Christian Porter’s resignation from the Ministry in the face of a Greens’ no confidence motion doesn’t end the mystery donation affair, with the Greens vowing to pursue the Prime Minister over his failure to act and to renew a push in Parliament to have the Greens’ federal ICAC bill - which has already passed the Senate - brought on for debate in the House of Representatives.

The Greens have today announced that in balance of power after the next election, they will push to
tackle the growing mental health crisis in Australia by making mental healthcare free and unlimited for
everyone who needs it as part of Medicare.

The plan, which will create universal, unlimited and available mental healthcare through Medicare, will
be funded by taxing billionaires and big corporations making big profits.

Our plan will ensure everyone can access mental healthcare, when they need it, not when they can
afford it.

Greens Environment Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young responded to the Minister for Environment's proposal, released for public comment today, to not have recovery plans for 28 ecological communities and 157 threatened species:

“By seeking to rewrite the government’s obligations, the Minister is putting up the white flag on saving our wildlife and native plants. 

“Downgrading the level of obligation the on the Minister is downgrading the protection of our native animals and species.

The Greens have condemned the Morrison Government for proposing changes to conservation planning decisions that would see the Tasmanian devil recovery plan scrapped.
 
Greens Senator for lutruwita/Tasmania Peter Whish-Wilson said:
                                                                                                                       
“Tasmanian devils are endangered and their recovery from the infectious cancer that decimated their population is far from over.

The Greens have slammed the Morrison Government for upping its assault on lutruwita/Tasmania’s oceans and waterways. 
 
Quotes attributable to Greens Senator for lutruwita/Tasmania, and Greens spokesperson for Healthy Oceans, Peter Whish-Wilson:
 
“Make no mistake today’s announcement is the unofficial start of Scott Morrison’s election campaign.
 
“This is clearly sabre-rattling, preparing Australia for a khaki election and designed to be a distraction from the fact this Government is plagued with scandal and corruption.
 

Opinion polling of 1,052 Australians commissioned by the Greens and conducted by Lonergan Research has found Australians are overwhelmingly concerned about animal welfare and supportive of key animal welfare policies ahead of the next federal election. Crucially, strong animal welfare policies can impact voting intention.

Quick statistics:

Staff at the Alexander Maconochie Correctional Centre have breached the Australian Capital Territory Human Rights Act, after forcibly strip searching a First Nations woman and sexual assault survivor. The woman has multiple lung and heart problems, the latter requires a pacemaker.

A review found that there was no legal basis for the ACT’s mandatory search policies.

Comment from DjabWurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara Senator for Victoria Lidia Thorpe, the Greens spokesperson for Justice and First Nations:

The Greens say the Prime Minister should dump Christian Porter from his Ministry, and that the so-called "investigation" into whether the secret donation is a breach of Ministerial Standards is yet another delaying tactic from a government allergic to transparency and accountability.

Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on democracy Senator Larissa Waters said:
 
"It’s patently obvious that Christian Porter has breached the PM's own Ministerial Standards, and punting it to Gaetjens is clearly a delaying tactic, given his form.

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.