The UN General Assembly last year proclaimed 2014 the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, yet illegal settlements continue to be built on the West Bank with little criticism from Australia.

Attempting to move a motion in the Senate this week, Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne said:

"It is disgraceful that when in Israel recently the Foreign Minister Julie Bishop questioned whether the unlawful settlements were in fact illegal at all.

The Australian Greens are deeply concerned about implications of the diplomatic crisis that continues with Indonesia.

"I am deeply disappointed and alarmed at the rate of deterioration in the relationship between Indonesia and Australia," Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne said.

"Australia and Indonesia should be building and deepening our friendship but instead Tony Abbott has allowed his cheap domestic politics of ‘stop the boats' to undermine the long-term interest of the nation.

Thirty days after the Greenpeace protest vessel the Arctic Sunrise was boarded by armed Russian officials, Greens Leader Christine Milne has renewed calls for the Australian Government to do more to secure the release of citizen Colin Russell, who was today denied bail on ludicrous piracy charges.

"It is a tragedy that Colin Russell has been refused bail. It must be a frightening situation for him," Senator Milne said.

"We are extremely concerned that a Tasmanian is in prison in Russia and the Federal Government is not doing very much to help.

The Prime Minister is attending the APEC Summit in Bali this weekend and must use the opportunity to make representations on behalf of Australian citizen Colin Russell who has been imprisoned and charged with piracy in Russia, says Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne.

"Prime Minister Abbott must step in after a week of silence from the Australian Government," Senator Milne said.