Greens Senator for South Australia Robert Simms is in Whyalla today attending a public hearing for the Senate Inquiry into the Future of Australia's Steel Industry.

"It is critical that steelworks like Arrium in Whyalla have the support they need to continue sustainable operations into the future. Arrium is a major employer in Whyalla and the loss of steelworks manufacturing here would be devastating for the community," Senator Simms said.

The Senate has backed a motion from Australian Greens Senator Robert Simms calling on the government to refocus South Australia's car manufacturing industry on electric cars.

"It's great to see the senate backing this motion for more job creation in SA. Electric car production is a multi-billion industry and one of the fastest growing in the world. Investing in this industry provides an opportunity for us to harness the skills and experience of our manufacturing industry and create new jobs," Senator Simms said.

Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Robert Simms is calling on the Federal Government to back his bill currently before parliament to kick-start electric car production in SA, following news that hundreds of jobs will be lost from Holden in Adelaide's North.

"My thoughts are with Holden workers during this difficult time," Senator Simms said.

Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Robert Simms is calling on the Federal and South Australian governments to assist the mid-north of this state in transitioning to a clean energy future, providing jobs and security for the region, following the announcement that more than 1100 jobs are at risk in Whyalla.

Greens spokesperson for Antarctic issues Senator Whish-Wilson provides the following comments on the reported CSIRO job cuts:

“I am devastated to hear of the hundreds of jobs to be lost across CSIRO especially those 110 supposedly to be lost from the Oceans and Atmosphere division.

“The flagship for the Oceans and Atmosphere division is located in Battery Point, Hobart and is a critical component of Tasmania’s Antarctic and climate sector.

Australian Greens Leader Richard Di Natale was in the room to see Australia's Foreign Minister address the UN climate talks in Paris overnight, and says her message rung hollow.

"Minister Bishop can say the word 'innovation' as many times as she likes, but Australia isn't impressing anyone at the Paris climate talks," Senator Di Natale said.

"This conference is packed with the cleanest, most clever technology, but Australia is over here refusing to dump fossil fuel subsidies and pushing ahead with the Southern Hemisphere's largest coal mine in the Galilee Basin.

The Greens broadly welcome the Turnbull Government’s Innovation Statement, however it does not repair the huge damage done to the science and research and development sectors by the Liberals’ funding cuts in recent years.

Greens Innovation spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said: “The focus on innovation and the attached funding are welcome, but it does not come close make up for the Liberals’ massive cuts to science, higher education and research and development.”

Following the release of the BIS Shrapnel report on a government procurement plan for steel the Greens have renewed their call for the NSW and federal governments to immediately adopt procurement frameworks for all publicly funded projects.

BIS Shrapnel recommends a minimum requirement of 85 to 90 per cent Australian steel use in all government products. Their report shows that a procurement plan would rescue the Port Kembla blast furnace.