With Japanese Authorities declaring the worsening situation at Fukushima an "emergency", Labor candidate for Perth Alannah MacTiernan has made a baffling pitch for nuclear power to stay in contention for Australia's energy mix.

"The nuclear industry is falling apart worldwide in the wake of Fukushima, the global financial crisis, uncontrollable costs, and overwhelming competition from renewable energy," Greens Senator Scott Ludlam said today. Senator Ludlam will debate Ms MacTiernan tonight in Perth.

Today Senator Peter Whish-Wilson responded to Tony Abbott's promises on jobs by calling on him to come clean on what the Coalition plans really mean for Tasmania.

"He's apparently here to talk about jobs but what he is covering up is a Coalition jobs and wealth destruction plan.

"How many Tasmanian public servants will lose their jobs under an Abbott government?

"If he scraps the Clean Energy Package, how will he replace the $70m per annum boost from Hydro Tasmania used to help pay for healthcare, education and policing in this state?

The Australian Greens have announced a plan to ease the pressure on small business by expanding tax breaks and strengthening the role of the national Small Business Commissioner.

These new initiatives follow yesterday's announcement that the Greens would lower the company tax rate from 30% to 28% for companies with turnovers of less than $2 million dollars.

Small businesses play a vital role in the economy, providing jobs to almost half the workforce and they are part of the community in a way big business can never be. The Greens know the burden and risk that many people take on when they establish a business.

The old parties take the small business sector for granted, while their policies invariably promote the interests of big business and their lobbyists.

The Australian Greens understand the pressure that small businesses are feeling. We also recognise that a healthy small business sector means a strong Australian economy. They play a vital role in the economy, providing jobs to almost half the workforce. Small businesses are also part of the community in a way big business can never be.

The old parties take the small business sector for granted, while their policies invariably promote the interests of big business and their lobbyists.

Australian Greens spokesperson for competition and small business, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, announced the Greens' plan to tackle big supermarket dominance ahead of today's public symposium on Supermarket Power in Australia sponsored by Monash University and the Melbourne University Law School.

"Our plan tackles the supermarket duopoly nationally, ensures fair competition for farmers and small business, and reforms competition policy so it serves the interests of the Tasmanian community, not just big business," Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said.

The Australian Greens have welcomed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) concerns about the Big Two supermarkets’ moves to cut out competition in the fuel market.

 “The real cost of the supermarkets big reward schemes will hit independent retailers, creating a fuel duopoly which will hurt South Australian consumers in the long-run,” Australian Greens Consumer Affairs spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young said.

Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne today announced an $85 million plan to help farmers bypass the big two supermarkets and sell direct to consumers.

"People care about where their food comes from and that local farmers get paid a reasonable price for it," Senator Milne said.

"Farmers don't have many options for selling their produce outside the low prices offered by the big supermarket chains.

The Greens' $85 million plan to help farmers bypass the Big Two supermarkets and sell directly to consumers will make it easier to get healthy food, help our farmers get a fair price, and create local jobs.

Read our plan to bring farmers and consumers together.

Australian Greens Small Business spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, said that Prime Minister Rudd should be focused on the serious matter of small businesses yet to be paid for their work on the ASIO building rather than putting on a pre-election show.

"Today Prime Minister Rudd put on a show for the cameras at the new ASIO building while the $704 million federal government building project has resulted in an estimated 100 small businesses not being paid for their hard work," said Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.