The Australian Greens have pledged a $100 million boost for tourism marketing as the old parties threaten to destroy our tourism jewels and the half a million jobs that rely on them.

"Our natural attractions are Australia's biggest tourism drawcards," Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne said.

"They define us in the international mind. Every year thousands of people visit places like the Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu and Uluru and come to see unique animals like the koala, leadbeater's possum and Tasmanian devil.

Australia's natural environment is the tourism industry's most important asset. The Greens are committed to protecting the environment and caring for the people who work in tourism by ensuring a strong sustainable tourism industry. The mining boom threatens some of our most spectacular places such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Tarkine as well as contributing to driving up the Australian dollar, which has hurt tourism businesses.

> ENSURING THE GROWTH OF TOURISM

Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, Australian Greens spokesperson for both tourism and recycling, returned from this week's 2013 Tasmanian Tourism Conference on "sustainable tourism" shocked to find the event was sponsored by Coca-Cola, a giant multinational which uses corporate lobbying power and deep pockets to block and dismantle popular "refund" or "deposit" recycling schemes, all around the world.

Christine Milne joined a panel on ABC Saturday Extra to outline the Greens' vision for Tasmania's clean green and clever economic future.

Tasmania has so many advantages that the Greens have worked hard to develop, from the innovation economy with scientific research hubs and the NBN, through tourism and ecosystem services with wilderness protection, creativity and the arts, growing healthy food & much more.

Australian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said today that Environment Minister Mark Butler's decision on the proposed Venture Minerals open-cut mine in the Tarkine is a political ploy in a marginal electorate on the first day of a Federal election.

"Minister Butler was always going to make the decision he made today for the same political reasons Tony Burke shocked the country by ignoring the Australian Heritage Councils recommendations to protect the Tarkine earlier this year," said Senator Whish-Wilson.

Australian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said today that Environment Minister Mark Butler should be spending time in Tasmania talking to experts on the endangered species under threat by Tarkine mine proposals.

"The failure of Minister Butler's predecessor to fully consider official conservation advice on endangered species was the basis of the court decision against Shree's proposed mine at Nelson Bay River," said Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.

Australian Greens spokesperson for Tourism Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said yesterday’s Federal Court decision on the proposed Nelson Bay River mine was a win for the long-term prospects of the tourism industry in the northwest.

Senator Whish-Wilson is today participating in the Northwest Tourism Forum in Stanley where the attendees heard from a wide range of speakers including legendary naturalist Terri Irwin.

There is concern across the Tasmanian wine industry that Tasmanian Forestry Agreement (TFA) funding will be used to push for investment in new  "supply driven" growth - in the form of significant new vineyard plantings - leading to the quadrupling of the industry over the next 10 years.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam is proud to stand with Traditional Owners to protect the world's largest pre-Ice Age rock art precinct in the Pilbara, 1550 km north of Perth.

"The Burrup Peninsula is a place of unparalleled artistic, cultural, religious and historical significance, as well as a place of magnificent natural beauty," said Senator Ludlam.

"The Greens have long campaigned for its protection, mostly recently through the Too Precious To Lose campaign.

Colin Barnett's bitter obsession with James Price Point must end, the WA Greens said today.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said the State Government's plan to acquire the land despite huge local opposition to its industrialisation and Woodside's withdrawal was "vindictive and reckless".

"Premier Barnett, please - it's over. This is a pristine part of the Kimberley's coast; it was never appropriate for industrialisation and it never will be. The Premier is now standing in the way of progress. It's time to move on," said Senator Ludlam.