Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (19:13): The Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Data Retention) Bill 2015 should not be passed. My colleagues Greens senators Scott Ludlam, Christine Milne and Penny Wright have set out a very clear case as to why this bill should not be passed. The way in which the Liberal, National and Labor parties have colluded to rush through parliament this bill, which creates the government's mass surveillance regime, is a disgrace. It is a result of an ugly backroom deal between these parties.

As talk of the next election and a possible double dissolution heats up, Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon has called on the Abbott government to get its priorities right and make Senate voting reform a priority for the coming sitting weeks.

“Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been sitting on a parliamentary report that recommends optional preferential voting for the Senate. It is time the government moved on this important reform”, Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said.

Labor has voted with the Liberals and Nationals to block a Senate motion that detailed their failure to return all the political donations that they have received from the CSG company Santos and that calls for a ban on political donations from mining and coal seam gas companies.

“It is deeply disappointing that Labor has refused to back a ban on political donations from mining and coal seam gas companies,” said Greens Senator for NSW Lee Rhiannon.

Labor has voted with the Abbott government against a Greens Senate motion on pollution from cruise ships in White Bay, Balmain which is reportedly causing widespread health problems.

“It is deeply disappointing that the major parties have voted against our motion calling for mandatory minimum standards for cruise ships at White Bay,” said Greens Senator for NSW Lee Rhiannon.

Commenting on the news that the Abbott government has appointed Mr Reg Nelson, former Managing Director of Beach Energy, as chair of the Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Growth Centre, Greens democracy spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said:

“The appointment of Mr Nelson further strengthens the case for far reaching political donation reform.

“Beach Energy has been a major donor to the Liberal Party, giving a donation of over $230,000 in the lead up to the last two federal elections.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (11:23): I move:

That the Senate-

(a) notes that:

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (17:25): The contributions that we have heard from the two previous senators, representing Labor and the coalition, show how enormously out of touch they are with what is happening in Australia today. There is an enormous shift in public understanding and public opinion about how we should look after our farming land, how we should protect our environment, how we should deliver our energy and where we can create jobs.

Commenting on Education Minister Christopher Pyne’s announcement that he will reintroduce legislation to deregulate university fees for a third time, Greens higher education spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon said:

“Christopher Pyne has gone from desperate to delusional. His deregulation agenda has been comprehensively rejected by university staff, students, the community, and the parliament – twice.”

Senator Rhiannon has also called on the federal Liberal Party to return $15 million spent on advertising this failed party policy.

Australian Greens comment on Senator Leyonhjelm's Parliamentary speech about keeping native animals as pets

Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens environment spokesperson, said:

"Senator Leyonhjelm's speech was an attack on our national parks, which are obviously essential to both fauna and flora conservation, and must be preserved for future generations.

"Suggesting that we can stop the our extinction crisis by keeping native animals as pets, while dismissing national parks flies in the face of the scientific evidence.

Lee moves that mandatory minimum standards be applied to cruise ships at White Bay to limit the pollution Sydney residents are exposed to.  The motion was defeated on the combined vote of Labor and the Coalition.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (16:06): I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 659 standing in my name, relating to cruise ship terminals.

Leave granted.

Senator RHIANNON: I move the motion as amended: