The Australian Greens have today launched a bold plan to save South Australia's ailing car industry by redirecting funds from the Automotive Transformation Scheme to components manufacturers looking to tap into the global market for electric vehicles.

Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Penny Wright said the Greens plan would offer South Australian workers a future in global markets.

"Adelaide has a very skilled workforce when it comes to making cars and components," she said.

At Parliament House this morning Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne stood with students studying for clean energy jobs, urging the other parties not to help Tony Abbott degrade the Renewable Energy Target.

"The Renewable Energy Target must not be tampered with. The only compromise should be getting the Abbott government to move with the times and start shutting down fossil fuels," said Senator Milne.

Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson criticised the Abbott Government for taking the razor to jobs in Tasmania's vital science and research sector on the same day that Greens Education and Skills Minister Nick McKim announced $16M in funding to help train the Tasmanian scientists of the future.

"Now that the election is over we can see what the Abbott 'jobs plan' really means for Tasmania - sending the state backwards and derailing our transition to a diversified and resilient economy," said Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam was in Collie today talking with locals about the Greens' plans for Collie as a renewable energy generation hub.

Senator Ludlam, who earlier this year released Energy 2029 - a costed, technical plan for how WA's main electricity grid could switch to 100% renewable energy generation - said Collie should be one of five regional Renewable Energy Zones as it had key attributes that made it the right place to generate renewable energy.

The Greens today launched a plan to address the affordable housing crisis by creating a new local prefabricated housing industry in WA's South West.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said the manufacture and installation of prefabricated housing made with local sustainable plantation timber will be a boost for local jobs, while delivering much-needed housing.

Senator Ludlam made the announcement today in Bunbury, home to WA's largest pine sawmill at Dardanup.

Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications
Legislation Committee
Answers to questions on notice
Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities portfolio
Budget Estimates, May 2012
Program: Division or Agency: 2.2: SPAD Question
No:
053
Topic: Suburban Jobs Program -
consultation process
Proof Hansard Page and Date
or Written Question:
97
(22/5/12)

Senator Ludlam asked: