Local Greens MPs for Melbourne, Adam Bandt and Ellen Sandell, have welcomed the government’s decision to expand the number of supervised injecting trial sites, including in Melbourne, saying the Greens had repeatedly pushed the government to relieve the pressure on Richmond residents by expanding trial locations.

The Greens were the first political party to advocate for the supervised injecting facility trial.

Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has re-iterated the Greens call for the Australian Government to push for a global ban on the trade of wildlife, after the Agriculture Minister’s comments today on wildlife wet markets.

Senator Hanson-Young said:

“The Agriculture Minister and the PM can wax lyrical about an investigation into wildlife wet markets all they like, but if wildlife continue to be traded for consumption and other purposes, a health risk will remain. 

The NSW Greens have successfully amended emergency government legislation in NSW parliament to extend workers compensation benefits to cover COVID-19. 

The amendment to the legislation passed the Upper House today, and grants cover for full time, part time, contract and casual workers under workers compensation in the following circumstances. 

The Australian Greens have called on the government to establish publicly funded vaccine manufacturing capacity in Australia to ensure any COVID19 vaccine is available to all Australians.

A recent Defence science technology report outlined in today’s media has warned of a shortage in vaccines in Australia during a pandemic because of the lack of production capacity in Australia.

The Australian Greens have condemned US President Donald Trump’s announcement this week that the United States will withdraw critical funding from the World Health Organisation (WHO), and cautions the Australian government from signalling any similar action.

As the international body responsible for coordinating the world’s response to pandemics like the current COVID-19 crisis, it is critical that governments maintain their financial commitments to the organisation. 

Australian Greens Disability spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John has labelled Health Minister Greg Hunt's announcement of the establishment of a National Advisory Group to guide development and implementation of a response plan focusing on the unique health needs of disabled people a "huge win" for the community.

The Australian Greens have called for a pause on health insurance premiums during the COVID-19 crisis, and for the government to redirect the private health insurance rebate into the public system to assist in delivering critical care.
 
“Australians should not be paying premiums for a product that can’t be used for its primary purpose, especially when millions of households are facing challenging financial circumstances,” Dr Richard Di Natale, Greens health spokesperson said today.
 

Tuesday 31st March, 2020

Australian Greens Disability spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said the Government's failure to extend the $550 COVID-19 supplement to people receiving the Disability Support Pension (DSP) and Carer Payment in Yesterday's $130 billion stimulus package was an indictment on their attitude to disabled people and carers.

"It's clear that this government is still not taking the needs of disabled people and their families seriously enough in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic," Steele-John said.

Australian Greens health spokesperson Dr Richard Di Natale has written to the federal health minister calling for the influenza vaccine to be made available free of charge to all Australians as part of the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
“Ensuring everyone can access the flu vaccine for free is a clear step that will provide multiple benefits to the public and to our health system,” Dr Di Natale said today.
 

The Australian Greens have joined calls for a full New Zealand-style mandatory stay at home lockdown to respond to the growing COVID-19 pandemic, backing health experts calling for a ‘go hard, go fast’ response to enforce social distancing.

Greens leader Adam Bandt and health spokesperson Dr Richard Di Natale have called on the Prime Minister and National Cabinet to adopt a lock down in line with New Zealand’s Stage 4 measures. This would require everyone, except those providing essential services, to stay home, and only make physical contact with those they live with.