Green offers alternative

Press, 2 June 1989, Page 2

Green offers alternative

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington

Moves to form a new political movement similar to the Green Party which recently won five seats in the Tasmanian state elections are under way in Wellington. It has been given the name of Green Alternative List and its founders see it as an alternative to political parties, rather than a party itself. “There is clearly a need for a new approach to politics in New Zealand,” said Mr Stephen Rainbow, one of its founders. Mr Rainbow, a former Labour Party activist, said the present political parties did not offer any choice. “Voters should have an alternative. We believe that alternative must be Green,” he said. Mr Rainbow said Green

politics was a growing worldwide movement. It was far more than just a concern for the environment; it was a totally new holistic way of thinking. “It is peace, feminism, ecology, social justice and equality for all within a sustainable economic system.” he said. The G.A.L. would field candidates in this year’s local and regional government elections to give voters “a Green choice.”

It would seek to build on organisations already in the regions that were working in Green ways to improve things, Mr Rainbow said.

Green issues that needed to be raised in local body elections this year included support for the homeless, preservation of inner city areas, and opposition to big spending on local body projects.