Lee Rhiannon spoke at a press conference following the public hearing into the federal lobbyists scheme. A number of NGOs and academics put forward submissions to this inquiry but Labor and Coalition MPs refused to invite any NGOs or academics who have been critical of the scheme. 

Moves by Sydney University to axe 100 academic jobs and move a further 60 to teaching-only roles is a blow to quality education at Sydney University and shows a lack of good faith in negotiations, said Greens Senator and Higher Education spokesperson Lee Rhiannon.

“Students rocking up to O-Week at Sydney University will be disappointed to learn of these massive job cuts and are entitled to be concerned for the quality of their courses”, said Senator Rhiannon.

Lee visited the University of New South Wales to help with the Greens stall at Orientation Week on 20 February 2012, and spoke about the issues facing universities and students in 2012.

In the lead up to the one and only public hearing for the inquiry into the federal lobbyists scheme, Greens Senator and Australian Greens democracy spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said:

"Academics and non-government organisations have characterised the federal regulation of lobbyists as timid and narrow with serious exclusions, but none have been invited to appear at the one public hearing dedicated to reviewing the scheme (details below).

Greens back campaign to clean up factory farming Australian Greens Senator and animal welfare spokesperson Lee Rhiannon today congratulated Voiceless for their campaign to clean up factory farming and end the cruel conditions many domestic animals are subjected to.

"The Voiceless campaign for the animals will help put pressure on the Australian government to improve the lives of farm animals," Senator Rhiannon said.

"Australian standards for rearing pigs and chickens lag behind those in the European Union.