Environment

Minister Garrett - Moratorium on Coal-Seam Gas

Please write to Minister Garrett and ask him to put a moratorium on the exploration and mining of coal seam gas on the Darling Downs.

This is some of our most valuable arable land, but as it stands there are no investigations into how the exploration and mining of coal seam gas will impact the farmland and groundwater of the Darling downs region.

It is vital that these impacts be assessed before further exploration and mining occurs.

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Write to Minister O’Brien

Western Australia's Transport Minister, Simon O'Brien is busy building more roads and refuses to consider light rail as part of a sustainable transport mix for Perth within the next decade. He has repeatedly neglected the opportunity for federal funding for public transport infrastucture through Infrastructure Australia.

Please tell Minister O'Brien you want light rail in Perth!

Use the form below to send him an email.

Remember, the letter will be more powerful if you write it yourself, but we have given you draft text below.

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A Royal Commission investigating the Shen Neng 1

Petition | Spokesperson Bob Brown

Wednesday 7th April 2010, 5:16pm

The Greens are calling for a Royal Commission into how the events that lead to the grounding of the coal ship Shen Neng 1 on the Great Barrier Reef occured. Certainly, the coal industry should be held to account, and with plans to expand shipping traffic in this region carrying coal and natural gas exports, this is an urgent situation that must be addressed immediately. We are asking you to add your voice to this call – sign this petition, and join the thousands of Australians demanding answers, action and accountability from the state and federal governments entrusted with the care of the Great Barrier Reef.

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands Management

Motion | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young

Thursday 4th February 2010, 10:11am

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia) (3.58 pm) - I, and also on behalf of Senator Siewert, move:

That the Senate-
(a) notes that:
(i) Tuesday, 2 February 2010 was World Wetlands Day,

(ii) the day marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (the Ramsar Convention) in Ramsar, Iran on 2 February 1971, and

(iii) in 2010, the focus of World Wetlands Day is on ‘caring for our wetlands - an answer to climate change', highlighting the continuing threat our wetlands face from unsustainable human practices and the likely impact that climate change will have on our wetland ecosystems;

Floods Buy Time For River But Federal Govt Must Act

Media Release | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young

Wednesday 20th January 2010, 12:26pm

The announcement that 148 gigalitres of water will be released from NSW to the lower Murray River and Lower Lakes is welcome, but it doesn't let the Federal Government off the hook, according to Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Senator Hanson-Young, Greens Spokesperson on the Lower Murray, says Prime Minister Kevin Rudd did little to help resolve the conflict between the states on how much water would be released to the bottom end of the river, and that his government's attitude needs to change.

"The 148 gigalitres of water will be is a welcome reprieve for the Murray and Lower Lakes, but it doesn't mean the Federal Government can relax,'' Senator Hanson-Young said.

It's Not THAT Easy Being Green, Tony

Media Release | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young

Friday 15th January 2010, 2:07pm

The Liberal Party may have made valid criticisms of the Federal Government's lack of action on the Murray-Darling and other issues, but neither of the major parties have proven their credentials on the environment, according to the Australian Greens.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on the Lower Murray, says last night's speech by Tony Abbott has attracted a lot of attention, but that the Liberals have to do more than just talk to convince people they are serious on the environment.

"Tony Abbott's proposals have some merit, but so far there is no reason for the Australian public to believe him on the environment,'' Senator Hanson-Young said.

Sarah on traveston dam decision

Greencast | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young

Thursday 12th November 2009, 12:00am

Sky News' David Speers talks to Senators Barnaby Joyce & Sarah Hanson-Young re: Traveston Dam decision.

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WONG MUST GIVE RANN GOVT “THE TALK” ON MURRAY

Media Release | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young

Tuesday 29th September 2009, 6:30am

Federal Water Minister Penny Wong needs to tell the Rann Government to start preparing Adelaide for life without its traditional water dependency on the Murray, according to Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on the Lower Murray, said Minister Wong has been willing to lecture Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull on climate change, and that she had to show the same determination in dealing with her own side of politics on the issue of water.

"Minister Wong needs to have a full and frank discussion with the State Government - if it is going to get serious about weaning Adelaide off its dependence on the Murray,'' said Senator Hanson-Young.

Greens urge Garrett to visit stricken Lakes

Media Release | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young

Saturday 30th May 2009, 1:21pm

Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young has urged federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett to visit her state’s stricken Lower Lakes before the parliamentary winter break, as Mr Garrett considers the construction of a proposed weir at Wellington.

“Minister Garrett must prioritise a visit to the lower Murray, Lakes and Coorong to witness first-hand the devastation facing the mouth of the Murray-Darling river system,” she said.

“We in South Australia understand all too well the urgent, desperate situation that has developed in the lower reaches of the Murray.

Garrett dodges environmental impact of Lakes regulators

Media Release | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young

Tuesday 12th May 2009, 3:30pm

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says the Federal Government is making a disastrous mistake in approving the construction of regulators around the Goolwa Channel without conducting an Environmental Impact Statement.

It was announced today by Environment Minister Peter Garrett that “emergency action” would proceed to construct the regulators within the Goolwa Channel near Clayton and in the mouths of the Finniss River and Currency Creek.

“The decision by the Environment Minister to push ahead with these interventions without conducting an Environmental Impact Statement is a dangerous one,” said Senator Hanson-Young.