Organ Returns From Political Hiatus

Illawarra Mercury

Thursday October 25, 2007

By PAUL McINERNEY

AFTER his defeat as the sitting member for Cunningham at the hands of Labor in 2004, Greens history-maker Michael Organ decided to take a break from politics.

"I have always been committed to this area, but politics can burn you out," he said at the Greens' Auburn St campaign headquarters yesterday.

The rest, he insists, has done him good and he's looking forward to once again locking horns with his main adversary Sharon Bird.

He has no illusions of pulling off another political miracle and regaining a seat in the House of Representatives for the Greens like he did in the 2002 Cunningham by-election.

"I will go into this election with the same attitude I had in 2004 and that's to take a positive message to the voters of Cunningham. To offer them an alternative voice to the major political parties," he said.

"Nothing has changed in the last three years in Cunningham, the main issues are still high unemployment, hospitals, health care, a lack of a public dental health scheme and the impacts of poverty.

"A lot of those come from continual neglect by the Howard Government over the past decade."

There are also new issues emerging, including climate change.

"People now really know and can appreciate the messages and warning the Greens have been issuing over many years," Mr Organ said.

"But the primary issue for voters is that they want change.

"I hope they (voters) not only recognise the need for change of government, but also change of the Senate which the Government controls to the detriment of Australians."

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

Back to News Index | Back to Home