ACCC diagnoses energy ‘market’ broken, but prescription will make problems worse: Bandt

Greens Acting Leader and climate change and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said that the ACCC report shows that treating electricity like a stockmarket has failed, but that it calls for more of the same in the vain hope of a different outcome. Mr Bandt also said the government must rule out the ACCC’s proposals to axe support for rooftop solar and to provide new public funds to gas- and coal-fired power stations

The Australian Greens have welcomed the Government pressing ahead with funding for Indigenous Protected Areas, and have welcomed the renewing of contracts, but will be chasing up the role that the Department of Environment plays in the critically important programme. 

“It is good the Government is getting on with funding for Indigenous Protected Areas but I note funding was announced last year and contracts could have been signed, sealed and delivered a year ago. The stalling has created unnecessary stress and things could have moved quicker. 

Greens launch push for parliamentary commission of inquiry into the failures of deregulation and privatisation of electricity retailers.

Greens Acting Leader and energy spokesperson, Adam Bandt MP, today announced that the Greens will introduce a bill into both the Senate and the House of Representatives to establish a parliamentary commission of inquiry into the excessive profiteering and the failure of deregulation and privatisation of the retail electricity sector. 

Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young is dedicating defamation action against David Leyonhjelm to all women who have experienced bullying, harassment and sexist abuse in the workplace.

“I’ve received a flood of messages from women around the country who have experienced sexual harassment, bullying and sexist abuse in their workplaces since speaking out against David Leyonhjelm’s sexist and harmful comments," Senator Hanson-Young said.

Greens animal welfare spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon has called on the federal Minister for Agriculture to refuse permission for the export of up to 60,000 sheep by owners of Emanuel Exports that has had one of its export licenses suspended over investigations into systemic animal cruelty.

“Media reports that an owner of Emanuel Exports is applying to use the license of its sister company EMS Rural Exports to ship up to 60,000 sheep straight into the most dangerous of the northern hemisphere summer months are alarming,” Senator Rhiannon said.

The Greens are backing Gun Control Australia’s call for strong new family law firearm safety checks to better protect women and children from gun violence.

Greens gun control spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said, “The shooting of two teenagers in Sydney last week demonstrates the urgent need to strengthen licensing requirements for shooters involved in family law disputes.

Abbott channelling Trump to sabotage NEG: Bandt

Greens Acting Leader and climate change and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today slammed Tony Abbott for calling on the government to abandon the Paris Agreement. Bandt said that Abbott’s comments coincide with a push from the coal-hugging National party to establish a $5 billion coal fund, both of which are designed to sabotage the NEG. Bandt is demanding that Josh Frydenberg provide all details of the government’s energy package before the upcoming COAG meeting in August.

Plans to face scan people who are accessing the social safety net shows yet another punitive barrier for people needing support. 

“This is the Government once again making life harder for people accessing the social safety net”, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today. 

“This adds another layer to accessing the social safety net and is unnecessary. It will be seen by many accessing support as punitive and adding to the regulatory burden.

Sen. David Leyonhjelm's vile, sexist slurs about Australian Greens Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young have no place in a decent society and I call on both Prime Minister Turnbull and Bill Shorten to immediately condemn him for them, Leader of the Australian Greens Dr Richard Di Natale said.