Australian Greens Industry Spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has reacted to news that General Motors will axe the Holden brand and 600 workers with it.

Senator Faruqi said:

Australian Greens Senator for NSW, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has said Labor and the Coalition have betrayed the Central Coast and Newcastle Community by voting down a Greens motion calling for genuine community consultation on Asset Energy’s plan to conduct seismic testing for gas.

The Australian Greens will move amendments to the Customs Amendment (Growing Australian Export Opportunities Across the Asia-Pacific) Bill 2019 to increase the transparency of trade negotiations, exclude Investor-State Dispute Settlements (ISDS) provisions and ensure that protecting human rights, workers and our environment is at the heart of how Australia engages with our region, and the world.

The Australian Government has rejected key recommendations of the Senate Inquiry into the governance and operation of the Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) aimed at improving transparency and avoiding conflicts of interest.

Greens Co-deputy leader and Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters said the Morrison Government had rejected the evidence in favour of continuing with a politically motived waste of taxpayers’ money designed to funnel community resources into projects like Adani.

Australian Greens Trade spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John has called on the government to protect the rights of Australian workers and the integrity of our democracy before signing off on the Indonesia, Hong Kong and Peru Free Trade Agreements which are now before Parliament.

“The Greens will be moving two straightforward sets of amendments to the implementing legislation of these FTAs to protect the rights of Australian workers and the integrity of our democracy,” Senator Steele-John said.

GFG’s announcement to transform Whyalla into a renewable energy super power shows the Coalition Government’s lack of leadership is letting Australians down. 

“This is the leadership Australia needs to transition to a new, clean economy,” Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young said. 

“Sanjeev Gupta’s announcement shows environmental responsibility for a typically dirty industry. This record-investment in renewable energy, sustainable horticulture and recycling thrusts Whyalla into the future and proves the Government wrong on renewables. 

I rise on behalf of the Greens to speak on the report on the inquiry into the prevention, investigation and prosecution of industrial deaths in Australia. This inquiry was much needed because the safety of our workers is of utmost importance. We really must have zero tolerance for work related deaths. I started my working life as a civil and structural engineer, so I do know firsthand the dangers that lurk on construction sites, which are among the deadliest sites for workers.

The Australian Greens have called on the Government to implement local employment targets to ensure South Australians are prioritised for the thousands of jobs expected to be created in ship building from 2021.

“We’re being told it’s going to rain jobs in South Australia in 2021, but we’re in a drought at the moment. With a project that’s offering thousands of jobs, in a state where we have almost 60,000 people out of work, it is important that we look to supporting locals winning these jobs first and foremost,” Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young said.

The Australian Greens want the government to use Australian steel in the national infrastructure projects announced in the 2017 Budget and will move in the Senate tomorrow to support steel jobs in South Australia.

“Using Whyalla-made steel in Australian infrastructure would not only give much-needed support to South Australia’s steel industry, but send a message to the steelworkers that this Government has their backs,” Greens trade spokesperson, Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young said.

Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young has slammed Barnaby Joyce and Matt Canavan for spruiking a cruel deal to Whyalla steelworkers that won’t result in long-term sustainability for Arrium.