Responding to reports that the Abbott government may threaten to slash to research funding in a bid to advance its university cuts agenda, Australian Greens research spokesperson and Deputy Leader, Adam Bandt, said the Greens won’t give in to blackmail.

“If Tony Abbott threatens cuts to research funding, he will be met with the mother of all protests,” said Mr Bandt.

"Australia’s future depends on secure and adequate funding for research."

The government's plan to make the Medical Research Future Fund contingent on the GP payment dooms the fund to failure and an alternative strategy is needed, said Greens Deputy Leader and Finance and Research spokesperson, Adam Bandt.

"The Prime Minister and Finance Minister are dooming the Medical Research Future Fund to failure by linking it to the GP fee," said Mr Bandt.

"The GP co-payment won't pass Parliament, so the government needs a ‘Plan B' if it is serious about establishing the medical research fund."

Cuts to the CSIRO that will undermine research into the Ebola virus must be reversed, Greens Acting Leader Adam Bandt said today.

The Greens will move to reverse the cuts when Parliament resumes in less than two weeks.

The $111 million in CSIRO cuts will affect a number of infectious disease researchers at the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong, which is currently researching the deadly Ebola virus.

"Tony Abbott's Budget is toxic and these latest cuts to Australia's only facility for Ebola research show why," Mr Bandt said today.

The Australian Greens Spokesperson for Competition Policy, Small Business and Consumer Affairs, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson provides the following statement about Macquarie Equities Limited (MEL) writing to its clients about potential redress for flawed financial advice provided by Macquarie Private Wealth (MPW).

Greens spokesperson on Consumer Affairs, Competition Policy and Small Business, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson provides the following comments on today’s developments in the ongoing case between Coles Supermarkets and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

Senator Whish-Wilson said, “The bullying of producers and suppliers by the supermarket duopoly has to stop. It is unbelievable to think that even when Coles admits multiple examples of wrongdoing they still try and deny their role in a wider problem.

Greens spokesperson for Consumer Affairs, Competition Policy and Small Business responds to the Government’s cynical attempt to water down the Future of Financial Advice (FoFA) laws via regulation.

Senator Whish-Wilson said, “The Government waited until 2:30PM on the 30^th of June to release these wide-ranging and complex regulations about financial advice that come into effect tomorrow.

Greens spokesperson for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Small Business calls upon the Government to abandon their Future of Financial Advice(FoFA) law wind-back, in the face of damning criticism of the large financial services companies and the regulator from the ASIC Inquiry report.

Senator Whish-Wilson says, “The ASIC Inquiry showed that sections of the financial services industry, especially the large banks, need to dramatically improve their standards and culture, and that we have a regulator without teeth or resources.

Greens spokesperson for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Small Business congratulates the Senate Economic References Committee for their landmark report into the Performance of the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).

Senator Whish-Wilson said, “Senators from across the political spectrum have issued a unified call saying the corporate watchdog, ASIC, needs to be given more teeth to keep watch on white-collar crime and professional misconduct.

Australian Greens Leader and Tasmanian Senator Christine Milne says she firmly supports CSIRO workers who are stopping work today to protest job cuts in the Abbott government's brutal budget.

"It's no wonder Australia's scientists are up in arms and I'm glad that here in Hobart that they're prepared to speak out against this backward attack from a backward government on the research that's helping Australia address 21st Century challenges," Senator Milne said.

Greens Senator for Small Business, Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson is pleased to provide the following comments following the Greens’ successful bid to secure a Senate Inquiry into forestry Managed Investment Schemes.

 Senator Whish-Wilson said, “Today the Senate agreed to a Greens motion and voted to conduct an Inquiry into forestry Managed Investment Schemes (MIS).