The Australian Greens have called on the Rann Labor Government to come clean about the details of the prospective water deal done with upstream states before this weekend's state election, according to Green Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on the Murray Darling Basin, says she welcomes the prospect of more water coming down the river, but says that the government must release the details.

"It's always good to see more water for the river, but one has to question the timing of this announcement - luckily for Mr Rann it happens in the last week of a tight election campaign,'' Senator Hanson-Young said.

"What we need to know is what is the breakdown of this water figure. How much of the 400GL will go towards the neediest part of the river - 90 per cent? 50 per cent? 10 per cent?

"There are many different needs competing for precious water allocations, but it is critical that as much water as possible is allowed to reach the bottom end of the river and the Lower Lakes, to protect the system for future generations.''

The Greens have argued consistently that the Murray Darling Basin needs immediate action, rather than the delayed action promised by the Federal Government and Coalition.

"South Australia should not have to go cap in hand to upstream states whenever we get a flood-year in order, just to guarantee a viable water allocation.

"The only way to have long-term, sustainable management of the system is to have an independent, national authority with the power to make decisions without worrying about bickering politicians.

"The system needs to be managed across state borders, and there must be specific water allocation for the environment. We can't afford more delays, we need action now to fast-track the Basin plan, and to empower an authority to take the hard decisions on water.''

The study released by ClimateWorks today demonstrating that 25% cuts in greenhouse emissions by 2020 are eminently achievable and affordable has increased the pressure on Prime Minister Rudd to deliver serious climate action before this year's election.

But the report missed the opportunity to refresh the climate debate in Australia, bringing it back up the agenda focussed on the much steeper emissions cuts the science demands, the Australian Greens said.

"With the ClimateWorks study today and yesterday's CSIRO climate update, it is clear that Mr Rudd is going to face increasing pressure to deliver serious climate action before the election," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

"The Greens are ready, willing and able to deliver on serious climate action, and we look forward to reinvigorating the discussions with Minister Wong towards our proposed interim levy on polluters as a first step.

"We have so much evidence now - from ClimateWorks, McKinsey and even the Treasury - that 25% cuts are eminently achievable and affordable. That should be the minimum we aim for.

"There is so much evidence from around the world that the much steeper cuts that scientists tell us we need can bring tremendous social and economic dividends, drive faster innovation and reduce wasted investment.

"But we still have no-one in Australia seemingly willing to go beyond what Mr Rudd has declared is his maximum offer and examine the potential for 40% cuts and more.

"How much more powerful would this report have been if it refreshed the climate agenda by focussing it on the targets we need, rather than on weak political targets?

"What a pity that the ALP influence from the board has prevented ClimateWorks from doing the kind of study Australia really needed instead of replicating the kind of work that has already been done by Treasury, McKinsey and others.

"McKinsey has gone further than Climate Works already, demonstrating that 30% cuts by 2020 are eminently achievable and affordable, and Treasury has demonstrated that the difference in cost between cut of 5% and 25% is vanishingly small.

"The government's CPRS, as it stands, would lock out the option of going harder faster, would encourage the building of new coal fired power stations and would hide its failure with a bonanza of cheap and dodgy offsets from overseas.

"ClimateWorks has helped to demonstrate how short-sighted that approach is. It's time to move on."

The Australian Greens have introduced a range of amendments to strengthen accountability in the Telstra legislation and improve protection for users of telecommunications services.

"We have an opportunity to bring down costs for end-users, ensure more equitable access and faster services," said Greens Senator Scott Ludlam, spokesperson on Broadband, Communications & the Digital Economy.

"The Greens have been constructively working to improve the bill and provide greater protection for consumers. We are still deadlocked on the issue of the eventual privatisation of the National Broadband Network, and are insisting the Government show flexibility and common sense.

"The Greens will move further amendments to provide greater consultation on payphone removal, disability access to payphones, and better protection for smaller players in telecommunications markets. We believe we have Government support for the majority of our amendments: the key stumbling block will be the privatisation clauses," Senator Ludlam said.

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