John Kaye, Greens Member of Parliament and lead candidate on the NSW Greens Upper House ticket was in Singleton on Sunday to launch the campaign for Upper Hunter Greens candidate who bears the same name.
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Upper Hunter Greens candidate, John G. Kaye, a business manager and long term resident of the Denman area, is married with three children and put his hand up to run for state election under the Greens banner.
He is campaigning for the diversification of the Upper Hunter economy to provide new jobs in sustainable industries.
A key platform of the NSW Greens campaign for the March 2015 state election is the 100 per cent renewable campaign.
“By rapidly phasing out fossil fuel electricity generation and investing in wind power, solar technologies and energy efficiency, New South Wales can reap the benefits of a being a world leader in the clean energy economy,” Mr Kaye said.
“There is a need for diversification of the local economy to provide jobs in sustainable industries as the world responds to the challenge of climate change,” he said.
Agreeing with Mr Kaye’s comments, the parliamentary member Dr John Kaye believes a 100 per cent renewable New South Wales is not only essential, it is possible and affordable.
Both said the seat of Upper Hunter was critical given the debate over coal, the rail line, coal seam gas and land use conflict.
Mr Kaye said he wants a future which has moved from fossil fuels to sustainable and renewable energy production.
“I want to see the transition happen in my lifetime and to secure it for my children and their children.
“ The Upper Hunter suffers from a lack of diversity in its economic and employment base.
“Diversified economies are thriving economies, and so governments and industry need to encourage a diverse and sustainable mix of industries in the area,”‘ Mr Kaye said.
THE Nationals Upper Hunter Electorate Council met in Singleton at the weekend to unanimously endorse Upper Hunter Shire mayor Michael Johnsen as their candidate at the 2015 state election.
Mr Johnsen is a financial planner and former dairy farmer from Scone.
He has served on the Upper Hunter Shire Council since 2008 and is currently the mayor.
Mr Johnsen and his wife Zenda have two children: Ben, a self-employed bricklayer; and Lucy, an early learning university student.
He said he was incredibly humbled by the faith the party bestowed on him.
“Our area is a wonderful place to live and retiring Upper Hunter MP George Souris has done a brilliant job over the past 27 years, ensuring our region has seen enormous growth and has prospered,” Mr Johnsen said.
“I’ve enjoyed working with the community to deliver positive outcomes at the local government level.
“I’m standing to make sure the Upper Hunter continues to benefit from being in government, because The Nationals are the only party that can deliver for regional areas like ours.”
Already, former Upper Hunter mayor Lee Watts will run as an independent candidate while Muswellbrook Shire mayor Martin Rush was recently endorsed by Country Labor.
The story Michael Johnsen endorsed as The Nationals candidate first appeared on The Singleton Argus.
