In light of the AMA's latest public hospital report card, the Greens are calling on the Turnbull Government to undo Tony Abbott's damage to our healthcare system, and not by lifting the GST.

"Tony Abbott's first budget ripped $50 billion dollars from hospitals over a decade and restarted the blame game between the federal and state governments. It was a ruse to pressure the states into supporting a higher GST," said Greens Leader Dr Richard Di Natale.

Greens spokesperson for Trade, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson welcomes Australia’s victory in the Investor-State Dispute-Settlement (ISDS) case against Phillip Morris over plain packaging laws.

The Greens say the Turnbull Government has failed to deliver legal access to medicinal cannabis to Australians who've been expecting it by the end of this year.

"Patients need access to this medication, and they shouldn't have to break the law to get it," said Greens Leader Dr Richard Di Natale.

"The test of any medicinal cannabis legislation is whether it allows patients with medically approved conditions to legally and affordably access medicinal cannabis products through their doctor.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (17:00): Urban motorways reveal some of the worst aspects of how major parties do politics and the worst aspects of their own transport policies. In Sydney we have this madness of a WestConnex urban motorway project. A 33-kilometre, dirty tollway that would divide Sydney, bring greater air pollution, increase congestion, divide suburbs and rip up bike lanes.

Lee discusses the benefits of the Nuka System in fixing a fragmented and beaurocratic healthcare system. This program and other super utiliser programs integrate medical, dental, behavioural and other types of support services to reduce unnecessary hospital care, increase social benefits, and provide truly universal healthcare.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (21:53):

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (22:06):

Australian Greens Leader Richard Di Natale says a review of private health insurance is sorely needed, but the best deal for Australians is a strong public health system.

"Health reform needs to start with properly resourcing our universal healthcare system rather than doing the bidding of the private health insurance industry," Dr Di Natale said.

"Australia risks moving toward a two-tiered, American-style system, where those who can't afford private insurance get second rate healthcare.

The Australian Greens have congratulated doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals for taking a strong stand against children in detention today.

"I left medicine to go into politics for the exact same reason that these health workers are making a stand today: we've got to fix the factors that make people sick. By locking up innocent people, denying them decent medical care and stripping them of all hope we are actively creating harm," said Greens Leader Dr Richard Di Natale.

Australian Greens Leader, Dr Richard Di Natale today welcomed the government’s announcement on medicinal cannabis but warned that it doesn’t deal with the biggest barriers that will prevent patients from accessing it.

“I welcome that both the Government and Opposition have finally acknowledged that medicinal cannabis reform is needed, however today’s announcement only delivers a small part of changes required,” said Senator Di Natale.