I rise to give my condolences on the death of Queen Elizabeth the Second, and to extend my sympathies to her family and those who knew her personally.

Elizabeth Windsor became the Queen of Australia in 1952 and reigned for 70 years. During that time, extraordinary changes occurred in our nation, and in her empire. Many colonised nations sought and achieved independence, and many more signalled their intention to break from the United Kingdom.

The Greens will today announce key election policies, including a ‘billionaires tax’ to help fund genuinely free public schools, dental into Medicare and a job for everyone who wants one. 

With the party considering an election in November of this year still a possibility and a minority parliament the most likely outcome, Mr Bandt will push for a tax on billionaires & corporate super profits as part of dealings with a future shared power government.

The Greens today welcomed the announcement of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Victoria - a historical opportunity for First Nations people to tell the truth of the history of violent dispossession from their land.

After urging Treaty be put back on the national agenda as recently as her first speech to the Senate last week, Australian Greens First Nations spokesperson Senator Lidia Thorpe today welcomed a motion from Senator Dodson to establish a Joint Select Committee to inquire into and report on the truth telling and treaty making elements of Makarrata.

“This country needs truth-telling. We need justice. First Nations peoples have called for decades for a treaty to be realised in this country,” Senator Thorpe said today.

Gunnai and Gunditjmara woman, Senator Lidia Thorpe, is thrilled to have been handed the responsibility of the First Nations portfolio in the Greens reshuffle.

“I’m very proud to be the first Aboriginal Senator for Victoria and to take on the First Nations portfolio. There is so much work to be continued,” she said.

“I come from a long line of strong Aboriginal women who taught me to stand up for what’s right and to never let injustice and racism beat you down. If you want change, you have to fight for it.”