The Greens candidate for the seat of Lismore, Adam Guise has run this race once before in 2015, where he gained a notable swing toward the Greens in the primary vote and after the preferences were allocated, he had 47 per cent of the votes and a 21 per cent swing.
Not a result to scoff at. However, the recent redistribution of boundaries in the seat of Lismore, which might include more voters who would preference Greens first, may actually make it more likely for Nationals to win the seat. According to abc.net.au’s election analysis for the seat, it has ‘…[gained] 2,000 electors in an area around Federal and Wilsons Creek from Ballina where the Greens recorded more than half the first preference vote. This lifts Lismore’s Labor margin versus the Nationals from 1.3 per cent to an estimated 2.0 per cent, but also narrows the gap between Labor and the Greens on first preferences. If the new boundaries resulted in the Greens passing Labor on first preferences, then the Nationals would hold Lismore with a 2.4 per cent margin versus the Greens.’
The Echo asked Guise if it felt different this time around.
‘All elections are unique, and off the back of devastating floods and landslips, people are exhausted and disillusioned with the major parties still being wedded to fossil fuels.
‘While coal seam gas may be off the agenda locally, both the Nationals and Labor are backing coal seam gas expansion on the Liverpool Plains and exporting catastrophic climate change to the rest of the world.’
The 2022 floods that were so damaging and clearly unprecedented, and the effects so lasting, many residents are rethinking climate change and looking towards a more environmental view from parliament.
On the frontlines of the climate emergency
Mr Guise said the community is on the frontlines of the climate emergency and can see the damage the fossil fuel funded parties are doing with their policies. ‘This must urgently change for us to maintain a liveable planet.
‘Electing the the major parties who still back fossil fuels will only escalate the climate crisis. People want representatives who will act on the science with the urgency it requires.
‘The Greens will end new coal and gas, levy coal exports and fund urgent climate adaptation plans to ensure our communities are protected.’
Lismore region is diverse, creative and empowered
Guise said that the Lismore region community is diverse, creative and empowered. ‘They want a representative who will stand up to vested interests and bring on the transformational change required.
‘I am proud to stand alongside many in our community who are protecting the places we love and fighting for a liveable planet.
‘The Greens and I support evidence based policies that put people and planet first and I’m proud to share that vision.’
From strength to strength
In the 31 years since the official beginning of the Greens, Guise says the party has gone from strength to strength. ‘There are more Greens than ever elected to our local, state and federal parliaments.
‘Having Greens in parliament has led to achievements such as the price on carbon, significant investment in renewable energy, and holding the government to account on issues such as housing, health and climate action.
‘Only the Greens have acted in accordance with the science of climate change to rule out any new coal or gas.’
Guise agrees that election campaigns are touch, but there are also rewards. ‘Like all election campaigns, they are busy, stressful and challenging, but also empowering, inspirational and character building.
‘I am heartened to have stood with so many in our community fighting for positive change and a caring society.
‘I am personally grateful to the wonderful people who have supported me along the way and their passion and determination for change.’
The election is tomorrow – don’t for get to vote!
You can find out about all the Lismore seat candidates here.
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