"Climate change is THE issue: Bondi without the beach?"

"This election is a referendum on climate change. It's happening right now, right here all around us," Ms Coulton said today.

"Because cities are key generators of wealth and our economic growth , they are also the key generators of green house gas emissions and therefore, climate change.

" 'Humanity is changing Earth's climate so fast and devouring resources so voraciously that it is poised to bequeath a ravaged planet to future generations,' the United Nations has warned in its most comprehensive survey of the environment", according to a recent United Nations Report dated 26 October 2007, Ms Coulton notes.

"This a point corroborated by Commissioner Mick Keelty, Australian Federal Police [26 September 2007]," Ms Coulton said who notes Mr Keelty added "It [climate change] has the potential to wreak havoc, cause more deaths and pose national security issues like we've never seen before".

"Even if only some... [climate change] occurs, climate change is going to be the security issue of the 21st century".

"Clearly, any government that ignores climate change is ignoring reality," Ms Coulton said.

"All major parties have been crash-tackled by vested interests and are driven by short-term political fixes.

"The Tamar pulp mill shows how tuned-in voters are and how out of touch major parties are: their 1950s mentality has had them with their collective heads in the sand over the biggest challenge environmental challenge we face this century.

"Joel Tarling, a professional cartoonist, has captured these issues superbly in his cartoon drawing an analogy between the mill's excreta and upstream, water-borne toxin effects.

"Global warming causes rising sea levels, longer droughts, more water restrictions, higher food prices and escalating energy bills. It's a bigger threat than terrorism.

"It's a melt-down.

"ImagineBondi Beach without the beach," Ms Coulton said.

"Voters want government to govern. That means acknowledging problems and providing viable and sustainable solutions for our common benefit.

"It doesn't mean buying votes with large cash splashes or approving toxic pulp mills in the Tamar Valley to secure a marginal seat.

"We want renewable energy, no more coal-fired power stations or nuclear power and the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. 'Clean' coal is a fiction," Ms Coulton said.

"The Climate Change Coalitionis a free and independent voice, unlike the major political parties.

"We will drive the economy towards an energy revolution, creating long-term sustainable wealth and jobs, reducing green house emissions to produce a clean environment.

"I stand for:

• improved health and dental care
• better home and aged care
• high quality education
• more affordable housing
• more sustainable public transport
• increased levels of diversity and tolerance
• a flourishing arts community
• equal rights for same-sex relationships
• indigenous rights
• excellence in urban design
• good heritage conservation and adaptive re-use
• better public spaces and parks.

"Why should voters vote for me?  Because I'm independent and can better represent voters' best interests," Ms Coulton said.

"The Libs, with their 1950s mentality, have denied climate change - until now.

"Their 'last past the post' tradition has meant their 'dawning of reality' moments only come when their seats are threatened. Indigenous rights, withdrawal of troops from Iraq and climate change are three issues that come to mind.

"The  Labor Party will sell out at the drop of a hat. People feel hesitant about voting for The Greens’ rigid social and fiscal policies.

"Wentworth needs, deserves even,  an independent, powerful voice in Canberra.

"In the end, this earth does not belong to us - we belong to it: we need to manage it for our future.

"Let's start right now, together, right here in this election," Ms Coulton said in conclusion.

For further comments please phone Dixie Coulton 0412 426 690

Cartoon, copyright free, by Joel Tarling, profession cartoonist ph  4365 5332