Larissa Waters - Qld Greens Senate preselection candidate
Sun 11 Mar 2007Australia’s most significant Federal Election in a decade is approaching. It must take place some time between 4 August 2007 and 19 January 2008. This election is significant because it should mark the end of 12 years of decline in our democracy, presided over by “Dishonest John”.
Forgive my soap-boxing, but personally, I have yet to forgive Dishonest John for his cynical manipulation of the 1998 Republic referendum question. But there have been worse fibs. WA blogger Archie has put together a deliberately dispassionate record of some of Dishonest John’s bigger porkies; “Never-Ever GST”, “Children Overboard”, “WMDs”.
Now, some of us live in marginal electorates and may rejoice in our ability to influence the outcome. On the other hand, some of us live in “safe” seats and may despair that our votes don’t count for much. But this time, no matter which seat we live in, we ALL have an important vote to cast - IN THE SENATE.
If we have learned only one thing from this last term of the Howard government, it’s how dangerous it is to deliver an absolute Senate majority to the party who controls the lower house as well.
Qld Greens Senate preselection
This month, in preparation for the upcoming election, the Queensland Greens are selecting their Senate candidates. And our good friend and environmental lawyer, Larissa Waters has put up her hand. It was Larissa who performed so well against Premier Peter Beattie in his seat of Brisbane Central in the last State election. Larissa gained a 6% swing, the largest swing to a Green in that election. Check out her website at http://www.larissawaters.net.
I know Larissa is passionate about not only the environment but also social justice issues which affect us all as citizens. I know that, if elected to the Senate, Larissa will make the right decisions for my country and our planet.
March 12th, 2007 at 1:37
Larissa is a good looker as well and we need more of them in Government.
March 12th, 2007 at 15:45
I hope she doesn’t suffer the same political mudslinging that Natasha Stott Despoja did!!
March 12th, 2007 at 18:16
Well, I’d like to see Rudd become PM this year. I’d like the Greens even more but I wouldn’t even know who the leader of their party is. So, when it comes down to it, I’ll vote Labor. I do wish the Greens would make themselves more heard politically - it would be nice to have a viable 3rd option.
March 13th, 2007 at 0:41
As a member of the party, I’d have serious reservations about backing Larissa as the least experienced of the candidates. Being the Senate candidate makes her the de-facto leader of the party, and she is untried and has no exposure to the internal processes of the party. How would she deal with the internal governance issues? We can’t say, because she’s not been around long enough.
Also, I’ve heard Larissa speak in public on more than one occasion, and she has a LOT to learn in this area. Do we want someone who has insufficient understanding of policy (having not developed any) and with no public speaking ability as the face of the party? Even if Huggies were right.
I’m non-aligned in the current preselection debate (and I’m not even sure I *will* vote) but these issues concern me, as does a recent tactic of Larissa’s supporters of emailing the party members basically saying “Larissa is pretty, so we should vote for her”. I’d have thought the Greens would be above such incredibly shallow logic in their preselection choices.
March 13th, 2007 at 7:56
Huggies:
Mez: I don’t think she’s been subjected to any of that. Her last major campaign was against Premier Peter Beattie and I don’t think Premier Pete would stoop to such tactics.
Boff: I’ll be voting 1 Green, 2 Labor
Aurelius: Thanks for your comment. I understand from your blog that you have considerable experience with another political party so your comments here are valuable.
As NOT a member of the party, I haven’t been subjected to any of these “vote for pretty Larissa” e-mails, but I, too, would have thought the Greens would be above such incredibly shallow logic. Also, I haven’t seen Larissa speak at public meetings, but I have heard her on the electronic media. If you have any tips, I’d be pleased to pass them on.
If the Greens have superior candidates, that’s encouraging. All I can say is that I know Larissa walks the walk 24×7. She’s Green all the time, not just when the cameras are rolling. I can personally vouch for Larissa’s intelligence, enthusiasm and committment.
April 1st, 2007 at 12:28
Word is that Larissa has won - congratulations, Larissa.
Cheers
April 1st, 2007 at 18:06
Stuart: … subject to any appeal which may be lodged during the appeal period & ratification by State Council, of course…
July 28th, 2007 at 23:39
Oh… I had not considered that… see, in the Labor Party, we all love each other, and that stuff doesn’t happen.
*cheesy smile*
October 17th, 2007 at 16:34
Larissa Waters
Have a look at this to hear why to vote for Larissa.
I have met Larissa numerous times, and every time she has presented herself professionally and confidently.
I disagree that she has not been seen at public meetings. She has been present at Australians Against Capital Punishment meetings as well as numerous global Warming, WorkChoices and Council Amalgamation rallies.
Those are just the meetings I have been at, and I know she is almost constantly booked out with meetings and speeches to the public, not just wherever the mainstream media can be found.
It is degrading to suggest that she has won her candidacy through her looks. I too have not experienced the internal politics of the party, but I’m sure that anyone who has made their way to this position within the Greens has the right moves, regardless of experience. Personally, I believe that if Larissa has been chosen to be the ‘de facto leader’ as Aurelius puts it, more experienced members are obligated to provide their support to give us the best possible chance of taking out a senate seat.
That’s my two cents…
October 24th, 2007 at 10:11
Having known Larissa in the past while she was still studying at university, I believe she is in politics for all the right reasons and will be a brilliant senator. I hope she wins and she will be getting my vote. You go girl.
Karen White
November 29th, 2007 at 11:02
LARISSA WATERS ROCKS!
November 29th, 2007 at 11:02
Larissa is cool
i like her alot.
she’ll be getting my vote !
(Y)
February 18th, 2009 at 10:40
see Ethos Foundation website
Im a media/communications professional with strong background in environmental education– interested in connection/possible links