Glen Innes educator and activist Mercurius Goldstein has been pre-selected by the Greens to contest the seat of New England at the next federal election.
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Campaign priorities for the Greens include standing with farmers against the Shenhua Liverpool Plains coal mine, creating local jobs in renewable energy throughout the region, and restoring integrity to politicians ‘pay and perks.
Mr Goldstein said his candidacy reflects the Greens' commitment to sustainable agriculture and working constructively with farmers and their families.
"The Greens were the first party to stand with farmers on the Liverpool Plains against coal seam gas as far back as 2008,” he said.
"It is also critical that we secure the next stage of Gonski funding for public schools, so that students in rural areas get a fair go.”
Mr Goldstein also questioned the sitting member’s commitment to the New England electorate.
"Once people take a closer look at the quality and integrity of Greens policies, I think more New England voters will be willing to give us a go,” he said.
“Mr Joyce's position in Tony Abbott's Cabinet had undermined his ability to be an effective local representative and now he's trying to run a mile from poor government decisions, even though he's a key government member.
“The Greens are ready to work for renewal in New England."
However, Federal Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said that the Greens policies are ‘just plain madness’ and that they have a problem with humanity.
“The Greens have to tell us how their policies will create employment for the New England electorate,” he said.
“The Greens have the wealthiest constituency and the Nationals have the poorest so all I want for my electorate is jobs for locals.
“The Greens oppose jobs with their policies, for example on live cattle trade; this means they are jeopardising jobs, not creating them.”
Mr Joyce added that he believes people in the electorate would be happy that he is in a position of the most influence for the things that matter to local constituents.
“I would think many people would be happy with the Nationals work in the region, I am sure they would be happy with our work to make sure the income earning capacity of local agriculture is moving in a positive direction,” he said.
“We have created hundreds of jobs in the blueberry market in Tenterfield, we have started the NBN rollout, invested via federal grants to bridges in Glen Innes, the expansion of tomato farming in Guyra, beef and sheep abattoirs in Inverell and Tamworth and the poultry production and processing industry in the electorate’s south.
“There are many questions voters in New England have to ask of the Greens, namely what is their policy on timber, the live cattle trade, the poultry industry, dairy farming all things that bring income to local constituents.”
