Right now I am on an eight-hour road trip to the Thai-Burma border, which gives me time to reflect on the amazing parliamentary year that is finally drawing to a close.

It has been a big year for the Greens - our support has been on the rise, punctuated by a record performance for a third party in both Houses at the federal election in August. More importantly, on a federal level, we are starting to achieve real outcomes, both in terms of expanding the range of political debate and in working to secure improvements to legislation that affects people's lives.

The Senate has today passed a Greens' motion calling on the government to reverse a decision to close the offices of the National Archives in Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said: "The government should properly consult with the public before closing down valuable public assets such as these. All Australians should have access to the collections in their home state or territory. Researchers in Tasmania, South Australia or the Northern Territory are no less valuable to the preservation of our history and culture."

(Question No. 2111)
Senator Hanson-Young asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment,
Heritage and the Arts, upon notice, on 26 August 2009:
With reference to the grant of $316 532 of public funds provided by the Australian Film Commission
and Film Finance Corporation Australia (now Screen Australia) to the film, Stolen, screened in
June 2009 at the Sydney Film Festival:
(1) Was Screen Australia ever informed of problems related to the production of Stolen.

The Greens today announced plans to ban alcohol advertising in Australia.

“Alcohol significantly contributes to assaults, accidents and
suicides and the World Health Organisation considers that alcohol has a
similar impact on human health to tobacco,” Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens
Senate candidate for SA said today.

“Australia long ago banned tobacco advertising and sponsorship of
sporting and cultural events. The Greens will apply the same
restrictions to alcohol advertising,” Ms Hanson-Young said.