The Australian Greens have put their support behind the Fair Trade Fortnight (2-17 May), encouraging Australians to take part in events occurring around the country.

"Fair trade enables consumers to make an ethical choice when purchasing products, enabling even the simplest of transactions to have huge, global impact," said Australian Greens industrial rights spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert.

"The movement advocates the payment of a ‘fair price' as well as social and environmental standards in areas related to the production of a wide variety of goods."

The Australian Greens today outlined their vision for Australia in the new century ahead of the opening of the Balance-of-Power Senate.

Australian Greens Leader, Senator Bob Brown, said a record 1.17 million people voted Greens at the last election, and the five Greens Senators were ready to work constructively with all parties to respond to the challenges of the new century.

"Pollution, poverty, discrimination and the destruction of Australia's forests and precious environments are the legacy of the last century and decades of greed and inaction."