The Abbott government failed in their attempt to defeat a Senate motion to save the steel industry.

The motion was passed with the combined support of the Greens, Labor and crossbenchers.

"The save the steel industry motion, passed 34 to 28 votes, calls on the government to immediately refer matters related to dumped sub-cost steel to the Anti-Dumping Commission and to consider the use of World Trade Organisation emergency safeguards," Senator Rhiannon said.

The Greens have expressed dismay that their Senate motion in support of Newcastle City Council's Environmentally and Socially Responsible Investment policy was voted down today by the Coalition and Labor.

Greens Senator for NSW Lee Rhiannon said: "It's a shame that federal Labor have failed to back their colleagues on Newcastle City Council in their moves to update the Council's Environmentally and Socially Responsible Investment policy.

The Abbott government will be asked to activate World Trade Organisation emergency powers to save the Port Kembla steel industry if a motion before the Australian Senate is passed.

The motion, to be debated on Thursday 10 September, has been moved by Greens NSW Senator Lee Rhiannon and Victorian independent Senator John Madigan. Full wording of the motion is below.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (21:06): How wonderful was the news that Rosie Batty was to be the Australian of the Year. It was a most important decision. The Baird Liberal government in New South Wales, however, is not doing enough to protect the women and children fleeing from domestic violence. When you look at what is happening in my home state you really wonder if they have listened to the Australian of the Year.

Greens Leader Richard Di Natale visited a local medical centre with rooftop solar today, on the campaign trail with Greens candidate for Canning Dr Vanessa Rauland.

"People here have a choice: you can stick with the past and vote for Tony Abbott, or you can choose a clean, renewable, jobs-rich, pollution-free future. That's what the Greens are putting forward to the people of Canning," said Senator Di Natale.

Commenting on Fairfax's announcement that it is moving to significantly downsize its regional news operations in the Hunter, Greens NSW Senator Lee Rhiannon said:

"This decision by Fairfax is another blow to regional news reporting which is already under funded and under resourced.

"My thoughts are with all the staff and their families in the Hunter who were briefed about the threatened job cuts today.

"I fully support industrial action taken by Fairfax staff to protest against job losses and stand in solidarity with staff who have taken strike action today.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has found that the arrest and detention of Greenpeace’s Arctic Sunrise crew, including Tasmanian Colin Russell, for attempting to scale a drilling platform in the Arctic, was illegal.

Nick McKim has been sworn in this morning as the Australian Greens' new Senator for Tasmania, replacing former leader Christine Milne.

"I'm honoured and excited to have been sworn in today as the Greens' new Senator for Tasmania," said Senator McKim.

"I become a Senator at a tough time for our country, with a dysfunctional government that is governing for itself and not for the Australian people, but a really exciting time for the Greens.