I would like to congratulate my dear friend and colleague Senator Rachel Siewert for winning the prestigious Missen Award for integrity in politics.

Rachel has been an outstanding advocate and member of parliament, who has dedicated her time as a Senator to assisting the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community.

It is pretty well known in Parliament House across party lines that Rachel is one of the hardest working Senators in this place.

As a senate committee chair she has a reputation for getting consensus on committee reports that lead to real outcomes.

It’s time for NSW councils to make history and join with the growing movement in local government that are committed to #ChangeTheDate of Australia Day.

Yarra Council unanimously voted this week on an extensive motion to no longer refer to January 26 as Australia Day, stop holding citizenship ceremonies on this date and officially support the #ChangeTheDate campaign.          

Yarra is not alone with Fremantle and Hobart councils passing similar motions, and the Australian Local Government Association passing a resolution at its National General Assembly in June to:

The Senate today passed a Greens motion to delay setting a commencement date for the NSW Biodiversity Offsets Scheme.

“The Total Environment Centre has raised several concerns about this scheme and we’ve been working closely with them to ensure standards are met,” said Senator Lee Rhiannon.

“The Liberal-National government has been attempting to trash biodiversity laws in NSW for years.

 “The Environmental Defender's Office NSW has argued that the new NSW scheme does not meet federal standards.

Australian Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon has just returned from Palestine-Israel and is available for interviews.

She was in the region for nine days and was in Jerusalem when the incidents at the Al Aqsa Mosque occurred.

At mass protests against the Israeli operations at the Mosque three young Palestinians were killed by the Israeli military. An increasing number of Middle Eastern countries are calling on the Israeli government to end their increased military presence in Jerusalem.

I’m gutted by Larissa’s announcement, coming just days after Scott’s. Larissa has been an outstanding Senator and Deputy Leader. Her departure is deeply saddening.

This is unprecedented and deeply disappointing – personally for Larissa, for her family and for the Greens federally and in Queensland.

The Parliament and the nation are worse off as a result of the resignation of two leaders of such integrity and ability as Larissa and Scott.

It is with great shock and sadness that I have discovered that I hold dual citizenship of Australia and Canada. As people would know after the recent departure of my dear friend and former colleague Scott Ludlam, section 44 of the Australian constitution means I cannot hold office in the federal Parliament.

I want to share a message with you following Scott's announcement that he will be resigning from the Parliament. It's been devastating for our parliamentary team to learn this news, and I’m sure you are all feeling exactly the same way.

Scott is an outstanding member of the Parliament and of the Greens. He has been a strong representative for the people of WA and the nation.

Senator Scott Ludlam resignation

Recently it was brought to my attention that I hold dual citizenship of Australia and New Zealand. Under Section 44 of the Australian constitution I am therefore ineligible to hold elected office in the Federal Parliament.

“I am disappointed that a Party Room resolution has been leaked to the media instead of respecting the National Council process and letting it confidentially run its course.

“There are still things to work through confidentially with National Council and my NSW colleagues and I are fully committed to that process, but I do now need to respond to today’s article.

“I am delighted that Richard has backed down, reversed the suspension and confirmed that I will once again be fully participating in every decision of the Greens Party Room.

Please find all our materials downloadable here: https://sites.google.com/view/senatorleerhiannonmaterials/home

If you would like some printed and mailed to you, please email senator.rhiannon@aph.gov.au