"There is no crisis but there is an opportunity," Greens Leader Christine Milne said.

"At the moment the government can incur debt and hide it in incomprehensible budget papers so that no one knows how it is being spent.

"We have an opportunity to rule out having this phoney West Wing debate. We have an opportunity to make sure the public knows whether we are incurring good debt or bad debt and what the implications are.

The Australian Greens Leader, Senator Christine Milne, introduces the Greens' bill for a national anti-corruption Commission to the senate and explains how this agency would work.

The Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Christine Milne, responds to the Abbott Government's vision for Australia, describing is as small, selfish, inward looking, isolationist and back to the future.

Australians Greens Leader Christine Milne has congratulated her colleague Senator Scott Ludlam with the news the recount will see him returned as a Greens Senator and as a tremendous representative for Western Australia.

"This is a terrific day for Scott Ludlam and the Greens," Senator Milne said.

"I want to thank all the scrutineers, Greens members and supporters around the country who have been so supportive of Scott and put in a fantastic effort.

"It's clear the recount was justified. But the saga is not over yet.

The Australian Greens have today extended their heartfelt gratitude for the tireless work of Australia's emergency services personnel who are continuing to risk their lives in extremely difficult circumstances to protect people and property.

"I am deeply saddened to hear of the tragic accident which has claimed the life of a pilot as he was fighting fires," Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne said.

"All of our thoughts go to the family and friends of the pilot who was so tragically killed while working to protect others."

Responding to reports that Tony Abbott may have the support of minor parties to repeal the price on pollution and mining tax, Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne said:

"When it comes to the new Senate, Tony Abbott shouldn't count his chickens before they hatch.

"It's not going to be easy as he thinks. With the Senate not even finalised, he's going to be dealing with an unsteady, unstable and unreliable mix.

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.

The Greens want the government to do more to secure the release of Australian Colin Russell and other activists being held in Russia on preposterous charges of piracy after their protest voyage against oil drilling in the Arctic was ended abruptly by armed Russian officials.

"Tony Abbott and Julie Bishop have said absolutely nothing about the fact that an Australian citizen is being held on ridiculous charges of piracy. This is wrong," Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne said.

Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne has expressed great sadness at the loss of Janet Frances Powell AM, former leader of the Australian Democrats but more recently a dedicated campaigner, member and candidate for the Australian Greens.

"On behalf of the Australian Greens I pay tribute to Janet's life and achievements. She was a pioneer and role model for women in politics and a tireless campaigner for women's rights and recognition," Senator Milne said.

Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne says Martin Ferguson's appointment as group executive of natural resources for Seven Group Holdings and as chair to a petroleum industry advisory board makes a mockery of the code of conduct which prevents former Ministers engaging in lobbying activities relating to any matter that they had official dealings in.

"The whole point of the code of conduct is to separate former Ministers from the industries they have been in direct contact with," Senator Milne said.