The Government's announcement of $483m to fund the Urannah Dam, in close proximity to numerous existing and planned mining projects, is an undisguised investment in the expansion of the coal industry. 

The dam, in Joyce's own words, will provide water security for the nearby coal mining industry to grow into the future - even at a time when we need to urgently reduce emissions to avoid the impacts of climate change that parts of our country are currently experiencing. 

The Greens environment and water spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young said:

The Government's announcement of a $128.5M environmental reform package is a blatant attempt to bypass environment protections and fast track mining project approvals.

Greens Environment Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“The Morrison Government’s announcement is a blatant attack on our environment and wildlife. This is all about putting the profits of big mining companies and greedy developers ahead of our environment and communities, spending hundreds of millions of dollars to greenlight projects that will destroy our environment and make the climate crisis worse.

Greens Spokesperson for the Environment, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

"Today's announcement that koalas are endangered is a national shame. The Morrison Government has repeatedly ignored the warnings of experts that koalas were at risk. Now they could go extinct on their watch"

"It's now official, unless we take urgent action to protect koalas, they will be extinct. 

A new report from the Australian Conservation Foundation released today shows that despite the koala being listed as vulnerable, the Morrison Government has approved 63 projects that have cleared 25,000 hectares of koala habitat over the last 10 years.

Greens Spokesperson for the Environment, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

"Unless we take urgent action to protect koalas, they will be extinct in parts of Australia by 2050. 

With the federal election just months away, the Morrison Government has tried to find a quick fix for the ongoing issue of ABC funding by ending the indexation pause.

Greens Arts and Communications Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

"While the end to the funding freeze is welcomed, this short-term fix cannot undo the eight years of cuts and attacks on our national broadcaster. 

The Greens will go to the election fighting for a judicial inquiry into media regulation and ownership in Australia and will push for the inquiry in the next parliament and minority government.

Greens Spokesperson for Media and Chair of the Committee Inquiry into Media Diversity Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

"We need a judicial inquiry with the powers of a Royal Commission because politicians and political parties are too weak-kneed in the face of Murdoch’s power and influence to make and break political careers.

The Senate Inquiry into Media Diversity has today recommended that a judicial inquiry with the powers of a royal commission be established to examine whether the existing system of media regulation is fit‐for‐purpose and to investigate the concentration of media ownership in Australia.

Greens spokesperson for the Arts Senator Sarah Hanson-Young responded to the Parliament supporting amendments to a government bill in order to secure the future of the Australian film sector:

"Today the Parliament took on this arrogant Government and won. In doing so, it saved tens of thousands of jobs in the Australia screen and arts sector.

"The Government had attempted to play political games by pitting the industry against itself, but The Greens together with the opposition and cross benchers stood up and said no.

The Greens are urging the Morrison Government to listen to the live music and entertainment industry groups who are again today pleading for a government-backed insurance scheme.

Greens Arts Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young who has laws before the parliament to establish a live performance insurance guarantee said:

“The Morrison Government’s failure to heed the live performance industry’s calls and warnings about the consequences of being uninsured has left it in an incredibly perilous position heading into the festival season.

The Greens have pledged to keep fighting against South Australia being a dumping ground for nuclear waste, despite the Morrison Government declaring Kimba on the Eyre Peninsula its chosen site today.

Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“The Morrison-Joyce Government has officially decided to dump radioactive waste on Kimba on SA’s Eyre Peninsula, home to some of the country’s best agricultural land.