Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Political parties not only ones campaigning

Updated at 10:41 pm on 16 August 2010

Political parties are not the only organisations targeting marginal seats in the Australian election.

The community action organisation called Get Up is campaigning for better treatment for asylum seekers, the introduction of a price on carbon and for more money for mental health services.

Get Up is a largely internet-based group, but also campaigns on the streets and through television advertisements, Radio New Zealand's political editor reports.

In the marginal Sydney seat of Bennelong, held for years by the former coalition prime minister John Howard but now by Labor's Maxine McKew, Get Up volunteers have been busy campaigning at the Eastwood shopping centre.

They say the problem of the so-called boat people has been exaggerated by political parties in an attempt to win the support of voters in key marginal seats.

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