Greens MLC Sue Pennicuik has introduced a private members bill to prohibit the dumping of toxic sediments from the Yarra in Port Phillip Bay during the channel deepening project or at any other time.

The Greens are opposed to the channel deepening project, including the dredging of toxic sediments, on environmental and economic grounds.  

UPDATED! New Community Meetings:

Monday 1 September 7:30pm South Kingsville Community Centre, 43 Paxton Street, South Kingsville.

Thursday 18 September 7:30pm Sassella Park Hall, 121 Station Road, Deer Park.

Enter this page for information about the Eddington East West Links Needs Assessment and what it means for the West, including maps and descriptions of the roads, as shown at previous meetings.  Sign an online petition and find out how to get involved!

As Melbourne's public transport strains to meet demand and Victoria's greenhouse gas emissions spiral out of control, the Victorian Government is considering a proposal by Rod Eddington to build a tunnel connecting the East and West Freeways.

Colleen Hartland has tabled the Medical Treatment (Physician Assisted Dying) Bill 2008 to parliament on Wednesday 11 June.  Click here for a transcript of the Second Reading speech.

 The Bill provides the right for an adult who is suffering intolerably from a terminal or advanced incurable illness to ask a doctor for assistance to die peacefully.

 This campaign page includes a copy of the Bill, Frequently Asked Questions and other information. 

After the Victorian Law Reform Commission released their report Law of Abortion on 29 May, the government had an opportunity to end the uncertainty on a woman’s right to abortion in Victoria.

The Greens MLCs welcomed the report.  This campaign page will provide regular updates, inlcuding a copy of the Abortion Law Reform Bill 2008, a background briefing paper, links to media releases, articles and other information.  See also Pro Choice Victoria's position paper on the three "Models" for law reform.

The Greens policy on abortion includes a right of access to legal abortion, with access to counselling on personal and medical issues involved.

Colleen is working to get the truck traffic off residential streets.

The Maribyrnong Truck Action Group and local residents have ongoing concerns about damage to their health by exposure to diesel emissions that come from 20 000 trucks that go through the city of Maribyrnong each day.

Colleen opposes the proposed "Doggies Hilton" gambling facility at Edgewater: "Do football fans really want their clubs to be funded by family breakdown, crime, lost homes and ruined dreams?"

"I do not care if a team wins the grand final; it is a loser if its pay packets come from pokies."

Port Phillip Council have just endorsed a supposedly revised development plan for the St Kilda Triangle site. The revised plan is essentially the same and is still too big and inappropriately focussed on commercial activities such as dozens of retail stores, banks, insurance and travel agencies and a large supermarket. It is estimated to be around half the size of the massive Chadstone complex, which is just ridiculous for a site the size of the Triangle.

The development plan also includes cluster of nightclubs and bars for approximately 4000 patrons, numerous restaurants and cafes, a new hotel and convention space, a TAFE college, art gallery and a 1150-space car park, all squashed on rare and precious public land on the foreshore.

Apart from the problems with the development plan for the site, the the way that public land, which is owned by the people of Victoria, is being virtually handed over to a private developer for 99 years, should be of concern to all Victorians.

Our public land has been set aside for community benefit and use. That's what the community expects. If the Trinagle over- development is allowed, it will set a dangerous precedent for the use of public land all over Victoria.

 NEW:  See Sue's latest media release regarding the revised development plan

The desalination proposal is a loser for the environment, greenhouse gases, and the household budget. The proposal for desalination is reportedly for a 150,000 ML plant at a cost of $3 billion dollars. Based on past estimates, that would generate about 1 million tonnes of CO2. The EES process must consider alternatives which focus on conservation, rather than increasing consumption.

One million households in Melbourne don't have a water efficient showerhead. If the government paid for the installation of these, it would save 50 000 megalitres of water at half the cost of desalinated water and end up saving us money on our water bills. That's just a start on the water savings that could be made. Click here to learn more.

Latest updates:

12 March 2008: Colleen's motion passes in Parliament, winning promises of widespread action in response to Tottenham Chlorine Fire!  Click here

7 Feb 2008: Colleen's report released! 

click here for a copy of the report.   

 A factory fire on the corner of Roberts and Margot streets in West Footscray released a large quantity of toxic fumes, including Chlorine, on 22 December 2007. There have been a number of serious health effects reported, as well as severe damage to gardens and street trees, including vegetable gardens. Have you, your pets or your garden been affected by the fumes?

 The Greens have proposed a range of measures which, if adopted, would make Parliament more transparent and accountable. Since being elected, the Greens have moved to establish an anti-corruption commission, and have supported motions put by the non government parties to open up the legislative council, expand its role as a house of review, and establish the select committees into gambling and public land.

Click here to view the Green's ideas for making parliament work.

The Victorian Labor Government has broken their election promise and passed laws to allow our native forests to be logged, chipped and then burnt for electricity.

The Greens believe that our precious, majestic old growth is more valuable as a carbon bank than a shipload of woodchips or a pile of ash.

Protected forested catchments provide us with our scarce water supplies.