‘We know it’s very progressive’: Green have targeted traditionally safe Illawarra Labor seats

The Greens have made more appearances in the Illawarra than the Liberal’s candidate in Cunningham and the left-wing party’s top NSW senate prospect explained there’s a reason for that.

Greens senate hopeful David Shoebridge made his third and final stop to the Illawarra during the election campaign in a last-ditch attempt to swing voters.

The former state pollie was in Wollongong on Friday supporting the party’s candidates Dylan Green (Cunningham) and Jamie Dixon (Whitlam).

Mr Shoebridge said the Greens have had a strong presence in the region throughout the last six weeks because there is a sense within the left-wing party that they have a lot of support, especially in the north.

“We know it’s a very progressive part of the country,” Mr Shoebridge said.

“In fact, the ABC’s Vote Compass has Cunningham in the top 10 most progressive seats in the country and that’s how it feels on the ground.

“It’s been a pleasure campaigning with Jamie and Dylan. Dylan brings the perspective of the younger generation that is sick and tired of this government selling off their future.

Posted by David Shoebridge on Friday, May 20, 2022

“Jamie Dixon has run a campaign that is full of energy, he’s got terrific grassroots connections and he is a terrific advocate for the Greens – we’re just grateful it’s not shearing season because anyone who can herd alpacas can herd Greens voters.”

The Greens have made a plethora of pledges in recent weeks including two specifically targeted towards the Illawarra - the completion of the Maldon-Dombarton rail line and the transformation of the Steelworks into a green steel hub.

“We are committed to both of those projects because both are vital for the future of the Illawarra,” he said.

“We not only need to be making green steel here in the Illawarra, but we need to be linking the region to south west Sydney – allowing jobs to flow both ways.”

Mr Shoebridge said the money would be available for these projects if the government stopped “pouring money” into fossil fuels and “gave a haircut” (aka increase the taxes) to billionaires.

The former barrister also said corruption has been a significant issue on the campaign trail.

“One thing that keeps coming back when I am talking to voters across the state, and I am getting similar feedback from Dylan and Jamie, is the need for a national ICAC,” he explained.

Greens candidates Jamie Dixon (Whitlam), Dylan Green (Cunningham) and David Shoebridge (senate) at Kembla Grange Racecourse Station last week. Picture: Dylan Arvela

“There is a real sense of anger with the Morrison government for not [implementing an ICAC] and pork-barrelling with government grants.

“The Greens want one in the first two weeks of the next parliament. That’s one of our core demands of a minority Labor government.”

For the Greens to have a major influence over the next government they will need to hold the balance of power at which point, Mr Shoebridge said, the two majors would have no choice but to work with them.

“We have had great indicators,” Mr Shoebridge said.

“We have had a record number of volunteers and record fundraising across the country – not billionaires, but people making their contribution to the party.

“We are hopeful of securing 12 Greens senators and we are hopeful of increasing our numbers downstairs to help us put forward ideas that are missing from the Coalition and Labor.

“Labor and the Coalition have both said with complete arrogance that they won’t work with the crossbench to form a minority government.

“It is looking like neither party is going to get more than a third of the vote and with a third of the vote they are not entitled to absolute power in parliament – they’re going to get a rude shock if they pretend that they can.”