The Senate has just voted in favour of a Greens motion to launch an inquiry into corporate tax evasion, in the lead-up to the G20 summit.

"On the same day that Labor has facilitated some of Joe Hockey's cruel budget cuts, the Greens have launched an inquiry to end the age of entitlement for the big end of town," said Greens Leader Christine Milne.

"Instead of pulling safety nets out from under people in our community who most need support, the Abbott government should look for ways to raise revenue from those who can afford to pay.

Greens Leader Christine Milne says she will this week move for a Senate inquiry into corporate tax evasion in Australia.

"In Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey's Australia the real leaners are the big corporations. The big end of town is not paying anywhere near the amount of tax it should be paying," Senator Milne said.

"Instead Tony Abbott is trying to raise revenue from the poor, the sick and the young. This is wrong.

"If the Abbott government wants to raise revenue for its phoney budget emergency they need to crack down on corporate tax evasion.

Greens Leader Christine Milne says the Abbott government is attempting to trick the states into talking about the GST, to distract from his brutal budget and the opportunities that still exist to raise revenue from his big business mates.

"My message to the states is: don't fall for Tony Abbott's GST ploy. The Prime Minister is trying to fool you and distract the community from his cruel budget cuts," Greens Leader Christine Milne said.

The Australian Greens will oppose a temporary so-called deficit levy but have left open the option for permanent increases in taxes on the wealthy if the Abbott government wants to get serious about progressive structural tax reform.

"Australia needs long-term structural economic reform for the future to address challenges like climate change and growing inequality," Greens Leader Christine Milne said.

"Both those challenges highlight the need for permanent revenue streams - not phoney temporary measures.

Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne called on the Labor party and cross benchers to reject any proposal from the Abbott Government for a new tax on Australians, while polluters and big business continue to be let off the hook.

"The Australian Greens will oppose any attempt to institute a new tax that will hurt Australians while the Abbott Government refuses to raise revenue from those who can afford it most.

"A tax like this on everyone except the richest and dirtiest must be rejected.

"We call on other Senators to do the same.

The Australian Greens have announced a plan to ease the pressure on small business by expanding tax breaks and strengthening the role of the national Small Business Commissioner.

These new initiatives follow yesterday's announcement that the Greens would lower the company tax rate from 30% to 28% for companies with turnovers of less than $2 million dollars.