Students, families and community members will rally at East Brisbane State School this morning to fight for the future of their school, under threat from plans to demolish and rebuild the Gabba stadium for the Olympics. 

Supporters will link arms around the school before the bell this morning to tell Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Federal Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King not to demolish their school for the sake of a two week sporting event.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ revelations that the cost of the Stage 3 tax cuts for CEOs, politicians and billionaires has surged over a quarter of a trillion dollars is further confirmation they should be scrapped, the Greens say.

“$254 billion is a staggering amount of money that would be far better spent putting mental and dental health into Medicare, wiping student debt and making childcare free,” Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

Today’s announcement on Marinus Link raises far more questions than answers on what was already a dubious project, the Greens say.

Comments from Tasmanian Greens Energy spokesperson Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP:

 “Tasmanians have a right to know what impact Marinus would have on people’s energy bills, as well as what thesubsequent debt would mean for the state.”

The landmark Green Economy Agreement (GEA) between Australia and Singapore may be the beginnings of an earnest move towards decarbonising the country.

Lines attributable to Greens spokesperson for Trade, Yamatji-Noongar Woman Senator Dorinda Cox:

“I welcome Australia’s new trade agreement with Singapore and look forward to the opportunity of strengthening Indigenous diplomacy between our two countries.

The Senate Select Committee on Work and Care, Chaired by Greens Senator Barbara Pocock, has today released its interim majority report. Evidence from months of hearings and over 100 submissions showed the reforms needed for working carers are so urgent that the committee has released immediate recommendations ahead of the final report.

The Australian Government will partner with the Northern Territory Government to build a jetty to facilitate the transport of goods and services in and out of the Middle Arm precinct. 

Yesterday on ABC’s Insiders, Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, announced the Middle Arm project will not be used as defence infrastructure and will not receive any additional Federal funding. 

Lines attributable to Greens spokesperson for resources, Yamatji-Noongar Woman Senator Dorinda Cox:

A new report calling for a bank of centralised lesson plans for teachers is a one-size-fits-all solution that undermines teacher expertise and will lead to worse student outcomes, the Greens say.

Comments attributable to Greens spokesperson on schools, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“Lesson planning is at the core of the work teachers do. Outsourcing it to the government or the private sector undermines that work and will produce worse outcomes for students.

The Greens welcome the release of the new National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032, but without additional funding or meaningful targets the ambitious plan is just words. 

Lines attributable to Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson for Women, Senator Larissa Waters

“The Greens have been fighting hard for progress on a National Plan for decades alongside victim-survivors, activists and women’s organisations.

The Greens welcome the Albanese government's announcement to extend Paid Parental Leave (PPL) to 26 weeks with shared care, but will continue to call on the government to increase it to be paid at a replacement wage, with super, and immediately.

Lines attributable to Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters