February 5, 2020
A rally was held outside the Electorate Office of Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington on Wednesday to press home the point that any incoming conservative government must listen to farmers and fishers.
The Green Shirts Movement is a grassroots political movement – but not a political party – lobbying on behalf of the rural community.
It is not aligned to any party but national co-ordinator Martin Bella stressed it was a conservative movement.
He said it was lobbying the LNP, KAP, One Nation, Shooters, Fishers & Farmers and micro-parties to achieve the outcomes that its members desire.
In its sights on Wednesday were vegetation management laws, vegetation maps, reef regulations and the closure of maternity wards.
The dozen or so protesters – all dressed in green – gathered quietly outside the MP’s office and talked to staff about their aims and objectives.
Dave McEvoy, who had travelled from north of Brisbane for the event, told southburnett.com.au that restrictions which were affecting the livelihoods of farmers and fishers had to be lifted.
“We need the conservatives to spell out their vision and their plans; to say what changes they are going to make,” he said.
Mr Bella said he was urging people to get involved and join political parties – it didn’t matter which one – and start to make their voices heard at a grassroots level.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington was not in her office during the rally as State Parliament is sitting, however she has agreed to meet with the Green Shirts at a later date.
In a statement distributed at the rally, Mrs Frecklington thanked the Green Shirts for their “relentless efforts on behalf of rural and regional communities”.
“Regional Queensland is in the LNP’s DNA and we share your passion for a bright future,” she said.
“In stark contrast, communities outside of south-east Queensland have been neglected by Labor for too long.”
She reminded the Green Shirts about the LNP’s promised “New Bradfield Scheme”, the plan to introduce competition into the regional electricity market to lower power costs, and the LNP’s 10-point bushfire plan.
“Ultimately, I seek your support in toppling Annastacia Palaszczuk’s government so the LNP can start building a stronger economy and bridging the divide between the city and regional Queensland,” Mrs Frecklington wrote.
The Green Shirts Movement also held a meet’n’greet on Wednesday night at the Carrollee Hotel to meet local residents and GSM members.
- Related article: Green Shirts Plan Kingaroy Rally
