By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THE Greens candidates for Narre Warren South and Cranbourne officially launched their election campaigns over the weekend.
The event, held at the Dandenong Market on Saturday, saw the Greens candidate for the South Eastern Metropolitan Upper House Nina Springle launch the campaigns of Narre Warren South candidate Lynette Keleher and Cranbourne candidate Nakaraj Nakak, as well as Dandenong candidate John Gulzari.
Ms Keleher, a former Casey Councillor who has lived in the area for almost 30 years, said there were “so many households in Narre Warren” that aligned with the Green values.
“We need more jobs, better investment in education and improvements in TAFE, investment in health is also essential,” she said.
“We need a fair price for solar power – Narre Warren South has such great potential and could have a huge role to play in the renewable energies sector with the right support.”
She said she wanted to see Casey become a “Solar City”.
“There was a great uptake of solar when I initiated Casey’s first Bulk Buy Solar Panel Scheme, and I would dearly love to see Casey become a Solar City,” Ms Keleher said.
“If we had a fair Feed-in Tariff we could actually generate income for this municipality.”
Mr Nakak echoed Ms Keleher’s views on solar and commended Cranbourne residents for their committiment to renewable energies.
“Cranbourne is the leader in solar installations within Victoria, a simply amazing achievement,” he said.
“During our door-knocks, we walk all around different neighbourhoods and seeing every third or fourth house with solar is outstanding.
“The people of Cranbourne are investing in renewable energies and in the future of Australia – and they’re saving money from their power bills in doing so.”
But Mr Nakak outlined his concerns about the upcoming Victorian Essential Services Commission recommendation, which he believes will negatively impact the people of Cranbourne.
“Another concerning issue is the Victorian Essential Services Commission recommendation that from January 2015 the feed-in tariff be reduced from eight to six cents per kilowatt hour,” he said.
“This would unfairly punish those Cranbourne residents looking to save money through solar.
“The Greens are taking a stand on this issue and our Solar Savers initiative will mean that solar is given a fair price, and that installations are accessible, easy and affordable.”
