The release today of the final report of the Select Committee on Electric Vehicles shows Australia is at risk of being left behind in the electric vehicle revolution, say the Australian Greens.

Following publication of a report by the Public Transport Users Association, the Greens are calling on Labor and Liberal to get serious about investing in public transport.

“We’ve seen mega freeways and toll roads prioritised over real congestion-busting solutions for decades,” said Sam Hibbins, Victorian Greens transport spokesperson.

Australian Greens Senator for NSW, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has announced that the Australian Greens will set aside $1.5 billion to start construction of the Thirroul Tunnel to slash rail travel times to Sydney for the people of the Illawarra as part of their Federal Election platform. 

Senator Faruqi, who is also a civil and environmental engineer, said: 

Residents in outer suburbs have been appalling neglected by successive governments failing to properly invest in public transport, say the Greens, following the publication of Infrastructure Australia’s Outer Urban Public Transport report.

The government is deluding itself and all Australians about being on track to meet Paris climate change targets as a report from the Climate Council shows that Australia’s transport emissions have risen almost 63% since 1990, say the Greens.

“Australia’s appalling rise in pollution from transport shows what a trainwreck this government’s inaction on climate really is,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens transport spokesperson.

I rise to briefly speak on the Airports Amendment Bill 2018. I support the remarks made by my colleague Senator Rice on this bill. This bill actually weakens planning regulations and community consultation processes for federally-leased airports. I'll get straight to the point: Western Sydney Airport in New South Wales. The Western Sydney Airport is a complete scam being foisted on the people of Western Sydney by the federal government and by the state government in New South Wales. The people of Western Sydney are being totally conned.

Monday, 10 September

An Australian Greens bill that would end live sheep exports has passed the Australian Senate, immediately banning the live export of sheep from Fremantle Harbour during the Northern Summer and transitioning to a complete ban within five years. The bill was co-sponsored by Independent Senators Derryn Hinch and Tim Storer.

Leaked documents showing the Turnbull government hid $7 billion in hidden transport funding in the May budget to allow for election announcements in marginal seats show just how cynical infrastructure planning has become.

“This hidden election war chest is a sneaky trick designed to keep the Coalition in government instead of creating the clean, fast, frequent and safe transport options that our cities and regions need,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens transport spokesperson.