Former Greens leader Cassy O’Connor vows to ‘hold the line’ in Tasmania’s Upper House

Cassy O’Connor says she will put climate action on the Legislative Council’s agenda - and coordinate a push for donations reform - should she claim the seat of Hobart on 4 May.

Cassy O'Connor will run for the Tasmanian Greens in the seat of Hobart in the Legislative Council elections in 2024. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Former Greens leader Cassy O’Connor says she will put climate action firmly on the Legislative Council’s agenda - and coordinate a push for donations reform with her lower house colleagues - should she claim the seat of Hobart on 4 May.

Ms O’Connor said she would also use her position in the upper house to “hold the line” against destructive forestry practices, push back against plan for a new Hobart stadium, and keep the Rockliff Government accountable on delivering housing and cost of living relief.

“The people of our beautiful city have a chance to elect the first-ever Green to represent them this coming Saturday,” Ms O’Connor said.

“In this term of parliament, we can finally have both houses doing the right thing ... and enacting real electoral reform.

“To strengthen our democracy, the people of Tasmania deserve nothing less.”

Greens Leader Cassy O'Connor MP announces her resignation with Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Speaking on Sunday in North Hobart with less than a week before constituents in Hobart, Elwick, and Prosser return to the ballot box after the 23 March Tasmanian election, Ms O’Connor said voters had made their disenchantment with both major parties clear last month.

Ms O’Connor said those Hobartians she had doorknocked were in almost unanimous agreement on the need for improvements to housing affordability.

“Everyone has a story,” Ms O’Connor said.

“I’ve met numerous households where you’ve got older parents at home with kids there in their 20s because they cannot afford a rental.

“Housing is a burning issue in this community, and many people raise it in the context of the billion-dollar stadium plan for Macquarie Point.

“So we need a strong Green voice in the upper house to make sure we are standing against the stadium.

“We do need Greens in both houses of the Tasmanian so we can really drive reform, and do what we do best, which is hold the major parties to account.”

Ms O’Connor said she remained determined to strengthen Tasmania’s integrity bodies, and remove the “dirty money” from the state’s political system.

She said that by boosting the Greens’ party room, Hobart voters could help deliver genuine and positive change for all Tasmanians.

“In this term of the Parliament, both Houses can do the right thing and move to enact nation-leading donations and electoral reform,” Ms O’Connor said.

“The people of Tasmania deserve nothing less.”