The Greens’ unsuccessful candidate in Nicholls at the most recent Federal Election, Ian Christoe has shifted his focus to the state seat of Shepparton at this month’s election.
A cropping farmer from Undera, Mr Christoe has stood for the Greens in a number of federal and state elections, but this is his first time standing for the seat of Shepparton.
“Some people have progressive views and tendencies and they’re looking for a progressive candidate to vote for. I want to be that person,” he said.
“I want to think longer-term than I think most of the other candidates do, with policies that benefit our children and grandchildren rather than just the next three-year cycle.
“The Greens brand, I think, is improving year on year. Just because there’s more awareness of the problems, particularly of climate change, but other aspects of our unsustainable way of living and the loss of bushland and the degradation of our natural environment, so I think the message is getting through, particularly with the younger people who are growing up with that message.”
Other Greens candidates include Zoe Kromar in the seat of Ovens Valley, John Brownstein in Murray Plains, James Bennett in Euroa and Cate Sinclair in the Upper House for the Northern Victoria region.
The Greens’ policy platform includes the construction of 200,000 affordable and public homes over the next 20 years, a cap on rent increases in line with wage growth, a levy on the big banks, an end date for coal mining and burning in Victoria of 2030 and moving the state towards 100 per cent renewable energy.
The Greens currently have four members in Victorian Parliament, leader and member for Northern Metropolitan Samantha Ratnam, member for Melbourne Ellen Sandell, member for Brunswick Tim Read and member for Prahran Sam Hibbins.
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