11th September 2006 - The Greens continue to build their voter base on the Gold Coast with nearly 17,500 voters giving them their first vote representing a 13% increase in primary votes since the 2004 election.

Half of those who voted for the Greens on the Gold Coast did not allocate preferences, with as many as 60% withholding preferences in Gaven.

"This result shows that Greens voters have faith that the Greens will eventually be represented in government on the Gold Coast and are not just a preference machine Gaven candidate" Glen Ryman said today.

"This result also shows that under the current electoral system one in ten Gold Coasters are not represented by the party of their choice. Under a Tasmanian-style proportional representation system they would get true representation in government," Mr Ryman added.

While voters swung to the Greens in seven of the nine Gold Coast seats, the outstanding results were in Southport where Carla Brandon achieved a 3% swing and increased the Greens percentage of the vote by nearly 50%. Mike Beale achieved more than 10% of the primary vote in Burleigh and both Inge Light in Currumbin and Glen Ryman in Gaven scored over 9%.

Ms Brandon said her result reflected community anger at the Spit development plans and Mr Beale put his good result down to the failure of both the government and opposition to come up with solutions to the planning and infrastructure problems facing the Gold Coast.

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