Greens water spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon has warned the Abbott-Truss government from using the stocktake of irrigation projects to justify winding up plans for retrieving water to ensure river health across the Murray Darling Basin.

"This stocktake looks like a ploy by Water Minister Bob Baldwin to justify the government's long term aim to allow big irrigators to retain water that should go back to the ailing river system," Senator Rhiannon said.

Commenting on Fairfax's announcement that it is moving to significantly downsize its regional news operations in the Hunter, Greens NSW Senator Lee Rhiannon said:

"This decision by Fairfax is another blow to regional news reporting which is already under funded and under resourced.

"My thoughts are with all the staff and their families in the Hunter who were briefed about the threatened job cuts today.

"I fully support industrial action taken by Fairfax staff to protest against job losses and stand in solidarity with staff who have taken strike action today.

Commenting on AGL's decision to end all political donations (http://tinyurl.com/norm5yb), Greens spokesperson for democracy Senator Lee Rhiannon said: "Even if AGL finally understands why corporate political donations are so problematic, what's taking the Coalition and Labor so long?

"In the past five years the minerals industry has donated more than $5 million, the gambling industry $4 million and the property industry more than $9 million to political parties.

BlueScope's $134 million profit, and the nine per cent increase in revenue from last financial year, undermine the company's claims that it needs "sacrifices from its workforce" at Port Kembla in order to remain profitable, Greens Senator for NSW Lee Rhiannon said.

"BlueScope is threatening to shut down operations in Port Kembla, putting at risk tens of thousands of jobs across the Illawarra and the region's future economic viability," Senator Rhiannon said.

Reports that very few students enrolled in private colleges graduate with qualifications reveals the extent of the negative impact for-profit companies are having on education standards, Greens tertiary, technical and further education spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said.

"Assistant Minister for education and training Senator Simon Birmingham is crying crocodile tears over a problem the Abbott government created when they brought in their privatisation agenda for vocational education and training course," Senator Rhiannon said.

Lee moved the following motion which was supported only by the ten Greens Senators.

AYES
Di Natale, R; Hanson-Young, SC; Ludlam, S; McKim, NJ; Rhiannon, L; Rice, J; Siewert, R; Waters, LJ; Whish-Wilson; Wright, PL

A new airport for Sydney is urgently needed to overcome the major issues of aircraft noise, air pollution and public safety. The Greens have set out a plan which would see public ownership of the new facility, a high speed rail link linking it to major population centers and redevelopment of the site of the current airport.

Click the link below to download our leaflet on Sydney's new airport.

The Greens have developed a positive vision for Australia which includes free and fair higher education, a renewable energy transition plan and an efficient public transport system. 

The Abbott government’s refusal to release higher education modelling documents arguing that it would be contrary to the public interest is jaw dropping says Australian Greens spokesperson for higher education Senator Lee Rhiannon.

 “Refusing to produce the Senate’s request for higher education policy costings is yet another arrogant and misguided move by a government that is majestically unravelling,” said Senator Rhiannon.

Abbott and Baird sitting in a tree, A.M.A.L.G.A.M.A.T.I.N.G.

The Abbott government has again demonstrated how out of touch it is with community sentiment when in the Senate today they supported the forced amalgamation policy of the NSW Baird government.

The Greens motion to support the right of communities to determine the future of their own local councils was defeated on the combined vote of the Liberal, National and Labor parties.