Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne has welcomed the Prime Minister's comments this morning about navigating the new Senate with respect, but says he will face a steep learning curve if that respect extends only to conservative Senators.

Mr Abbott stated that the Greens have lost the balance of power and that this was a ‘great political achievement for the Coalition'.

"I wonder what the rest of Australia thinks about Prime Minister Abbott taking credit for the bizarre make-up of the new Senate," Senator Milne said.

Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne has used her speech at the Australian Greens campaign launch to warn of the risk of Tony Abbott taking control of both houses of parliament.

"Australian voters do not want any party to have absolute power in the parliament," Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne said.

"The last time this happened John Howard introduced Work Choices.

"We have a vision for our nation and the courage to stand up for issues that matter - something the old parties lack.

Supporters joined Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne, Deputy Leader Adam Bandt, Lead Senate Candidate Janet Rice and other candidates at Melbourne's Victorian Arts Centre to launch the Victorian Greens election campaign today.

Senator Milne outlined how the Greens were on track to secure a second Victorian Senate spot and retain Adam Bandt's seat of Melbourne.

The Greens also unveiled their first TV election advertisement ‘Standing up for What Matters'. It can be viewed here.

The Australian Greens have unveiled plans for fixed terms with the first Saturday in Spring to become the permanent election date every 3 years.

Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne said: "The Greens plan for fixed terms, with a set election date every 3 years, would end the uncertainty over election timing for good and prevent the blatant partisan abuse and manipulation of election timing.

The Australian Greens have welcomed the Prime Minister's decision to announce the federal election date.

"I am delighted the Prime Minister has ended the uncertainty by telling Australians when they will be heading to the ballot box," Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne said.

"While Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott continue to fight each other in a race to the bottom on important issues like climate change and asylum seekers, the Greens are standing up for what matters.

The Australian Greens welcome today's announcements progressing the Royal Commission into institutional child sexual abuse.

Australian Greens Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said "I reiterate my hope that this can bring some peace to shattered lives, help bring perpetrators to justice, lift the shadow off all those good people in the church striving to do good for others, and make sure churches and other organisation can never again cover-up child abuse or allow victims to be ignored.

Acting Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, outlined the Greens' plans for the New Year today as he marked the eve of cuts to single parents' payments.

"The old parties' New Year's resolutions will ring hollow unless they are willing to face up to Australia's looming revenue challenge," said Mr Bandt.

"In 2013, the Greens want government to do its job of looking after people and the environment, and that means standing up to big business and the wealthy.

Labor and the Coalition today voted down a Greens motion calling on the Government to reveal progress towards long-promised legislation to protect whistleblowers.

The Greens understand that draft legislation, promised since the 2007 election, has been criticised as so weak as to be ineffective and believe that it is in the public interest that the draft and commentary be made publicly available.

Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee

Estimates hearings, 13 February 2012

Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet