Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne says 2015 is the year Australia should recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Constitution, with a referendum that is fully understood and supported by the community.

"I'm calling on Prime Minister Abbott to get his head out of knights and dames and giving honours to Prince Philip, and instead put real effort into the campaign for giving recognition to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Constitution," said Senator Milne.

On behalf of the Australian Greens, Leader Christine Milne is congratulating Rosie Batty on being named the 2015 Australian of the Year.

"I'm so pleased that Rosie has been recognised in this way for her resilience and incredible determination to make Australia a safer place for people to live," said Senator Milne.

"There were no dry eyes here on the front lawns of Parliament House as Rosie dedicated her award to Luke, saying he had not died in vain.

Press conference transcript: Draft management plan for Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and Abbott's attack on Medicare - Hobart 15 January 2015.

Speakers: Senator Christine Milne and Tasmanian MP Nick McKim

Greens Leader Christine Milne says Tony Abbott's frontbench reshuffle won't matter much to everyday Australians who are still being threatened with the same cruel budget measures.

"The faces have changed, but not the policies. This government is too arrogant to accept its cruel agenda has been rejected by the community and the Senate," said Senator Milne.

"If the Prime Minister doesn't listen to people and change his policies, he's going to find that people will change the Prime Minister.

The Australian Greens express profound sadness at the tragic death of the outstanding young cricketer Phillip Hughes.

We send our love and support to his family, friends, teammates and the entire cricket community.

Cricket is a much moved national sport for both players and spectators. It brings us so much joy. But today this tragic event brings us an overwhelming feeling of sadness and a coming together to pay tribute to a wonderful young Australian.

- Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne and sports spokesperson Senator Richard di Natale

Senator Milne's statement

Thanks to the CPSU for organising today's rally, I'm sorry parliamentary sittings mean I can't be there.

ABC production in Tasmania has been a vital training ground and professional opportunity for our film and television industry. That's what we told ABC management when it originally cut the nightly 7.30 Report from Tasmania. But they said, you will now have the new Stateline. Then that was rebadged and now is set for the axe.

We are tired of the lies and deaths by a thousand cuts.

The Australian Greens National Conference has agreed to the following resolution by consensus. 

Proposal:

The National Conference of the Australian Greens affirms its strong support for: 

1. Legislation that ensures parliamentary debates and votes prior to the commitment of Australian forces to military conflict; 

Our Wilderness World Heritage and national parks are what makes Tasmania special as a place to live and to visit. We live in a state which has been recognised as having places so special they are of outstanding universal value to humankind. We should be proud of that and bend over backwards to look after them.

That's why we need genuine agreement on what sustainable eco-tourism is if we are going to protect our parks in the long-term.