The Bradfield by-election is over and the Greens have something to celebrate. Together we ran an excellent grassroots campaign that became a national media story following the Liberal leadership spill that saw climate denier Tony Abbott become leader. Amid a circus of infighting and disunity on climate change from the Liberals, and with no Labor candidate, the Greens emerged as the credible alternative. The result shows a tremendous acceptance for the Greens in such a Liberal stronghold.
I asked Bradfield to send a message to Canberra on climate change and one in four people responded (see my media release below). Onthe first count there was a 4.7% swing against the Liberal candidate on primary votes. That's enough of a swing to lose an election. Once postal votes were counted the swing was 3.3%. The final Greens vote was 35.8% two party preferred, a strong result in the Liberal heartland. Despite Labor not standing, the Liberals have achieved their lowest primary vote in Liberal Party history in both Bradfield and Higgins.
It has been my pleasure to represent the Greens and to work with so many wonderful people. Thank you to everyone who supported the Greens campaign, and thanks to the many thousands of people in Bradfield who voted Greens for the first time, whether on principle or in protest. However the Liberals spin the result, we sent a clear message to the people in Bradfield that action on climate change is worth fighting for.
Warmest regards,
Susie Gemmelll
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Media release - 6 December 2009
Greens celebrate result in Bradfield
Speaking at the Greens NSW State Conference today, Greens candidate for Bradfield, Susie Gemmell said that last night's election was good news for the Greens, and the 4.7% swing away from the Liberals on primary votes was hardly something for Tony Abbott fans to crow about.
“I am proud to be a Green today. One in four people gave the Greens their vote, and more than one in three people preferred the Greens to the Liberal party in a by-election in the Liberal heartland,”said Ms Gemmell.
“The 4.7% swing away from the Liberal primary vote would have been much greater if Labor had not been missing in action.
“By-elections typically favour opposition parties, so a 4.7% swing away from the Liberal candidate on primary votes can hardly be considered an endorsement.
“Higgins and Bradfield are our best primary vote results in a by-election where the Greens stepped up to be the second major party because Labor did not field a candidate.
“More than a third of people voted Greens ahead of Liberal in this climate change by-election in a Liberal stronghold seat.
“Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott would be foolish to ignore the climate change message from this election campaign.
“I want to thank the many thousands of people who voted Greens for the first time, who supported the Greens call for stronger action on climate change.
“Our climate change campaign in Bradfield generated huge interest from all sides of politics.
“The Greens look forward to strengthening support for our stance on climate change in the federal election next year.
“The Greens are part of the political fabric in Australia and climate change will continue to be a priority campaign,” said Ms Gemmell.
More information: Susie Gemmell 0431 458 102
Highlights of final week Bradfield by-election coverage:
A race to the bottom in Bradfield - New Matilda article
Put a blue ribbon on a pig .. it'd win - North Shore Times, 1 December 09
First test comes on Saturday - SMH 2 December 2009
Abbott to be tested in by-elections - ABC TV Lateline, 4 December 09
Liberals tipped to win Bradfield despite party trouble - ABC Radio PM, 4 December 09
Roll up the byelection circus hits town - SMH 5 December 2009
Liberals claim first victories of new era - SMH 6 December 09
Liberals knock out Greens on climate change - ABC, 6 December 09
Susie shakes hands with Kevin Rudd on polling day