The Greens say confirmation in the Reef Snapshot: Summer 2021-22 of the sixth mass coral bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef lays bare the Morrison Government’s near-decade of failure on climate action.  

The Snapshot confirms the Reef has suffered the fourth mass bleaching event since 2016, and the first in La Nina conditions, with 91% of surveyed areas showing signs of bleaching.

Lines attributable to Greens deputy leader and Queensland Senator Larissa Waters:

The Greens say confirmation in the Reef Snapshot:  Summer 2021-22 of the sixth mass coral bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef lays bare the Morrison Government’s near-decade of failure on climate action.  

The Snapshot confirms the Reef has suffered the fourth mass bleaching event since 2016, and the first in La Nina conditions, with 91% of surveyed areas showing signs of bleaching.

Lines attributable to Greens deputy leader and Queensland Senator Larissa Waters:

The Greens have called on the Morrison Government to intervene and rule out using explosives on protected seals during its three-year trial of fish farms in Commonwealth waters.  

The call comes following the release of Government data which revealed Huon Aquaculture used more than 8057 underwater explosives against seals in the 15 months to the end of March.

The Australian Greens will move in the next parliament to establish an Independent Debates Commission to oversee live television election debates, with last night's leaders' debate once again proving to be a farce.

Greens spokesperson for media and communications Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

"Last night's debate was woeful and a disservice to voters.

"Those of us who suffered through it watched two grown men - so-called leaders - shouting at each other, interrupting, smirking and aggressively talking over the top of others including the female moderator.

Australian Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has panned Labor’s apparent swift backflip today on its promised phase-out of live sheep export.

Senator Faruqi said:

“Federal Labor should grow a spine and unequivocally recommit to this important policy, which they took to the last election. But it seems they can’t even do that.

The Greens will today outlined plans for a $15 billion “Made in Australia” Bank and manufacturing fund - bolstering Australia’s capacity to produce components needed for the transition to clean, cheap renewable energy.

Australian Greens Senator for WA Dorinda Cox will today be joined by Greens candidate for O’Connor Giz Watson in Kalgoorlie - a region with endless sunshine and huge potential as a renewable energy superhub.

The Greens have today launched a plan to protect lutruwita/Tasmania’s forests for future generations and for a safe climate, all while ensuring new job opportunities.

With states across Australia ending native logging, it’s clear the writing is on the wall for Tasmania’s native forest logging industry. The IPCC tells us our forests are the first line of defence against climate change and must be protected. Native forest logging is destroying biodiversity and undermining climate action, and consumers are waking up to the damage.

The Greens will today announce an investment in culturally appropriate healthcare for First Nations parents and babies, from pregnancy to early childhood, with a $144 million plan to fund five dedicated Birthing on Country/Birthing in our Community (BiOC) hubs across Australia.  

BiOC models integrate midwifery services and cultural knowledge, allowing First Nations women to give birth on Country, acknowledge connection to Country, and access healthcare that meets their social, emotional, cultural and health needs.

The Australian Greens say alarm bells are ringing over reports NSW will continue to allow the clearing of koala habitat under new rules for private landowners. 

Greens spokesperson for the environment, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, said outlawing the clearing of koala habitat with zero exceptions is the only way to save our iconic species.

“You can’t save koalas while continuing to wreck their homes. Unless we take urgent action to end clearing of critical habitat, they will be extinct in NSW by 2050.

The Greens welcome the comprehensive In One Generation report from the National Women’s Safety Alliance today, and are proud to support its 20 priority actions. The Greens are calling on all other parties to match their commitment to fully fund frontline services, eliminate violence against women and deliver economic security.