HIGGINS BY- ELECTION – ROUND-UP

Congratulations and thanks to everyone who participated in our VOTE CLIMATE campaign in Higgins over the last month. We certainly helped put climate on the election agenda.

While there was not an overall swing away from those who support climate denial and inaction (it was always going to be extremely difficult to get a big shift in such a safe Liberal seat), there was a swing away from the Liberal candidate in the majority of the polling booths we focused on.

Our biggest efforts were in the Malvern booth (Malvern Central school) around which we door-knocked, put leaflets in letterboxes and handed out on polling day – this booth had a 3.2% swing away from the Liberal candidate.

And 11 of the 18 booths we handed out scorecards at on Saturday did have a swing away from the Liberal party. While it’s hard to know the different influences operating in each area, we can take some credit for this result!

To see the specific results in the booth you worked on go to: http://vtr.aec.gov.au/HouseDivisionPollingPlaces-14358-215.htm

To see the overall results for Higgins go to: http://vtr.aec.gov.au/HouseDivisionFirstPrefs-14358-215.htm

Specific achievements

* over 125 volunteers handing out scorecards on election day
* 18 booths covered by VOTE CLIMATE volunteers
* combined with the Australian Youth Climate Coalition this meant over two-thirds of booths were covered
* around 30 volunteers letterboxing, postering and working on the campaign in the weeks leading up to polling day
* approx. one third of the electorate was letterboxed with our scorecard
* 20 people door knocking – great trial for next year!
* Candidates Forum organised and promoted
* extensive coverage in local media and The Age
* opportunity for climate action groups to work together on an election

The campaign was a great opportunity to learn from each other as we prepare for a much more important campaign as part of next year's Federal election. So please stay in touch so we can work together on the campaign next year.

Thanks to Families Facing Climate Change for their great efforts and great local media coverage.

And a huge thanks to Jane Morton from DCAN for really driving this campaign – she is off having a well-earned holiday!

If anyone wants to ask any questions - give Damien 0419 253 342 or Suzie 0419 002 606 a call.

Most of all we had fun and hope you did too.

Cheers

Suzie and Damien

for the Vote Climate in Higgins Campaign

PS. we are down $700 on our budget for the campaign if you can help out please let us know.