THE Greens have put their faith in Adam Stone not only to become the party's first elected Queensland MP, but also to topple a future Labor leader and influence the policies of an incoming Liberal National Party government.
At the party's campaign launch in Brisbane yesterday, Mr Stone -- who is running in Mount Coot-tha against the incumbent, Treasurer Andrew Fraser, and the LNP's Saxon Rice -- was promoted as the lead candidate for the party that does not have a state leader.
Asked whether the lack of a leader had hamstrung the Greens in the presidential-style campaign, Mr Stone said he believed the party had strength in its diverse and grassroots representation.
"There's a variety of talent and a variety of views and a variety of sets of world views available to voters," Mr Stone said.
Federal Greens leader Bob Brown said if Mr Stone -- who has a background in public policy and is articulate and confident on the hustings -- were allowed to take the stage with LNP leader Campbell Newman and Premier Anna Bligh, he would steal votes from the major parties.
The launch was heavily focused on the need for greater controls over the coal-seam gas and coal industries, including protection of agricultural land and the Great Barrier Reef, and for mining companies to help, not hinder, the local economy.
The Australian
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