Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia) (9.51 am) - I move:

That the Senate -

(a) notes that:

(i) Enrol to Vote Week 2010 will run from 17 May to 23 May 2010 with the theme ‘You never know when an election might be called!', and

(ii) in 2007 only 17 208 Australians enrolled or updated their details by 8 pm on the day election writs were issued compared to 423 975 in the old 7 day period in 2004; and

(b) recognises the importance of empowering young people in the democratic process.

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia) (10.36 am) - I, and also on behalf of Senator Humphries, move:

That the Senate recognises the sovereignty of the territory parliaments to legislate within the powers conferred on them by the Federal Parliament, without interference from the Federal Government.

Question put.

The Senate divided. [10.37 am]

(The President-Senator the Hon. JJ Hogg)

Ayes............ 7

Noes............ 50

Majority......... 43

Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young says the Greens are ecstatic about their history-making performance in the Mayo by-election yesterday.

"It’s a fantastic, history-making result, and we’re very proud of our candidate Lynton Vonow," said Senator Hanson-Young.

"We’ve built strongly on the 11 per cent that the Greens received in Mayo at the 2007 federal election to achieve our best result ever in a South Australian lower-house seat.

Sarah Hanson-Young delivers her inaugural speech in the Senate.

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."

Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young today
announced Adelaide Hills resident Lynton Vonow as the Greens’ candidate
in the upcoming Mayo by-election.

Mr
Vonow, who was also the Greens’ candidate for Mayo in the 2007 federal
election, said he was honoured to re-stand at the by-election. “These
times are desperately critical for the River Murray, Lakes and Coorong,
for our farmers’ viability, for decisively tackling global warming, and
for our regional hospitals.

Greens policies have been commended by professional organisations
across a variety of issues during this federal election campaign,
Greens Senate candidate for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young pointed
out today.

Ms Hanson-Young today released a list of policy scorecards
indicating the widespread support the Greens have received from
industry and lobby groups.