The Australian Greens have expressed concern at the revelation SPC Ardmona plans to slash the amount of locally sourced fruit for this season.

 Greens competition spokesperson Senator Peter Whish-Wilson stated, “These events add to the anxiety amongst farmers that our current trade and competition policy is failing them.

 “It’s clear many of our fruit growers are facing a crisis and need assistance. It’s heart breaking to hear some have resorted to pulling out their orchards.

 The Australian Greens have committed to continue scrutinising the government’s handling of contracts surrounding the construction of ASIO’s new headquarters, following news another unpaid contractor has entered voluntary administration.

 The Party’s small business spokesperson Senator Peter Whish-Wilson stated he will actively pursue the issue through Senate Estimates in a few weeks and if answers aren’t forthcoming will move for a Senate Inquiry.

The Australian Greens have challenged Liberal Party small business spokesperson Bruce Billson MP to commit to real action on addressing concerns around competition policy instead of instigating yet another review.

Greens small business spokesperson Senator Peter Whish-Wilson stated there had been myriad reviews into the issue, especially around the grocery and supermarket sector.

“Previous reviews have already put forward recommendations for reform, such as providing for the ACCC to have divestment powers.

The Australian Greens along with Senator Xenophon have issued a dissenting report into whether to legislate the role of the new Commonwealth Small Business Commissioner following a Senate inquiry into the Greens Small Business Commissioner Bill 2013.

Australian Greens spokesperson for small business, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson stated small business is an important part of the Australian economy making a substantial contribution through employing almost 5 million people.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam will join academics and students Thursday morning in a united stand against the Federal Government's proposed funding cuts.

"This is a perverse kind of blackmail in which the Government claims we can't provide more funding to the nation's schools without targetting the nation's universities - we won't tolerate it," said Senator Ludlam.

Greens Deputy Leader and science and research spokesperson, Adam Bandt MP, says the government must boost CSIRO funding in the upcoming Budget to stave off possible job cuts.

The CSIRO Board have announced a cut of 5% to jobs and operating costs.

"The CSIRO Board is ringing the alarm bell and the government must listen. A loss of up to 200 jobs will be a blow to Australia's research community," Mr Bandt said.

"Research and innovation is crucial to our economic prosperity and CSIRO is the cornerstone of our national research effort."

Responding to announcements that 500 jobs will be slashed from Holden's operations in Melbourne and South Australia, Greens Deputy Leader and industry spokesperson, Adam Bandt, has criticised the Federal government for failing to secure jobs and plan for an electric car future.

"Labor has handed over cash to Holden without getting any guarantees of job security for workers and their families," said Mr Bandt.

"Holden has received $2.2 billion in federal government subsidies over 12 years, yet they continue to slash jobs.

The Australian Greens have welcomed the release of the Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research in Australia, chaired by Simon McKeon.

“Health and medical research are key to the health of Australians and to our future prosperity,” said Senator Richard Di Natale, Greens health spokesperson.

“The recommendations in the McKeon Review all deserve serious consideration. Some reforms require urgent attention, like streamlining clinical trials, which is already a serious barrier to research today.”