Social Alliance – candidate for Denison Mel Barnes’ climate policy rated the best by Vote Climate website.

Socialist Alliance candidate for Denison Mel Barnes’ climate policy rated the best by Vote Climate website.

5th August 2010

The “world’s first dedicated climate election website” Vote Climate (www.voteclimate.org.au) , which rates political parties’ climate change policies, has recommended a vote for the Socialist Alliance in the upcoming August 21 federal elections.

Vote Climate provides detailed policy analysis based on available policy as the primary source, and public documents and public statements as a secondary source.

Socialist Alliance is ranked first as the only party that has “policies that might stop runaway climate change” and that “adopt[s] a climate emergency response”.

The Greens are ranked second followed by the Democrats, as parties with “policies that won’t stop runaway climate change, but have numerous positive elements that will help the adoption of stronger response down the track”.

Labor and Liberal are also ranked as parties with “policies that won’t stop runaway climate change” and “take only limited action which will not stop global warming reaching dangerous levels quickly.”

Mel Barnes, who is a dedicated climate activist herself, said “I am proud to be running for a party that has such strong policies on the very serious issue of climate change. And what’s more, the Socialist Alliance doesn’t just have good ideas; we are active in participating in grassroots climate campaign groups to push for these ideas to be implemented.”

Barnes continued: “Polls show that people want to see the government take stronger action on climate change. Our policies on public transport, renewable energy and a just transition for workers to move out of polluting industries are an essential part of the required response. These policies would not only help avoid dangerous climate change but they would create jobs, cleaner environments and they would improve ordinary workers’ lives.”

In the 2007 poll, Socialist Alliance was listed as having the second best climate change policy, the first position going to the What Women Want party. The site said: “This time the Socialist Alliance take the number one position.”

Vote Climate describes Socialist Alliance’s policy as “driven by care for people, and they understand the direct connection between the environment, the services it provides and human well-being.

“They have reviewed climate science and impacts and concluded the mainstream response to climate change is nowhere near enough. The Socialist Alliance policy … offers the best hope for the future.”

The Socialist Alliance policy can be read at: http://www.socialist-alliance.org/page.php?page=674

For comment call Mel Barnes 0423 978 518

Authorised by S.Austin, 225 Murray St, Hobart, 7000