The Australian Greens have announced a broad suite of amendments to the data retention regime being legislated by Tony Abbott and Bill Shorten.

"Our amendments address major privacy and security protections that are being stripped away by the Abbott/Shorten surveillance unity ticket," Senator Scott Ludlam, Greens communications spokesperson said.

"Authorities should need a warrant to access bulk metadata and that entire process should have proper, independent oversight. That's what the Greens will move in the Senate today.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (19:13): The Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Data Retention) Bill 2015 should not be passed. My colleagues Greens senators Scott Ludlam, Christine Milne and Penny Wright have set out a very clear case as to why this bill should not be passed. The way in which the Liberal, National and Labor parties have colluded to rush through parliament this bill, which creates the government's mass surveillance regime, is a disgrace. It is a result of an ugly backroom deal between these parties.

The proposed merger of two of Australia's last remaining independent Internet Service Providers will have a sharply negative impact on the level of competition in Australia's broadband market and must be opposed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

"I will be reminding the ACCC of its obligation to directly prohibit acquisitions which would be likely to have the effect of "substantially lessening competition in any market," Australian Greens Communications spokesman Senator Scott Ludlam said this morning.

Greens Queensland Senator Larissa Waters on Gladstone ABC outpost being cut:

“Before the election, Tony Abbott said there would be no cuts to the ABC and now we’re losing the Gladstone ABC office and locally based staff.

“The Capricornia community is copping the brunt of Tony Abbott’s latest broken promise.

“Local coverage is essential in allowing detailed, informed debate of issues that matter in the region and in acting as a platform for the rest of the world to hear about these stories.

Greens communications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam says the massive restructure to the ABC announced today by Mark Scott proves once and for all that the Abbott government simply cannot expect to cut $327 million from the broadcaster's budget and 400 jobs from its headcount and expect to avoid drastic changes to the ABC's capabilities.

Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Penny Wright says the closure of South Australian ABC TV production and outsourcing of administration would be a serious blow to the state and could cost up to 150 jobs in Adelaide.

“The government’s cuts to the ABC will decimate the Adelaide ABC workforce and will have serious flow on effects – especially for a smaller city like Adelaide where the job market is tight,” Senator Wright said.