Good afternoon everyone!

It’s great to be here today. For those you don't know me, my name is Marshall, and I am your Green-Left Candidate for Cunningham. Some of you may remember me, I was the Labor candidate here last year. Boy, has a lot changed since then!

It is my honour to be the Green-Left candidate. I strongly believe in the Green Left party principles of Social Justice, Grassroots Democracy, Environmental Sustainability and Non-violence. Together, united by these values, we will make Australia a better place for everyone. Green Left has worked incredibly hard over the short time that we have existed, and with your vote, we can continue to provide that local representation that we value at Green Left,

Together with my friends, we will make a better Australia, and a much better Cunningham!

So what are our plans, our policy to do this? Well, we will make Australia fully operating on renewable energy by 2030! Together we will create an environmentally friendly economic plan that will create jobs, protecting the workers of our nation while preserving the beautiful Australian environment! Renewables have more jobs than coal, and in a sector that has only been growing, it would be irresponsible fiscal policy not to invest in renewables. Green Left is ready to embrace the future, and take you with us!

However, climate change isn’t the only environmental crisis occurring around us. The world is currently struggling with waste.

Waste, it is very disgusting, no one likes to see it, smell it or even touch it. But it is a problem, a major problem. The average Australian produces 2.7 tonnes of waste each year, 2700 kilograms, that is insanely high. We have a plan to reduce national waste by 10% by 2030, reducing it on average by 300 kilograms. I know some people don’t think this is a big deal, but it is. Plastic waste and waste in general clogs our rivers, destroys our forests and causes major ecological damage. With our National Waste Policy we are able to reduce our national waste while supporting job growth through recycling jobs. We can and will reduce our national waste and support job growth!

My friends, this election we have a unique choice to make. we can either progress as a country and make it work for everyone or we can go back to the politics of division and fear.

I will not create attack ads, I will not blame my opponents when things go south, if we want to progress and make a real difference, we must do it together, united as a country, as a people.

I want to share with you some words from one of the best politicians in history. Mr. Jack Layton said on his deathbed “My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world.” I believe in his words and what he stands for, it is very sad that he is not with us.

Together, we can build a better Australia, whether you're right, left or center. I ask that you join me and create a real difference and make a better Australia.

Thank you, everyone.