News today of researchers confirming a genetically diverse Tasmanian devil population in the state's North West has been welcomed by Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne.

Researchers from the universities of Sydney and Tasmania are hopeful of a natural immunity to devil facial tumour disease being present in the genetic make-up of the North West devils, but Senator Milne has warned there is still a long way to go if we are to save them from extinction.

Greens deputy leader, Senator Christine Milne has welcomed a decision by the Federal Minister for Environment to consider uplisting the Tasmanian devil's status from endangered to critically endangered.

"This is encouraging news from Minister Garrett. Last year I called for the official process of uplisting to be opened following news of the devil's continued decline."

Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Christine Milne has welcomed the emergency heritage listing of the Tarkine wilderness by the Federal Minister for Environment and Heritage.

"Peter Garrett has made the right decision in exercising his powers of emergency listing to protect the natural and cultural values of the Tarkine, in light of the Tasmanian government's proposal to build an environmentally destructive road through the region."

The Australian Greens today outlined their commitment to protect the diversity of the Australian publishing industry for authors and readers, as the Federal Government considers handing over greater control to big book chains.

Senate debates: Committees

Senators’ Interests Committee; Report

Thank you for your warm welcome. I begin by acknowledging the Ngunnawal people, the traditional owners of the land.

Gandhi once said, "The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems."

We have reached a point in human history where 'what we do' on this planet imperils our survival. Now is the moment to re-imagine and reconsider 'what we are capable of doing'.

Senator MILNE (Tasmania) (5:16 PM) -by leave-I move:

That the Senate take note of the document.

I rise today to take note of the government response to a resolution of the Senate pertaining to the proposal by Forestry Tasmania to build a road in the Tarkine wilderness. The motion was moved by my colleague, Senator Bob Brown, and it read:

That the Senate-

The Government, Opposition and Family First joined forces today to oppose a motion by Senator Christine Milne noting the fire burning in the magnificent Tarkine wilderness, apparently related to a car accident on the 'Road to Nowhere', and calling for the road to be closed.

Senator Milne said "The fire still ravaging the magnificent Tarkine wilderness is a tragedy that was waiting to happen ever since the 'Road to Nowhere' was opened.

I was horrified to hear, from Rosslyn Beeby at the Canberra Times a couple of weeks ago, that a tremendously important piece of Australia's cultural heritage - Judith Wright's property, Edge, where she wrote much of her later work - was up for sale on the open market.