The Greens today are calling on the Government to ensure the UK-Australia free trade agreement upholds environmental standards, labour rights, human rights and includes a First Nations trade chapter.

Yamatji-Noongar woman and Greens spokesperson for Trade, Dorinda Cox said advancing human rights, protecting workers and our environment should be at the heart of how Australia engages in free trade agreements. 

After two years of consultation with First Nations leaders, the federal Government has released the Final Report on a proposal for an Indigenous Voice to parliament.

The following lines are attributable to Yamatji-Noongar Senator for WA, Dorinda Cox, acting Greens spokesperson for First Nations:

When First Nations people fight for Country, against dirty mining companies or corporate landowners with deep pockets, they’re often locked in a long, expensive and ultimately unfair legal battle.

The Greens have a plan to balance the scales, by making billionaires and big polluters pay their fair share of tax. Through a ‘billionaires tax’ and a ‘corporate super-profits tax,’ we can put resources towards an environmental and cultural heritage legal defence fund.

The Economic Empowerment Bill 2021 puts forward the most comprehensive changes in 45 years to the Australian Land Rights Act 1976. After successfully negotiating for the Bill to go to a full Inquiry, Senator Lidia Thorpe notes that 92% of submissions are against this bill.

“The Senate inquiry into the Bill has revealed a lack of consultation on this Bill and most stakeholders who gave evidence reject this Bill."

“Most submissions call for the Bill to be axed, it's telling that only the likes of the Mineral Council want this Bill to go ahead.”

Senator Lidia Thorpe: the Greens spokesperson for Justice, First Nations and Sport, will be returning to Gippsland for the campaign launch of Marjorie Thorpe.

Date: Friday November 19, 2021 
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 noon 
Address: Yallourn North & District Historical Society
12-16 Third St,
Yallourn North VIC 3825

The Australian Greens condemn the move by the Meeting of Attorneys General (MAG) towards raising the age of legal responsibility from 10 to 12 years of age. 

“The MAG announcement shows a deliberate disregard of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, medical evidence and First Nations advocates. The experts all agree: we need to raise the age of legal responsibility to 14.” Said the Greens spokesperson for Justice and First Nations, Senator Lidia Thorpe.

Gomeroi man, Stanley Russell, a father, was shot dead by NSW police. His brother, Eddie Russell, died in police custody in 1999. “Violence against First Nations people is a national crisis and the Morrison Government is doing nothing about it,” said Gunnai, Gunditjmara and DjabWurrung Senator for Victoria Lidia Thorpe.

The following lines are attributable to the Greens spokesperson for Justice and First Nations, Senator Lidia Thorpe:

“Mobilising the police and Australian Defence Force to treat a public health crisis is absurd,” said The Greens spokesperson for Justice and First Nations Senator Lidia Thorpe, as the ADF begins their deployment to Western Sydney. 

“Officers of the law are not experts in public health messaging, culturally accessible information and welfare support services that enable people to stay at home safely,” said Thorpe. Western Sydney has a significant First Nations and multicultural community. 

Thirty years since the final report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, Australia has yet to reckon with its history and the reality that Black Lives Matter.

George Floyd couldn’t breathe - and across the world, his death sparked a renewed conversation around racial injustice, justice systems and police reform.