Greens welcome Vanessa Bleyer to federal team, announce portfolios to defend nature, take on AI

Editor's note: The full list of portfolios including relevant media contacts is available on the Greens media contacts page.

The Australian Greens have announced new portfolios that highlight the growing community concern around artificial intelligence and welcome the party’s new Senator for Tasmania, Senator Vanessa Bleyer.

The change comes following the departure of Senator Pete Whish-Wilson, who we farewelled on August 13 after his strong thirteen year innings fighting for healthier oceans.

A former environmental lawyer by trade, Senator Vanessa Bleyer will be taking on advocacy for Healthy Oceans, Science and Industry, as well as Agriculture.

For the first time, the Greens will also include a dedicated spokesperson for Artificial Intelligence, in recognition of the increasing role it plays in our day-to-day life and growing community concern about its impacts on work, privacy, and safety. David Shoebridge will be taking on this important role.

Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Larissa Waters said:

“The Greens are fighting for a country where owning a home isn’t out of reach, where our public services are world class and truly free, where we have a safe climate, and where corporations can’t rip us off for the basics.

“Our team will push the Labor, Liberal and One Nation to stop putting corporate profits ahead of people - and instead tax the obscene profits of big corporations to fund the services we all need.

“I’m glad to welcome Senator Bleyer to the team as a fierce advocate for Tasmania, fighting for a cleaner, fairer country. She joins the Greens at a critical time for oceans and agriculture, which are both facing massive risks from dangerous global warming.

 “For the first time, the Greens will also have a dedicated spokesperson for Artificial Intelligence in David Shoebridge. With people growing increasingly worried about AI putting people out of work and pushing up inflation, the Greens will fight to make sure that the right rules are in place to regulate AI’s impact on our communities, our fundamental rights and our national security.”

Australian Greens Senator Vanessa Bleyer said:

“I have always fought for the people, places and causes that have shaped my life.

“As a lawyer, I protected our native forests and the species dependent on them, I protected our marine wildlife and the oceans in which they live, I stopped illegal cruelty to non-human animals, and I stopped people being evicted from their homes.  

“As a Senator, I will fight to save the Maugean Skate which is on the brink of extinction, I will support our farmers as they are confronted with the impacts of climate change, and I will push for big corporations to clean up their act.

“We all inherit obligations to one another, to the people who come after us, and to the places we are fortunate enough to call home.  I am here to meet my obligations for all species on Earth.