Democracy & Governance

Senator Bob Brown doorstop - August 22, 2011

Greencast | Spokesperson Bob Brown
Monday 22nd August 2011, 9:59am
in

Australian Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown was interviewed at the senate doors this morning, where he discussed the "Convoy", the mining tax and Australia's economy.

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A milestone for Territorians and Australian democracy: Brown

Media Release | Spokesperson Bob Brown
Thursday 18th August 2011, 4:22pm
in

Greens Leader Bob Brown said he is delighted that the Senate has passed the Greens' territory rights private senator's bill.

"This important democratic legislation prevents territory laws being overridden at the whim of just one federal minister," Senator Brown said in Canberra today.

Senate refers Malaysia asylum seeker deal to inquiry

Media Release | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young
Wednesday 17th August 2011, 5:45pm
in

The Senate has this afternoon agreed to send the Malaysia deal to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report back by September 22, 2011.

Senators Bob Brown & Richard Di Natale press conference - Wednesday August 17

Greencast | Spokesperson Bob Brown
Wednesday 17th August 2011, 2:50pm
in

Australian Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown and Greens Senator for Victoria Richard Di Natale held a press conference to urge the Coalition to support plain packaging legislation for cigarrettes. Other topics included the proposed media inquiry, the upcoming tax review, coal seam gas mining and the carbon price package.

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With new role comes greater responsibility

Blog Post | Blog of Sarah Hanson-Young
Tuesday 5th July 2011, 9:32am
by ParisLord in

Yesterday was a great day for the Greens. Our team in the Federal Parliament went from six to 10 with Governor-General Quentin Bryce presiding over the swearing-in of 12 senators from around the country who were elected in August last year.

Uninformed industry groups’ scare campaign should be called off

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Friday 1st July 2011, 10:22am
in

The Australian Greens today called on the ‘Australian Trade and Industry Alliance' to call off its planned advertising campaign against a price on pollution until it is in a position to engage in honest and informed debate.

"Thomas Jefferson famously said that information is the currency of democracy," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

"Misinformation, as is being foisted on the Australian public every day by Tony Abbott and his allies, can only undermine our democracy.

"These groups should call off their campaign until an agreement is reached and announced and they are in a position to engage in honest, informed debate instead of a scare campaign that spreads yet more misinformation.

Govt must help students in limbo following 'Arab spring'

Media Release | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young
Saturday 25th June 2011, 9:59am
in

The Australian Greens will in the next sitting of parliament call on the Gillard government to help students in Australia who are from countries caught up in the Arab uprising.

The responsibility of Parliament

Blog Post | Blog of Bob Brown
Wednesday 22nd June 2011, 4:11pm
by MarionRae in

The following letter to the editor of The Australian was submitted on 21 June 2011:


Dear Editor

As I told your Canberra reporter on 20 June 2011, but you did not report to your readers, the difference between action on a republic and climate change is that the former requires a change to the Constitution and the latter requires a decision by the Parliament, as already empowered by the Constitution. The former requires a plebiscite and referendum, the latter requires neither - if you believe in the responsibility of Parliament.


Yours sincerely


Senator Bob Brown
Australian Greens Leader


 

Abetz blunders on plebiscite bill

Media Release | Spokesperson Bob Brown
Tuesday 21st June 2011, 5:03pm
in

The Coalition's Senate Leader Eric Abetz today blundered into gagging Greens Leader Bob Brown when Abetz introduced Tony Abbott's bill for a plebiscite on a carbon tax.


Senator Abetz blocked Senator Brown's request for a two minute statement to inform the Senate that he would move to amend the bill to require the Opposition to accept a people's verdict in favour of climate action.


"It appears the bill will not have the numbers in the Senate," Senator Brown said.


"Yesterday, Mr Abbott said he would not accept a ‘yes' vote for a carbon tax. Now the Coalition has doubly botched its plan, blocking parliamentary debate it doesn't like."


 

Win for local government - Brown

Media Release | Spokesperson Bob Brown
Tuesday 21st June 2011, 10:07am
in

Greens Leader Bob Brown today welcomed the announcement of an expert panel to guide Australia to a referendum to recognise and protect local government in the Constitution, delivering on the Greens' initiative in the agreement signed with the Government.


The Agreement signed on 1 September 2010 included the following goal:


f) Hold referenda during the 43rd Parliament or at the next election on Indigenous constitutional recognition and recognition of local government in the Constitution.


"The Greens will have a representative on the panel," Senator Brown said.


"Local governments deliver for communities and need to be able to call on federal government support, as we saw during the financial crisis."


"Without recognition in the Constitution direct grants from the Commonwealth to local government face massive legal uncertainty."


"Previous attempts, in 1974 and 1988, to have the status of local government recognised through a referendum failed because of the confusing nature of the questions put to the Australian voters. This time, the process will be supported by an expert panel," Senator Brown said.