As I write this the polls in Australia’s federal election have closed on the east coast. I spent the morning handing out how to vote information for the Greens and my feet are killing me.

While working my booth I had a chance to meet Peter Garrett, Labor’s shadow environment minister and the local member. I engaged him in a short conversation in which I asked him about potential timeframes for the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by a newly formed Labor government and his reply was encouraging to say the least. He said the process would be started next Monday, that’s only two sleeps away. Peter has been known for saying the odd thing out of turn during this election campaign, but I hope this comes to fruition in this timely fashion. He punctuated his side of the conversation with the words, “It’s long overdue”.

I don’t agree with Mr. Garrett on a number of issues (The Tamar Valley Pulp Mill, Nuclear Power and “Clean” Coal – to name a few), but I now look forward to seeing some real progress on this issue in the very near future.

Disclaimer: I am a member of The Randwick-Botany Greens