DEAR News Of The Area,
ADVANCE is a Liberal funded lobby group with a major aim of wrecking the Greens (‘We won’t be silenced on offshore wind’, Sandra Bourke, spokesperson Advance, NOTA,12 May 2025).
When you think about the reasoning behind this objective one can only come to the conclusion that Advance has a major aim to support the fossil fuel industry.
They see the Greens as a major impediment to the continuation of burning coal and gas.
That the Greens now have the balance of power in the Senate, would be Advance’s worst nightmare. Advance has harnessed local community opposition and ensured that renewables became an emotional political issue.
They have been supported by political opportunists such as Peter Dutton, Barnaby Joyce and now Senator Jacinta Price who has recently taken on the role of fundraiser for Advance – link https://theklaxon.com.au/the-price-is-right-liberals-in-early-maga-test/.
During the last Federal election we saw extraordinary amounts of money spent by the Liberals in Paterson.
They obviously believed Paterson was a winnable seat.
However, Labor’s member for Paterson was returned with a swing of over five percent.
The Greens maintained their local support and national support.
The Greens also achieved two of their election goals of ousting Dutton and gaining the balance of power in the Senate.
So when we assess the impact of Advance and their success by comparison, they don’t appear to have achieved any of their goals.
Advance and their backers in the fossil fuel industry have severely underestimated the intelligence of the Australian voter who understands that we must get out of coal and gas for a safer, cooler planet.
When all political groups are required to reveal their election expenses after June, I challenge Advance to open their books as well.
How much did Advance spend during the last election, who were the recipients, and where did their funding come from?
Regards.
Kathy BROWN,
Port Stephens Greens.
