The Australian Greens have announced a plan to tackle homelessness and long housing waiting times in the Northern Territory during a visit from Leader Senator Christine Milne.

"The Greens have a plan to build more houses and increase funding for homelessness services to help the Territory cut waiting times and get people off the streets," Senator Milne said in Darwin today with Greens Senate candidate Warren H. Williams.

The Australian Greens have launched an innovative plan to unlock billions of dollars in new investment in social housing and to end the chronic shortage of social housing experienced by families across Australia.

Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne said the Greens' Stronger Social Housing System will help 225,000 Australian singles and families currently in temporary accommodation or homeless, as they wait years for public housing.

A new rating tool announced today by the Green Building Council of Australia will help build cleaner, healthier, more liveable cities for all Australians, the Greens said today.

The GBCA's Green Star - Communities rating tool will enable community developments to be assessed against six categories: Liveability; Economic Prosperity; Environment; Design Excellence; Visionary leadership and governance; and Innovation.

Senator Milne asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 1 November 2011:

In regard to the debate on impact of negative gearing on the housing market at the recent Tax Forum:

(1) Did the temporary suspension of negative gearing during the Keating Government lead to an increase in rents across the country.

90 No. 60-1 November 2011

(2) What proportion of negatively geared properties are newly constructed rather than existing properties.

In this, the Australian Year of the Farmer, the Australian Greens encourage all Australians to support our farmers by putting Australian food and beverages on the table as families and communities join together to enjoy Australia Day, Acting Australian Greens Leader, Senator Christine Milne said today.

"The "Eat Australian on Australia Day" campaign is a great initiative supporting our primary producers and showcasing the best of the food, wines, beers and soft drinks grown and processed in Australia. I urge all Australians to get behind it.

MEET THE PRESS

6 NOVEMBER 2011

INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTINE MILNE AND IAN HANKE.

DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE CARBON TAX BILLS, THE MINING TAX, COAL SEAM GAS, THE CHOICES OF ALAN JOYCE, THE FAIR WORK ACT, THE COALITION AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, AND UNFAIR DISMISSALS.

The Government and Opposition have combined to vote down a Senate Inquiry into vehicle fuel efficiency standards moved by the Australian Greens today.

"The Labor and Liberal lowest common denominator approach on fuel efficiency standards should be very worrying to Australians concerned about petrol prices," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

The Australian Greens today welcomed the government's first steps in the broad community consultation on vehicle fuel efficiency standards agreed as part of the Clean Energy Future package.

Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said "As climate change and peak oil begin to bite, it's vitally important for governments to help the community both use their cars less and drive the most efficient cars possible.

Christine Milne revs up the crowd at the "Don't be taken for a ride" bike ride today, arranged in response to the convoy of no confidence.