The Australian Greens are calling on the Government to waive the debts unknowingly incurred by young Australians hoodwinked by private VET providers.

“The rampant rorting of the VET system is one of the most extraordinary and damning examples of failed privatisation that Australia has ever seen,” Greens education spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“Young people and students should not be punished with existing debts for education and training they never received from dodgy institutions. 

The live animal export trade is a barbaric practice that must end despite Liberal National Government infighting over the issue, Australian Greens trade spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“This morning Agriculture Minister David Littleproud criticised Sussan Ley of being ‘emotional’ in  her response to live exports – I bet he wouldn’t have said that if she were a Liberal man,” Senator Hanson-Young said.

Reports that US President Donald Trump is looking to join the revived TPP are bad news for Australia’s economy and democracy, Australian Greens trade spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said today.

“Many of the worst features of the first dud deal were put on ice as an attempt to build a new deal out of the rubble. But everything that’s on ice gets defrosted if the US comes back to the table,” she said.

New Zealand’s ban on new offshore oil and gas exploration and drilling permits offers a path Australia must follow, South Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said today.

“The New Zealand Government have shown the leadership that Malcolm Turnbull’s been too afraid to show.

“New Zealand’s action demonstrates the environmental impact of offshore oil and gas to both the oceans and the climate can no longer be ignored.

“The real question is why New Zealand’s marine environment is worthy of protection from Big Oil, but the Great Australian Bight is not.

MEDIA RELEASE
6 April 2018

“Needs-based funding isn’t enough. What’s required to overcome educational disadvantage is needs-based schooling,” Australian Greens education spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“Wealthy schools need to realise they have a stake in this fight too. Every time they demand public money for upgrading a sports field or constructing a rowing shed, they’re drawing down on funding that could be going to schools that need it more.

“While the Greens support digital innovation and regulation, we’re never going to support throwing creative artists under the bus,” Greens arts spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“Our message to creative artists is unequivocal. We’re here to ensure the law empowers you, enables you, enhances you and emboldens you. The law should never impoverish you. Laws that hurt you hurt us, and we’ll fight them with you, shoulder to shoulder, day in, day out,” she said.

It’s terrific that we have passionate Greens members who are keen to put their hand up and participate in our democratic party processes. The wonderful thing about our party is that any and every member has the opportunity to throw their hat in the ring for preselection and it is our members who vote for our elected representatives. Our members are the heart and soul of our party.

I will be seeking their support to recontest the Senate race and represent them at the next election.

The Australian Greens will continue to fight the Liberal Government’s harsh university cuts by opposing the Higher Education Support Legislation Amendment (Student Loan Sustainability Bill 2018) being debated in the House today.

“This bill seeks to lower the HECS/HELP repayment threshold, forcing students to pay more on lower salaries when they graduate, making it harder for them to get ahead in the early stages of their careers,” Greens higher education spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

The Australian Greens have slammed the Catholic Education Commission’s continued bastardisation of Gonski, following new Fairfax reports it is keeping poor schools poor. 

“The Catholic sector argues it doesn’t get enough money, but happily continues to overfund rich schools at the expense of poorer ones,” Greens education spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.