The stimulus package outlined by the Prime Minister this morning falls far short of what the experts say is needed to weather the economic storm caused by the Coronavirus pandemic and does little to stem the crisis facing people on Newstart & Youth Allowance as well as the 3.5 million casual workers in Australia, said Leader of The Australian Greens Adam Bandt, MP.

The Greens will move to expand the package when it reaches the Senate to lift Newstart & Youth Allowance as well as provide 14 days’ paid coronavirus sick leave to all workers, including casual workers.

Greens Treasury spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, and leader, Adam Bandt MP, called on the government to respond to today’s interest rate cut with stimulus spending, including for transformative infrastructure.

Senator Whish-Wilson said "this government must overcome seven years of surplus mania.

"We have the triple whammy of COVID-19, secular stagnation and a climate emergency, including recent bushfires.

"The government must use the latest record low interest rates and undertake stimulus spending.

Greens MPs have used the Federal Parliament to demand justice for Julian Assange, as his extradition hearing begins in London.

In the House of Representatives today, Greens Leader Adam Bandt has called for Mr Assange to be brought back to Australia, while in the Senate, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson today questioned the government and yesterday moved a motion urging the Parliament not to be silent on the criminalisation of journalistic activity.

Quotes attributable to Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP:

Greens’ Treasury spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, responded today to the release of the Mid-Year Economic Forecast and Outlook (MYEFO).

“Today’s MYEFO has confirmed that Scott Morrison is not interested in governing.

“In the face of unheralded economic conditions and a climate emergency, the government is running idle.

“Interest rates are at record lows. Wages, productivity and spending are all in a slump. The enormity of the climate crisis is dawning on the nation.

Yesterday the senate supported a motion by Greens’ Healthy Oceans spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, to establish an inquiry into the impact of seismic testing on fisheries and the marine environment.

“This is an emerging issue that has united environmentalists and fishers.

“Oil and gas cannot be allowed to take over our oceans.

“We are facing a climate emergency that threatens the entire marine ecosystem.

Australian Greens' Treasury spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, commented on today's economic results.

“Josh Frydenberg must today ditch the aim of paying down government debt.

“Money has never been cheaper. The economy has got the wobbles. The RBA is screaming for the government to act.

Tasmanian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson commented on the defeat in the senate today of a motion calling on the Treasurer to put additional conditions on the approval of the sale of VDL diary to Moon Lake.

“Our foreign investment laws aren’t worth the paper they are written on if the government can’t monitor, audit or enforce undertakings made by foreign purchases of agricultural land or iconic businesses.

“If any investor fails to meet undertakings given at purchase and these undertakings won’t be enforced by our government, our laws are failing the national interest.

Tasmanian Greens Senator and Greens’ Healthy Oceans spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, responded to the release today of the findings of a study by IMAS scientists on the impact of seismic testing on rock lobsters.

Senator Whish-Wilson said, “This new research provides solid evidence of the harm seismic testing is likely to be causing to an important Tasmanian industry.

“The study found that seismic air guns damage rock lobsters’ ‘inner ear’, and that this damage is most likely permanent.

Statement from Australian Greens Whip Sen. Rachel Siewert:

Today the Australian Greens Party Room met and re-affirmed the positions of our leadership team.

Following a customary spill of the leadership positions, the roles of Leader, Co-Deputy Leader and Whip have all been returned without challenge. The rotating position of Party Room Chair has moved from Adam Bandt MP to Sen. Janet Rice.

The leadership roles for the 46th Parliament are as follows: