Lynton Vonow lives in the Adelaide Hills with his wife and children, after growing up on a cereal and sheep farm. He has studied Science and Education, has been a science teacher and is currently employed as a laboratory manager.
Lynton has been active in local environmental organisations, such as the Friends of Lobethal Bushland Park bushcare group, Birdwood High School's Sustainability Committee, and is a former chair of the Upper River Torrens Landcare Group. His other achievements include creating an endangered animal sanctuary and establishing a model Landcare style
repaired watercourse.
If elected, Lynton would:
- Be a strong voice in Canberra to rescue the Murray River, Lower Lakes and Coorong
- Move for immediate and decisive action to combat climate change
- Work to re-energise Australia, becoming a world leader in renewable energies
- Campaign for a $30 per week increase for pensioners
Lynton Vonow's Christian upbringing has given him a strong social and
environmental conscience. He is an ethical and responsible man of
integrity and common sense, ready to represent Mayo.
July 20, 2008
Vote Green in Mayo, send Rudd a message on the Murray
The Greens' campaign for the Mayo by-election was launched today in Adelaide by new South Australian Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Greens leader Senator Bob Brown.
Adelaide Hills resident Lynton Vonow, who was the Greens' candidate for Mayo in the 2007 federal election, is re-standing in the by-election brought about by Alexander Downer's retirement.
Mr Vonow said he was glad for the opportunity to stand again. "This by-election has come at a critical time for the River Murray, the Lower Lakes, and the Coorong, and Mayo voters have the chance to send a strong message to the Prime Minister about it.
"Voting for the Liberals is voting for the status quo, which just isn't good enough.
"Voting for Labor - well, the people of Mayo won't even have the chance to do that, since they're not bothering to field a candidate. That's a loss for democracy.
"But voting for the Greens will send a message loud and clear to Canberra that the Murray desperately needs water down here. And we need it now, not in six years," Mr Vonow said.
Mr Vonow has a Science degree and Diploma of Education and works as a School Services Officer. He grew up on a wheat and sheep farm, has lived in the Adelaide Hills for thirteen years, and is a former Landcare group chairman.
Senator Hanson-Young said Mr Vonow had been consistently campaigning within his community since last year's federal election. "I will be strongly supporting his campaign, along with my four fellow Greens Senators.
"This by-election is an opportunity for the people of Mayo to secure Greens representation in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and ensure that saving the River Murray and tackling climate change are firmly on the political agenda. These issues are core business for the Greens," she said.
A rise in the aged pension is another priority for the Greens, who are advocating a rise of $60 a fortnight.
The Greens won a by-election in 2002 in NSW's Cunningham, where Michael Organ achieved 52.23% of the two-party preferred vote.
Last year's federal election saw the Greens receive nearly 10,000 votes in Mayo, with a swing of more than three per cent.
The latest Newspoll of 11-13 July puts the Greens at 11 per cent of the primary vote, compared to 7.8 per cent at last year's federal election.
July 4, 2008
Greens to stand local man Lynton Vonow in Mayo by-election
Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young today announced Adelaide Hills resident Lynton Vonow as the Greens' candidate in the upcoming Mayo by-election.
Mr Vonow, who was also the Greens' candidate for Mayo in the 2007 federal election, said he was honoured to re-stand at the by-election. "These times are desperately critical for the River Murray, Lakes and Coorong, for our farmers' viability, for decisively tackling global warming, and for our regional hospitals.
"A healthy environment is crucial to a strong economy.
"The Greens are the only party have these understandings as core business," he said.
Last year's federal election saw the Greens receive nearly 10,000 votes in Mayo, with a swing of more than three per cent.
Mr Vonow has a Science degree and Diploma of Education and works as a School Services Officer. He grew up on a wheat and sheep farm, has lived in the Adelaide Hills for thirteen years, and is a former Landcare group chairman.
Senator Hanson-Young, who this week officially became South Australia's first Greens Senator, said Mr Vonow was a strong candidate for Mayo.
"The Greens vote in South Australia is growing and growing. The latest Newspoll puts us at nine per cent of the primary vote, up from 6.9 at last year's federal election.
"Voters have embraced the Greens as the true alternative, as the difference between the two major parties shrinks smaller and smaller.
"Lynton has been consistently campaigning within his community since last year's federal election and I will be strongly supporting his campaign, along with my four fellow Greens Senators.
"This by-election is an opportunity for the people of Mayo to secure Greens representation in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and ensure that key issues like saving the River Murray are firmly on the political agenda," Senator Hanson-Young concluded.