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Political funding inquiry should not delay reforming legislation before next election

Lee Rhiannon 29 Jul 2015

Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon has advocated that the federal parliament legislate for political donation reform before the next election raising concerns that another parliamentary inquiry should not delay action.

"Political donation reforms are already well documented. We know what needs to happen - MPs should get on with the job and pass the necessary legislation," Senator Rhiannon said.

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Greens NSW members preselect Senator Lee Rhiannon for upcoming federal election

Lee Rhiannon 25 Jul 2015

A ballot of Greens NSW members has preselected Lee Rhiannon as the party's lead Senate candidate for NSW in the upcoming federal election.

Senator Rhiannon was elected to the Senate in 2010 and has served as the Australian Greens spokesperson for Higher Education, Aid, Democracy, Water, Animal Welfare and Local Government.

"At the next federal election the Greens will take the challenge straight up to Tony Abbott and Bill Shorten," Senator Rhiannon said.

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Flinders University: say no to the cash for Lomborg scheme

The Australian Greens have called on Flinders University to follow the University of Western Australia and reject the Abbott government's desperate bid to find a host for climate sceptic Bjorn Lomborg.

"It would be extraordinary if Flinders University accepted Education Minister Christopher Pyne's $4 million to host Bjorn Lomborg whose work has been widely discredited by both scientists and economists," Greens spokesperson for higher education Senator Lee Rhiannon said.

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Record Sydney house prices nothing to be proud of - time to tackle negative gearing

Lee Rhiannon 23 Jul 2015

Increasing numbers of homeless people - the ugly side of the $1 million price tag for a Sydney home - require fast tracking far reaching reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax, Greens NSW Senator Lee Rhiannon said today.

"The Sydney housing crisis should be a top priority of the NSW and federal governments," Senator Rhiannon said.

"Prime Minister Tony Abbott should speak up for those in his home city who are doing it tough with no relief in sight for secure housing.

"The working of the housing market excludes increasing numbers of people.

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Bishop copter debacle set to dog Abbott

Lee Rhiannon 19 Jul 2015

Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said:

"If Bronwyn Bishop signed the parliamentary form declaring that her $5000 is a legitimate expense then it is fraud and paying back the money is not enough.

"There needs to be an Australian Federal Police investigation.

"If the AFP investigation confirms what appears to be evident then the Speaker should be prosecuted. If convicted Mrs Bishop should resign from parliament.

"If the AFP fails to investigate they are effectively politicising their own actions because of their inconsistency.

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Senator Rhiannon to speak at the counter 'Reclaim Australia' protest - Sydney

WHAT: The anti-Islamic organisation ‘Reclaim Australia' is holding a series of rallies this weekend all around Australia. 

Peaceful counter rallies have been organised for those who oppose racism, bigotry, xenophobia and Islamophobia.

Senator Rhiannon will be speaking at the Sydney counter rally: No to Racism, No to Fascism, No to Islamophobia.

FB event: https://www.facebook.com/events/346452865546642/

WHEN: 10am Sunday 19 July

WHERE: Martin Place, between Macquarie and Phillip st

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Greens call for independent investigation into chopper scandal

Lee Rhiannon 17 Jul 2015

Following revelations today that the company contracted by Bronwyn Bishop to helicopter her from Melbourne to Geelong has close ties to her office, Australian Greens spokesperson for democracy Senator Lee Rhiannon is calling for a full, independent investigation into the matter.

"The more details revealed about this absolutely extraordinary episode the more apparent it becomes that something fishy is going on," Senator Rhiannon said.

"The public are fed up with scandals involving politicians and entitlements - especially when the age of entitlement is apparently over.

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Overseas aid loses out again - Australia joins block on tougher tax provisions

Commenting on reports that the Abbott government played a role in watering down the tax responsibilities of multinationals at an international conference on foreign aid, Greens overseas aid and development spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said:

"Australia's move to strike out a line calling on ‘full transparency' of payments from large corporations to ‘promoting transparency' is yet another example where the Abbott government has acted out of self-interest at the expense of developing countries.

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