Greens MP David Shoebridge and Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon are in Wollongong today meeting with Unions and steel workers to talk about plans to secure the future of the steel industry in the Illawarra.

With the final vote on the NSW Steel Protection Bill due next week, cross party support growing for a Federal Steel Protection Bill and local Coalition MP Gareth Ward refusing to even debate steel in the Illawarra, it essential that MPs are in the region to listen to steel workers and other residents.

Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon and Greens MP David Shoebridge will be visiting the Illawarra tomorrow to meet with Unions and steel workers to talk steel.

With the final vote on the NSW Steel Protection Bill due next week, cross party support growing for a Federal Steel Protection Bill and local Coalition MP Gareth Ward refusing to even debate steel in the Illawarra, it essential that MPs are in the region listening to steel workers and other residents.

When:     11:00am Thursday 18 August 2016.

Today NSW Senator Lee Rhiannon will join Greens second Senate candidate Michael Osborne, Senate candidate Jane Oakley, candidate for Newcastle Dr John Mackenzie and candidate for Paterson John Brown to launch The Greens Jobs Rich Plan for the Hunter.

Download the Jobs Rich Plan for the hunter here. 

Greens New England candidate Mercurius Goldstein and Greens NSW Senator Lee Rhiannon say that the relocation of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to the Northern Tablelands smacks of pork barrelling three weeks before an election.

Mr Goldstein said: "It looks like Barnaby Joyce is relocating jobs to Armidale in an attempt to save his own.

"Mr Joyce should have waited for the results of a cost benefit analysis that we understand is required from the Prime Minister.

Australia should be leading the pack but right now we’re being left behind. This is a one-off opportunity. If we miss it, we miss out on new jobs, new prosperity and a cleaner, healthier environment.

Labor's steel plan announced by opposition leader Bill Shorten now falls short of what is needed to ensure the future of the steel manufacturing in Port Kembla (and also Whyalla in South Australia), the Greens said today.

"Mandated procurement on all government projects backed by stringent anti-dumping and quality control rules would provide a viable survival plan for the steel industry," Senator Rhiannon said.

"The people of the Illawarra should be informed on why Mr Shorten has reversed his support for such a policy as he announced last week.

Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon has welcomed opposition leader Bill Shorten's announcement backing  genuine local procurement strategies for the steel industry.

"Earlier this week the Greens called on Labor to back the growing campaign for local steel procurement so Mr Shorten's statement is welcome news," Senator Rhiannon said.

"The Australian steel industry is on a knife edge. Supporting local procurement is a solid survival plan.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales):

 I move: