Greens choose leader

THE Tasmanian Greens voted Denison MP Cassy O’Connor their new leader last night.

The party has been without a leader since the sudden resignation of Kim Booth last month.

The Greens held a partyroom meeting to vote on the new leader.

Ms O’Connor is scheduled to make a public address today.

The announcement was welcomed by former Australian Greens leader Bob Brown.

“Cassy’s a good choice,” said Dr Brown. “She’s had a lot of experience and she’ll be a very strategic and fast leader. She’ll keep the Government and Opposition on their toes.”

The change at the top of the Tasmanian Greens returns the leadership to Denison — the party’s stronghold in the state.

Ms O’Connor is the third female leader of the state Greens, following in the footsteps of Christine Milne and Peg Putt.

The resignation of Ms Putt in 2008 led to the election of Ms O’Connor to Parliament.

Ms O’Connor, who was born in Canberra and raised on Stradbroke Island, Queensland, is a former journalist and community activist.

She moved to Tasmania in 1989, had four children and worked as a journalist and political adviser.

Her public profile took shape after she led the campaign to stop the Ralphs Bay Conservation Area from development in 2004.

There are now three Greens in the Tasmanian Parliament: Ms O’Connor, Franklin MP Nick McKim and Bass MP Andrea Dawkins.

Mr McKim is set to nominate for preselection as a senator for Tasmania to replace outgoing Australian Greens leader Christine Milne.

Mr Brown said the changes under way put the Greens on a strong footing.

“Tasmania is moving towards a very strong Greens team in both state and federal arenas,” he said.

“Renewal is something that the Labor and Liberal parties might regret they haven’t done.”