The issue of Paid Parental Leave is shaping as one of the key issues in this election year, and as ever the Greens are fighting hard for the needs of families.
The Greens were the first party to come to grips with this critical issue, introducing legislation into Parliament early last year. The Greens' legislation would provide six months paid parental leave, with superannuation.
It is clear that six months is the bare minimum for paid parental leave - the Coalition has at last come to the same conclusion, while the Government has announced a proposal for 18 weeks, but both the major parties are yet to table legislation to deal with this issue.
The Greens have written to the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader calling for urgent talks to get this process moving.
We are only at the beginning of the discussion, but we can't waste any more time - Australian families can't afford it.
Sarah Hanson-Young, 7th January 2010
Racism does exist in Australia
This week has seen tensions between Australia and India escalate, following yet another attack on an international student. Indian authorities have issued a travel warning about increased violence in Melbourne. The Australian Government is in damage control.
While police investigations into the fatal attack of accounting graduate Nitin Garg in Melbourne and the discovery of the body of an unidentified Indian student in NSW are ongoing, the motives behind these attacks remain unclear.
What is certain however is that there is growing disquiet about the way our international guests have been treated. Yet, our Deputy PM, and the acting Premier of Victoria have been quick to dismiss the possibility that racism may have been a factor in why these young people were targeted, attacked and killed.
While it's too soon to determine exactly what happened, to simply rule out the possibility that racism was involved is neither good leadership nor smart diplomacy in an environment of increased violence.
Sarah Hanson-Young, 26th November 2009
LGBTI rights overseas “too complex” for Senate?
Sarah Hanson-Young, 28th October 2009Income Support for Students
Sarah Hanson-Young, 27th October 2009Education Services for Overseas Students
Sarah Hanson-Young, 16th October 2009Facing up to climate change
Protecting the climate is a job for everyone
Australia can, must and will meet 40% cuts by 2020. The Greens are confident that once we set off on the path to 25% cuts, delivered mostly at home, we can easily accelerate our effort towards 40% and beyond to carbon neutrality. Putting 25% on the table will see Australia taken seriously at the Copenhagen negotiations.
