Rann and Kerin must listen to the people
MEDIA RELEASE
Goolwa, Sunday 12 February, 2006 The 100km Murray to Mike walk concludes in Adelaide today with a festive rally in Elder Park, featuring SA film-maker Rolf de Heer, Unions SA, SACOSS, environment groups and community members. The rally demonstrates wide community support for strong policies on climate change and renewable energy at the March 18 election.
Supported by Greenpeace and the Conservation Council of South Australia, the 27 walkers have travelled through some of Australia's most climate change-vulnerable land to draw attention to the urgent need for action to quit greenhouse polluting coal and shift to clean, renewable energy.
Greenpeace energy campaigner and walker, Ben Pearson, said Over the past five days, we have been struck by the level of concern amongst South Australians about climate change. They understand that climate change impacts threaten their lives and livelihoods and they want action.
Catherine Way from the Conservation Council of South Australia, said By completing this physical challenge, we've set a serious challenge to all parties to the March 18 election to commit to take climate change seriously. Mike Rann and Rob Kerin must both commit to legislating to require the state to shift to clean, renewable energy.
SA film-maker, Rolf de Heer, who will speak at the welcome rally, said South Australia has been a creative centre in Australia for decades. Our artists, events and festivals make a global impression. Some credit for that is due to government support for creativity and creative people.
Now it's vital that we support creative thinkers and practitioners in the field of climate change and renewable energy, to help them make a global impression of much greater importance. The promise of major action in this area would really give me something to vote for.
Volunteer walker and retired country vet, David Gill, said "Having worked in the edge of Adelaide and the country I have seen much environmental damage. However in the last year, climate change has come the top of my concerns. I am walking to do what I can to publicise the issue, to help politicians see that it is an issue that people are concerned about."
A small group of walkers will formally complete the walk tomorrow morning, taking a bottle of water filled at the Murray to Parliament House.
Contact: Communications Officer, Sarah Jenkinson on 0418 650 995 or Communications Officer Tim Hollo on 0411 032 375
Briefing papers on the walk and on the Murray River are available on request
