Greens NSW members preselect Senator Lee Rhiannon for upcoming federal election

A ballot of Greens NSW members has preselected Lee Rhiannon as the party's lead Senate candidate for NSW in the upcoming federal election.

Senator Rhiannon was elected to the Senate in 2010 and has served as the Australian Greens spokesperson for Higher Education, Aid, Democracy, Water, Animal Welfare and Local Government.

"At the next federal election the Greens will take the challenge straight up to Tony Abbott and Bill Shorten," Senator Rhiannon said.

"We are working to grow our vote, hold our Senate seats across the country and run strong, competitive campaigns in key lower house seats in NSW.

"We are ready for a possible double dissolution election. We will be working hard to win a second Greens Senate seat in NSW and to build on our recent Lower House wins on the far north coast and the inner city.

"A top priority at the coming election is to defeat the Abbott government. Voting for the Greens and preferencing against the Coalition is a safe way to achieve this and to send Labor a message.

"I would like to thank all Greens NSW members who took part in this preselection, as well as the candidates who put themselves forward for an opportunity to serve as a Greens Senate candidate.

"I am incredibly proud of our party's grassroots democratic processes that stand in stark contrast to the factional backroom deals of the major parties.

"Over the past two years we have seen the impact of the destructive policies of the Abbott government - undermining universal healthcare, slashing funding to public education, attacking workers' rights, gutting environmental protections and lack of action on climate change.

"We also have a Labor Opposition that too often has supported Tony Abbott's appalling policy agenda and not stood up to him.

"As the Greens lead Senate candidate in NSW, I am looking forward to working with my colleagues, Greens candidates, community groups and unions across the country to fight for Greens values and policies," Senator Rhiannon said.

Contact - Brami Jegan 0487 350 880