THE Australian Greens have snubbed the major parties and will run a split ticket for preferences in the Gippsland by-election.
Greens candidate Malcolm McKelvie said this week neither Labor, Nationals nor the Liberal Party deserved his preferences.
``We decided neither of those major parties deserved to have our preference and in relation to that we wanted to send a clear message to the major parties that they needed to lift their game in the big areas of policy,'' Dr McKelvie said.
``There is barely a skerrick of policy daylight between the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and the Nationals on the big green issues in this campaign.
``The big policy issues we are talking about involve climate change and clean coal, forestry policy, genetically modified foods and social justice issues... so for that reason we are not directing our preferences.''
Dr McKelvie said the choice would not negatively affect the outcome of the Greens' campaign.
``What we have decided to do with our ballot cards is to introduce a split ticket which will provide people with guidance when making their formal vote,'' he said.
``So with our split ticket it basically has you voting number two on one side to go to Labor and the other to the Nationals.''
He said the option allowed constituents to vote for ``what they believe in first''.
Last week the Greens struck gold when they claimed top spot on the ballot paper following the Australian Electoral Commission draw.
At the draw Dr McKelvie hinted to The Express that Labor could miss out on Greens preferences because of the Rudd Government's support for the timber and coal industry.
Yesterday Dr McKelvie said climate change was a major issue in the Latrobe Valley but he was conscious of the jobs connected to the coal industry.
``The jobs in the Latrobe Valley (coal industry) are a big concern to us, but we think the solution is to move from the government's future interests in that industrial base and getting into the renewable technologies industry,'' Dr McKelvie said.
``People ought to be thinking about the long-term future and if the global warming estimates are accurate then... what's been observed has exceeded expectations.''
He said despite the recent controversy surrounding wind farming, the Latrobe Valley will eventually need to embrace the renewable technology.
``The future of the whole country and the whole world is at stake, so whether or not windfarms are built here or there, this is a minor consequence to the widespread disruption that we're facing,'' Dr McKelvie said.
Next Wednesday Gippsland residents will get the chance to question candidates Darren Chester (Nationals), Darren McCubbin (ALP) and Rohan Fitzgerald (Liberal Party) on their polices and issues affecting the electorate.
The candidate debate, hosted by the Rural Press Club, will be held at Quality Inn Latrobe Convention Centre, Traralgon with doors opening at midday.
The debate will start at 12.30pm and give the media and public the chance to question candidates from the three major parties.
Each candidate will speak for seven minutes before handing it over to the audience.
It will cost $38 to attend the debate which includes a two-course lunch.
For more details contact 96965899.