Media Releases

Australian Greens, Labor commit to agreement for stable Government

Media Release | Spokesperson Bob Brown, Christine Milne, Rachel Siewert, Sarah Hanson-Young, Scott Ludlam
Wednesday 1st September 2010, 10:53am
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The Australian Greens and the Labor Party have signed an agreement to ensure stability for Labor in Government. The Greens will ensure supply and oppose any motion of no confidence in the Government from other parties or MPs.

Labor will work with the Greens to deliver improved transparency and integrity to Parliament and pursue policies that promote the national interest and address climate change.

As part of the agreement there will be regular meetings between the Prime Minister and Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown and newly-elected Lower House MP Adam Bandt.

"There will be a Climate Change Committee resourced as a Cabinet Committee, an investment in dental health care in the next budget and completion of a $20 million study into High Speed Rail by July 2011," said Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown.

Fresh potato imports must be banned

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Friday 27th August 2010, 1:01pm
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Tasmania cannot take any risks with its potato and tomato industries and must become seriously engaged to prevent New Zealand potatoes being brought to Tasmania for processing, Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Christine Milne said today.

"I have contacted the Rural and Regional Committee of the Senate and had this issue put on the agenda to deal with as soon as the parliament resumes post election.

"The evidence to date demonstrates there are no circumstances which can protect Tasmania other than a complete ban on the import of fresh potatoes from New Zealand.

ACT's 40% emissions target shows potential of Greens in power-sharing govts

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Thursday 26th August 2010, 12:56pm
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The Australian Greens today welcomed the announcement by the ACT government that it will legislate to reduce emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2020 - one of the most ambitious emissions targets of any jurisdiction in the world.

This target is the result of the highly successful parliamentary agreement between the Greens and the minority Labor government and bodes well for serious action on climate change and renewable energy in the new Commonwealth parliament.

"The ACT's 40% target, with tremendous support for energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean transport, points the way for the rest of Australia to follow," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

"A 40% target has implications that will reverberate around the country and beyond.

Milne says thank-you for record Tasmanian Green vote

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Sunday 22nd August 2010, 1:31pm
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In the biggest vote for a third party since the Second World War, The Greens will return to federal parliament with eight and possibly nine senators and the House of Representatives seat of Melbourne, Australian Greens Deputy Leader Christine Milne said today.

"We have achieved balance of power in the Senate and will use that power responsibly for good and progressive outcomes for the people of Australia.

"Regardless of which party forms government, we will work with them using the huge experience we have with balance of power politics.

Renewable energy abandoned by both Labor and Coalition

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Thursday 19th August 2010, 3:12pm
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The Australian Greens are the only party backing the transition to renewable energy, with both Labor and the Coalition cutting $416.5 million out of renewable energy programs during the election.

While the Greens have used the campaign to promote a plan to transform Australia to 100% renewable energy, alongside a suite of policies to make that happen, the Coalition has now lined up behind Labor's promise to cut $220 million from the Solar Flagships Program, $150 million from the renewable Energy Bonus Scheme and $46.5 million from the Renewable Energy Future Fund.

"Despite promising 'record investment in renewable energy', Prime Minister Gillard has used this election campaign to pull funding out of renewable energy at a record rate," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

"Tragically for all those Australians who want to see real climate action, who want jobs in renewable energy or who are investing in renewable energy technologies, Tony Abbott has lined up with the Prime Minister, matching her cuts dollar for dollar.

Greens strongly back transport industry call

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Thursday 19th August 2010, 11:51am
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The Australian Greens strongly back calls from four transport groups today for a comprehensive inquiry into Australia's transport system focussing on congestion, safety, environmental degradation, climate change and energy security.

The Australasian Railways Association, Bus Industry Confederation, Cycling Promotion Fund and International Association of Public Transport call for a Productivity Commission report is in line with Greens policy to establish an advisory committee reporting to Infrastructure Australia to examine exactly these issues.

"The Greens have long been parliament's strongest advocates for re-thinking Australia's attitude to transport," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

"Our Safe Climate Bill, released last year, included a bill to set up an advisory committee reporting to Infrastructure Australia about the social and environmental costs of our current transport system as well as the best way to put it on a safer, more reliable and more sustainable footing.

Gillard and Abbott in race to the bottom of the quarry

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Tuesday 17th August 2010, 4:09pm
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Prime Minister Gillard and Tony Abbott are in a race to the bottom of the quarry, leaving the Australian Greens as the only choice for voters concerned about climate change.

The Prime Minister campaigned at a coal mine today while Mr Abbott, at he National Press Club, ruled out introducing a price on carbon.

"It is increasingly clear that neither Julia Gillard nor Tony Abbott can see the renewable energy future for the coal dust in their eyes," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

Green Loans assessors left high and dry by both Labor and Libs

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Tuesday 17th August 2010, 11:07am
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Green Loans Assessors, who should be the backbone of a whole new energy efficiency industry, have been left high and dry by both Labor and the Liberals in the election campaign.

The Greens recognise that energy efficiency is the fastest and cheapest way to reduce greenhouse emissions, reduce energy bills and improve the liveability of our homes, offices, schools and hospitals and strongly support the expansion of the sustainability assessment industry.

"The Greens are inspired by the thousands of Australians who have chosen to build small businesses to help others reduce their energy bills and their impact on the climate," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

"But both Labor and the Liberals have left this incredibly prospective industry high and dry.

Academy of Sciences climate report exposes farce of 5% target while Gillard fails to mention climate change

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Monday 16th August 2010, 3:38pm
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The Science of Climate Change report released by the Australian Academy of Sciences today shows once again that both Labor and the Coalition must significantly lift their patently inadequate 5% emissions reduction targets.

The report comes as Prime Minister Gillard failed to mention climate change in her campaign launch speech today.

"Delay and denial on the climate crisis is simply unacceptable in the light of ever clearer scientific evidence," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

Denticare: Good Clinical and Financial Sense

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Monday 16th August 2010, 1:21pm
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Basic dental care for all Australians is critical to health and wellbeing and is core to the Greens health policy, Greens Deputy Leader, Christine Milne said today.

"It seems that the Greens are the only ones who think that teeth are a part of the body and should be covered by a Medicare type scheme. No doubt Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott can afford to have their teeth looked after but what about the thousands who cannot?

"Tasmanians are part of the 30% of Australians who are turned away from dental care because they cannot afford it: Part of the many who suffer poor health and a loss of confidence because of bad teeth.