Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy Australia

Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy Australia
Leader Richard McNeall
Founded 2007
Headquarters 100 The Crescent
CHELTENHAM NSW
Ideology environmentalism
Website
http://www.efn.org.au/

Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy Australia is the Australian affiliate[1] of Environmentalists for Nuclear, a pro-nuclear power non-profit organisation claiming over 9,000 members in 60 countries. Australia has no nuclear power plants, but nuclear power in Australia was an issue in the 2007 elections.

EFN-Australia refers to itself as a not-for-profit environmental association, registered as a political party. EFN-Australia was registered as Conservatives for Climate and Environment in early 2007. Its stated major objective is to achieve the strongest possible action on climate change:[1] 1) by promoting acceptance of nuclear energy as a significant part of the solution to climate change; 2) by supporting all viable technologies for greenhouse gas abatement; 3) by pushing for ambitious emissions reduction targets and timelines, achieved by a strong carbon price signal; 4) by endorsing and promoting the election of candidates to the Senate, House of Representatives and/or State Parliaments; 5) by having a politically non-partisan agenda, welcoming positive action from all sides.

History

As Conservatives for Climate and Environment, the organisation was based on support for the economic policies of the governing Liberal and National parties, but with greater emphasis on the importance of climate change[2] , and focused on environmental policies, which included the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol[2] and an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. A small-l liberal approach to social policy was stated, with their website condemning the treatment of Australian terrorism suspect David Hicks.[2] The party also supported greater protection for native forests and opposed the Gunns pulp mill in Tasmania,[2] which has the support of both major parties.

Electoral fortunes

The 2007 federal election was the first election contested by the CCE. It contested three lower house seats (Farrer, Gilmore, and Warringah) in New South Wales, and one seat (Mayo) in South Australia. In the upper house, the Senate, CCE contested in three states, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. CCE gained 9,988 votes or 0.08 percent of the national total in the Senate (between 0.10 percent and 0.13 percent in the three states contested). Results in the 4 lower house seats ranged from 0.46 percent to 1.30 percent.[3] CCE preferenced the Liberal Party, ahead of the Labor Party and The Greens.

Of notability, despite the CCE favouring the coalition on economic issues, 56 percent of their preferences went to the Labor Party.[4]

The CCE vote declined at the 2008 Mayo by-election from 1.3 percent, however there was a field of 11 candidates.

In 2009, CCE applied to the Australian Electoral Commission to change its name to "Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy Australia". The application was accepted by the AEC.[5] The party was voluntarily deregistered in 2010 due to a lack of members, however it is working to re-register.

Some of the membership decline was as a result of the change in name and in focus. One notable resignation was Simon Blake who had contested the seat of Gilmore on behalf of the party at the 2007 election.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy Australia". Retrieved 2009-11-13.
  2. 1 2 3 4 McNeall, Richard. "Conservatives for Climate and Environment". Retrieved 2007-11-10.
  3. ↑ "Australian Electoral Commission". Retrieved 2008-01-06.
  4. ↑ Two Candidate Preferred Preference Flow
  5. ↑ "Name Change: Conservatives for Climate and Environment" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-10-25.

External links

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