Senator Mehreen Faruqi has responded to the publication of the report of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain on 15 March 2019.

Senator Faruqi is Australia’s first Muslim woman Senator, and the Australian Greens spokesperson for Anti-racism.

Senator Faruqi said:

“The Royal Commission report makes for disturbing reading. While there is still much to digest, a few things are clear at this point.

The Australian Greens Party Room has agreed to strengthen rules for Senators and MPs, making explicit a ban on sexual relations between any Federal Greens MPs and any Federal Greens staff members.
 
The Australian Greens and the Party Room already had very strong and extensive policies on sexual harassment and bullying and this update further strengthens those rules. These rules conform to community expectations and what is in place in workplaces around the country.
 

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP, and Greens Senate Leader and Queensland Senator, Larissa Waters, have said the success of the Queensland Greens at last night’s election showed the increasing momentum for progressive change, following on from major gains in the ACT last month, putting the party in strong contention for further Senate and lower house seats at the next Federal election.

The Australian Greens stand with the Kashmiri community on 27 October as they commemorate Black Day. Kashmir is a disputed territory and it is now over a year since the Indian Government revoked its special status and further eroded Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.

Lidia Thorpe has today been confirmed by the Victorian Parliament, clearing the way for the Greens Senator-Elect for Victoria to make her first appearance in the Senate in October. 

With Victoria's ongoing Stage 4 lockdowns leaving Victorian Parliament sitting on a reduced schedule, the last-minute confirmation was made possible through a joint sitting.

"This is a proud day not just for me, but for Aboriginal people across the country," Senator-elect Thorpe said. 

Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, has said Scott Morrison must strip Tony Abbott of his Prime Ministerial pension, if reports are correct that Abbott is now on the payroll of the British government.

“If these reports are true, Tony Abbott's job is now to promote another country, even if it means disadvantaging Australian farmers, producers and exporters,” said Mr Bandt.

"Scott Morrison has said Tony Abbott is a 'good hire' and he must immediately clarify the nature of the former PM's arrangement with the UK government.

Former Greens Leader and Senator for Victoria Dr Richard Di Natale will deliver his valedictory speech to the Senate this afternoon by remote video link. He will highlight serious failings in Australian politics to deal with the issues Australian people care about and outline a prescription to rejuvenate our democracy.