The Greens have today introduced legislation to establish a Federal Environment Watchdog to enforce Australia’s environment laws. 

Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Australia’s environment laws are failing to protect our wildlife and natural places. Our environment laws not only need strengthening they need to be enforced. 

The Australian Greens have savaged Labor’s decision to vote with the Liberals today in the Senate to spend public money opening up massive gas fields in the Beetaloo Basin, saying the move raised questions as to whether Labor still believes the climate crisis is real.

If Labor had voted with the Greens and crossbench, the fund would have been abolished, given the numbers in the Senate. Labor is responsible for the continued existence of the $50 million Beetaloo Co-operative Drilling Program to open up new gas projects.

This is a report on the inquiry of impact of seismic testing on fisheries and the marine environment. The inquiry established by the Greens looked into the impact of seismic testing on fisheries and on the marine environment, with particular reference to the body of science and research into the use of seismic testing, the regulation of seismic testing in both Commonwealth and state waters, and the approach taken to seismic testing internationally.

Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young has today called for the Nationals to be stripped of the water portfolio following the return of Barnaby Joyce to the leadership.

“After just two days with Barnaby Joyce back in the leadership, the Nationals have launched an extraordinary attack on the River Murray and the people and environment of South Australia.

“This is a direct challenge to Scott Morrison today, stand up to the water terrorists and make sure that Barnaby Joyce never gets his hands on Australia’s water policy ever again.

The Australian Greens have called on the Senate, and state and territory governments, to reject the Morrison Government’s flawed environmental law reforms following the release of a highly-critical Senate Inquiry Report today. 

Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“The Morrison Government is trying to weaken environment protection laws and hand approval powers for mines and big developments to the states rather than the Commonwealth.

“It is quite clear from the Senate Inquiry Report released today into this plan must be stopped. 

The Greens say an investigation is needed into the offsets for the Western Sydney Airport, after revelations that consortiums including advisors to the NSW government made millions from the development. 

An investigation by Lisa Cox at The Guardian revealed that over a quarter of all offsets sold in the NSW scheme were collected by the consortiums. 

Quotes attributable to Greens Leader, Adam Bandt:

Australian Greens Senator for NSW, Mehreen Faruqi, has said that today’s announcement of a NSW ban on firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals is welcome, but long overdue.

The Commonwealth should now proceed with a national ban.

Senator Faruqi said:

“Communities across NSW will welcome this news. It is long overdue. Our environment and people’s livelihoods have been ruined by toxic PFAS chemicals.

The Greens have today introduced new laws to stop land clearing of critical habitat and save our koalas.

The legislative move would prevent the Federal Environment Minister from approving new mines or developments in koala habitat.

Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Koalas are a national treasure and yet the Environment Minister is not just failing to save them but she continuously signs their death warrant.

“Unless habitat clearing is stopped, koalas will soon be extinct.

Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, says a new report on the impact of global warming on the Murray-Darling makes the fork in the road crystal clear.

“If Scott Morrison doesn’t accept we’re in a climate emergency and start phasing out coal and gas, nothing will save the Murray-Darling,” Bandt said.

“The Prime Minister must choose between crops or coal, because we can’t have both.

“Scott Morrison is failing to protect Australia’s farmers.

“Scott Morrison’s coal-hugging and climate-denial is threatening Australia’s ability to feed itself.