The Australian Greens have urged the Federal Government to take a strong stand on any proposed mining exploration in the Woomera Prohibited Area.

Greens spokesperson for mining Senator Scott Ludlam said the plan to open up the zone would demand changes to the way the Foreign Investment Review Board operates.

"This will require a review of the way we define what is in the national interest. It is long past time the Government strengthened the guidelines the Foreign Investment Review Board uses to asses the national interest."

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."

The Greens have today warned voters not to be fooled by the major parties’ silence over uranium exports.

“Nuclear is the elephant in the room. Despite the notable silence on
uranium from both major parties, voters ought to be worried about
Australia’s rapidly growing involvement in the global nuclear
industry,” Greens Senate candidate Sarah Hanson-Young said today.