The stranglehold fossil fuel companies have over our political system is slowly killing off the Great Barrier Reef, says Queensland Greens Senator Andrew Bartlett.

Another study published today in Nature shows the Reef has been transformed by back to back mass bleaching.

“The Coalition government’s obsession with burning coal makes no sense until you consider the millions of dollars pumped into the Liberal and National parties by the fossil fuel industry.

“Burning fossil fuels impact lives and livelihoods.

MEDIA RELEASE – 19 April 2018

Greens announce support for Sussan Ley’s Private Member’s Bill to end live sheep exports

The Greens have announced that they will provide cross-party support for MP Sussan Ley’s private member’s Bill to end live sheep exports to the Middle East.

“The Greens have been working to end live exports for years and we welcome members from the major parties joining us in standing up for animal welfare,” Greens MP for Melbourne Adam Bandt said.

Greens ready to block NEG.

Greens climate change and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said that the more detail that emerges about the NEG, the worse the framework becomes. With each new revelation, it becomes increasingly difficult to see how the NEG is anything but a policy designed to placate Tony Abbott and the fossils on the backbench, meaning the Greens may have no choice but to block legislation when it comes to Federal Parliament.

Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has welcomed Government moves to ensure safe, quality aged care, but says more work needs to be done. 

“All sides of politics were shocked by abuses revealed in the Oakden and other scandals, it became clearer than ever that there needed to be a dramatic shake-up to ensure that older Australians were safe in aged care across the country. 

“The reforms announced today are a step in the right direction, particularly plans to establish a national independent Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. 

The Australian Greens have renewed their calls for an increase in Newstart and Youth Allowance following more evidence of the inadequacy of the payments. The latest study released today which shows family costs are significantly higher than previously thought should trigger an increase to Newstart and Youth Allowance.  

In the wake of the mass deaths of live export sheep the Greens are stepping up their call for the federal government to establish an Office of Animal Welfare independent from the Department of Agriculture.

“We must ensure animal abuse, similar to what has been exposed on the Awassi Express live export ship, never happens again. An Independent Office of Animal Welfare is needed as it could play a key role in ending the cruelty inherent in the live export trade,” Greens animal welfare spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said.

Greens Leader Dr Richard Di Natale will today announce the party’s plan to legalise cannabis for adult use. Dr Di Natale said our current approach to drugs in this country is an unmitigated disaster and that it is time for real reform.

“The war on drugs has failed. Governments around the world are realising that prohibition of cannabis causes more harm than it prevents. It’s time Australia joined them and legalised cannabis for adult use,” Dr Di Natale said.