Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt & Economic Justice Spokesperson Nick McKim have today slammed a deal between the Labor and Liberal parties to ram through tens of billions of dollars in tax cuts and corporate welfare.

Liberal & Labor also opposed Greens amendments that would have excluded millionaires from the tax cuts, and ensured goods purchased with company tax credits were made in Australia.

“Liberal and Labor have put the millionaires ahead of the million unemployed,” said Mr Bandt.

Due for Senate debate this week, the Government's Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill has now been delayed until at least November. This allows more time for stakeholder and community input, as well as constructive cross-party negotiations on amendments to improve a once-in-a-generation opportunity for legislative reform that builds a circular economy and protects our oceans. 
 

Senator Peter Whish-Wilson calls on the upcoming Meeting of Environment Ministers to review lethal shark mitigation measures as a priority agenda item. This comes at the end of a whale migration season that saw an unprecedented number of whales caught in shark nets and as a coalition of NGOs announces a full costing for Queensland to transition from lethal to non-lethal measures.
 

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that Labor’s Budget in Reply commitment to increase child care subsidies and move towards a 90 per cent universal subsidy would be an improvement on the current system, but the party should go all the way and make early childhood education fee-free.

Senator Faruqi said:

Senator FARUQI (New South Wales) (14:37): My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs.

Government senators interjecting—

The PRESIDENT: Order on my right! I'm going to ask Senator Faruqi to start that again. I've asked for silence during questions.

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that the Liberal National Government has condemned Australian higher education to a bleak future that will be difficult to salvage.

The costs of university education have been shifted substantially onto students and away from the Commonwealth, with dire consequences for student debt and public funding of university for years to come.

Senator Faruqi said:

Senator FARUQI (New South Wales) (12:55): Mr President, I request that the amendments on sheets RV130 and RV133 be put separately.

The PRESIDENT: So you're voting separately on those amendments?

Senator FARUQI: Yes.

The PRESIDENT: Would you like amendments (1) to (4) on sheet RV133 put separately or do you want (1) and (4) put separately?

I move:

Omit subparagraph (b)(ii) and add, at the end of the amendment:

(c) Economic Recovery Package (JobMaker Hiring Credit) Amendment Bill 2020, the provisions of the bill be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 6 November 2020.

Question agreed to.

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