The Australian Greens

Peace and Non Violence, Grassroots Democracy,
Social and Economic Justice, Ecological Sustainability

State election results consolidate Greens' mainstream status

Solid swings to Greens candidates in both the Tasmanian and South Australian elections have consolidated the party's position as Australia's third party, Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said in Hobart today. The Tasmanian Greens will share the balance of power with the Labor and Liberal party after achieving more than 20% of the vote and 5 seats with a sixth - second seat in Denison - still possible. In South Australia Greens candidate Tammy Jennings won the Greens' second seat in the Legislative Council with a 1.6% swing to the party.

"This is a strong message to both Liberal and Labor. It bodes well for our Senate campaign later this year," Senator Bob Brown said.

Read On or See Also
SA Greens Media Release: Greens Set to Double Their Upper House Representation

Greens condemn unscrupulous electioneering, renew call for truth in advertising

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown has condemned the use of misleading how-to-vote cards directing Family First voters to preference Labor during the South Australian election.

Senator Brown noted a range of misleading Labor materials used in the lead up to both state elections over the weekend, from television advertisements attacking SA Liberal leader Isobel Redmond to automated calls in Tasmania to undermine the Greens.

"The use of unscrupulous tactics to mislead voters highlights again the need for federal truth in advertising laws," said Senator Brown.

Building efficiency disclosure welcome, but Greens' bill would deliver greater benefits

The Greens today welcomed the final arrival of the Rudd government's election promise to require non-residential commercial buildings to disclose their energy efficiency to potential purchasers or lessees.

The disclosure scheme is a small step forward, but will have nowhere the broad positive impact for lowering energy bills, increasing productivity and reducing emissions that the Greens Energy Efficient Non-Residential Buildings Scheme would have.

"I'm glad that this disclosure scheme has finally arrived, but it is disappointing that once again the Rudd government has opted for the lowest common denominator instead of reaching towards ambitious action," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

Rudd prepares to open the uranium floodgates to Russia

On the eve of the most important international disarmament negotiations in a generation, the Rudd Government has foreshadowed uranium sales to Russia, which holds the world's largest stockpile of nuclear weapons.

Late in 2008 the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) made a strong recommendation against a Howard-era Russia uranium deal proceeding, unless a number of important conditions were met.

"Instead of a reasoned rebuttal of the JSCOT report, the Government's response reads like a poorly worded press release from the uranium mining industry," said Greens Senator Scott Ludlam, spokesperson on nuclear issues.

"This feeble attempt to dismiss the entirely legitimate concerns of JSCOT is nothing more than Prime Minister Kevin Rudd clearing the decks on behalf of the uranium miners.

Our Students Need an Education Ombudsman

The Australian Greens have moved to lock in protection for all students with legislation to provide a new national authority to handle education complaints, according to Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on Education, has today introduced the Ombudsman Amendment (Education Ombudsman) Bill 2010 into Parliament, which would establish a new office of the Education Ombudsman under the Commonwealth Ombudsman.

"We need a one-stop national authority that can resolve student complaints, whether it's in domestic education or the international education sector, '' Senator Hanson-Young said.