Liberal machine set to install colourless Debnam

"The Prime Minister and the religious right, which now dominates the NSW Liberals, have had a big win with the Debnam leadership promotion," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Machine politics now rules the major parties in this state. Debnam's appointment to the top NSW Liberal job is a mirror image of how NSW Labor promoted Mr Iemma.

"The fact that within 36 hours of Mr Brogden stepping down the right wing Liberal machine had their chosen leader in place is disturbing. The way the NSW Liberals have handled the leadership change over shows their disregard for democratic processes.

"Mr Debnam's leadership depends on some of the most conservative politician forces in Australia today.

"Mr Debnam will feel indebted to those right wingers that want to end women's right to choose abortion, who have little regard for environmental protection and who are strongly committed to John Howard's scorched earth approach to workers' rights.

"In the eastern suburbs Mr Debnam is seen as a colourless character who is out of step with his own electorate.

"In the last federal election there was a strong swing against the Liberals in the Wentworth electorate which covers Debnam's seat of Vaucluse," Ms Rhiannon said.

More information: 9230 3551 or 0427861568

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today that plans to appoint Peter Debnam as NSW Liberal leader reflects the ascendancy of the extreme right wing within the Liberal Party.

"The Prime Minister and the religious right, which now dominates the NSW Liberals, have had a big win with the Debnam leadership promotion," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Machine politics now rules the major parties in this state. Debnam's appointment to the top NSW Liberal job is a mirror image of how NSW Labor promoted Mr Iemma.

"The fact that within 36 hours of Mr Brogden stepping down the right wing Liberal machine had their chosen leader in place is disturbing. The way the NSW Liberals have handled the leadership change over shows their disregard for democratic processes.

"Mr Debnam's leadership depends on some of the most conservative politician forces in Australia today.

"Mr Debnam will feel indebted to those right wingers that want to end women's right to choose abortion, who have little regard for environmental protection and who are strongly committed to John Howard's scorched earth approach to workers' rights.

"In the eastern suburbs Mr Debnam is seen as a colourless character who is out of step with his own electorate.

"In the last federal election there was a strong swing against the Liberals in the Wentworth electorate which covers Debnam's seat of Vaucluse," Ms Rhiannon said.

More information: 9230 3551 or 0427861568