Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young responded to the announcement the Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley has approved the Vickery coal mine expansion in NSW:

"This is a disastrous decision by the so-called Environment Minister. 

"Sussan Ley continues to do the bidding of fossil fuel industry and approve coal mines that damage the environment and pollute the planet. 

"The Environment Minister’s job should be protecting our environment and reducing pollution. Once again Sussan Ley proves she’s the Minister Against the Environment, not for. 

The SA Greens will take the fight against nuclear submarines to be built in Adelaide to Canberra, labelling it a dangerous deal that puts a target on the state’s back. 

Greens Senator for SA Sarah Hanson-Young said:

"The Prime Minister has signed a disastrous and dangerous deal for Australia.

"Many Australians have woken up to this news this morning and are feeling scared and worried about what the consequences will be. 

"This is a serious escalation in our military policy and spending. It puts a target on the back of Adelaide and SA.

Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young will drive a plan to manufacture electric vehicles in her home state and encourage a national incentive scheme to accelerate the uptake of EVs, as the party’s new portfolio holder.

Senator Hanson-Young said:

“I’m committed to taking up the fight for EVs in Australia. Today’s electric cars are smart, comfortable and better for the environment - and I can’t lie, the acceleration is awesome.

With the confirmation of new Senator for Western Australia Dorinda Cox today, Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, has put the Greens on election footing with a reshuffle of the Greens’ ‘shadow Ministerial’ portfolios that prioritises the party’s key campaign areas and sets the party up for ‘balance of power’ negotiations in the likely event of a minority Parliament. 

The Greens have today introduced legislation to establish a Federal Environment Watchdog to enforce Australia’s environment laws. 

Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Australia’s environment laws are failing to protect our wildlife and natural places. Our environment laws not only need strengthening they need to be enforced. 

The Australian Greens have savaged Labor’s decision to vote with the Liberals today in the Senate to spend public money opening up massive gas fields in the Beetaloo Basin, saying the move raised questions as to whether Labor still believes the climate crisis is real.

If Labor had voted with the Greens and crossbench, the fund would have been abolished, given the numbers in the Senate. Labor is responsible for the continued existence of the $50 million Beetaloo Co-operative Drilling Program to open up new gas projects.

The Australian Greens have slammed Labor for joining the Liberals in allowing $21 million of public money to be handed to a company deeply connected to Minister Taylor and the Liberals, using public money to fund new gas projects in a time of climate crisis.

At today’s Labor Caucus meeting, the party confirmed it intends to vote with the government on a Greens disallowance motion that would have blocked $50m from being gifted to gas companies headquartered in tax havens that want to kick start a 6% rise in Australia’s pollution.  

The Greens will move in the Senate for the Morrison Government to establish a Federal Insurance Guarantee for the live performance and events industry. 

Greens Spokesperson for the Arts Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Our live performance and events sector has taken another hit with half the country back in lockdown or living with restrictions more than a year into this Covid pandemic. 

Chair of the Senate Inquiry into Media Diversity Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will move for YouTube’s seven-day ban on Sky News to be investigated by the Committee.

Senator Hanson-Young said she will be requesting that representatives from Sky News, YouTube/Google and ACMA be called to give evidence on the ban and why the broadcasting regulator has failed to take any action.

“The obvious question is if the spread of misinformation isn’t allowed on the internet why is it on television broadcasts?

The Morrison Government must urgently deliver targeted and adequate funding support to the the Arts and Entertainment Industry, the Greens say.

Greens Spokesperson for Arts Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said: 

“Australia’s Arts and Entertainment Industry has been pummelled by this crisis from the very beginning and it is still suffering. 

“The Morrison Government has failed to provide adequate support to help the Industry survive, to help workers put food on the table and pay rent, and to keep doors open in the future.