Read Christine Milne's essay, Things are crook in Tallarook: Why the future depends on restoring democracy online here, or download a pdf version here.

Take Action on Restoring Democracy

There are lots of ways you can get involved with the issues the Greens MPs are working on.

Today marks a year since the Abbott government shattered investor confidence by launching its unnecessary and ideological review of the Renewable Energy Target, and Greens Leader Christine Milne says its time for the uncertainty to end.

"The Liberals need end their attack on the Renewable Energy Target and stop destroying jobs to protect their mates at the big end of town," said Senator Milne.

The Greens-initiated Senate Inquiry into electricity prices held a public hearing in Brisbane today, gathering information to end systematic rorting of taxpayers and consumers by the electricity networks.

"Our Senate Inquiry is getting to the bottom of why Queenslanders have such astronomical electricity network charges - the highest in Australia," said Senator Christine Milne, leader of the Australian Greens, in Brisbane for the hearing today.

Senator Ricky Muir has this afternoon said in the Senate he will support exemptions for heavy industry and the inclusion of electricity generation from burning native forests within the Renewable Energy Target.

"Exemptions for heavy industry and inclusion of energy generated from burning native forests in the Renewable Energy Target would be a disaster. It would do even more to destroy confidence in Australian clean energy," Greens Leader Christine Milne said.

The Australian Greens say massive cuts to research and development, passed through the Senate today by the Liberals, Nationals, Palmer United Party and Independent Nick Xenophon, is another act of intergenerational theft.

"Cutting support for research and development is a short-sighted way to balance the Budget and will help drive the country's investment in research to a 30-year low," said Greens science, research and innovation spokesperson Adam Bandt MP.