China's new coal import rules make it clear Australia is becoming a rust-bucket economy under the Abbott government, said Greens Leader Christine Milne.

"There's China moving to cut pollution while in Australia we have a policy vacuum and a Prime Minister who wants our economy to be reliant on exporting coal pollution to the world," said Senator Milne.

"Tony Abbott is putting his hands over his ears and refusing to hear the loud message that investing in coal, and building coal ports and railways, will lead to stranded assets and is jeopardising our future prosperity.

Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne has today welcomed the Senate's agreement that members must be reappointed to the board of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

"After Clive Palmer excluded ARENA from his announcement, the Greens have worked with other crossbenchers to secure both the funding and the future of the organisation," said Senator Milne.

"I welcome the decision by Mr Muir and Mr Palmer to join the Greens and Labor in opposing the abolition of ARENA," Greens Leader Christine Milne said.

"However, it is extremely disappointing that Mr Palmer and Mr Muir will join Tony Abbott in voting to gut ARENA of $717 million over the next three years. I have serious concerns that ARENA won't be able to fund new innovation projects for renewable energy that we can export to the world.