong because we do not have a winner- takes-all system," said Danny Kennedy, Campaigns Manager for Greenpeace. "However strongly the Government controls the Parliament, opposition voices can and must still be heard.
"Greenpeace - and civil society across Australia - will be working solidly to make sure that John Howard cannot ignore the multitude of voices that our democracy fosters."
Polling following the election indicated that environmental issues were ‘very important’ in deciding the vote of 44 percent of Australians. Despite the media and campaign fixation with mortgages during the election, the environment beat out interest rates (at 37 percent) as a very important issue amongst voters of both major parties.
Prime Minister Howard has made public statements promising that he will govern for all Australians, not just those who supported the Coalition’s policies. "If he really intends to govern for all Australians, Mr Howard must listen to those outside his party," said Mr Kennedy.
"He must listen to the millions of people that organisations like Greenpeace represent, and he must tackle climate change - the greatest challenge currently facing Australia."
