Greens Treasury spokesperson Senator Peter Whish-Wilson has called for big companies that are paying out dividends from their profits or buying back shares whilst on JobKeeper, to return the money and no longer be made eligible for the payment.

Senator Whish-Wilson has today written to Treasury proposing the change to JobKeeper eligibility.

"The fact that the average citizen right now is worried about job security and making ends meet, whilst large companies are getting Government hand-outs and buying up shares, is simply obscene.

Tasmanian Senator Peter Whish-Wilson has called for Tasmania to be included in the Federal Government's Paid Pandemic Leave scheme, with ABS data showing Tasmania has the highest percentage of employees without leave entitlements in the country.

Senator Whish-Wilson has today written to Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein asking him to request that the PM include Tasmania in the paid pandemic leave scheme, giving it the best chance to fight against COIVD-19.

Greens Healthy Oceans spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, says damning new research into the harmful impacts of seismic testing will be raised by a Senate inquiry next week.
 
The ABC reports that research conducted by Fishwell Consulting found catch rates for whiting were down by 99.5 per cent at Lakes Entrance where French company, CGG, are conducting a seismic survey for oil and gas.
 

Greens Healthy Oceans spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, comments on data released today revealing high numbers of threatened and protected species killed in New South Wales shark nets.

The Department of Primary Industries report details the latest annual figures for the NSW Shark Meshing Program 2019-20.

Witnesses today outlined their frustration with decades-long recycling policy failure in today’s hearing into the Packaging and Plastics Bill 2019.
 
Greens Waste and Recycling spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, tabled the bill last year where it was referred to an inquiry. This is the first hearing for the inquiry.
 
Senator Whish-Wilson said, “What we’ve heard loud and clear this morning  is that we need substantial action in tackling the recycling crisis in line with what we see from governments overseas.

Greens Waste and Recycling spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, comments on today's announcement of a 'Recycling Modernisation Plan,' highlighting yet another wasted opportunity to fix the recycling crisis as well as the plastics that are polluting our oceans.
 
Senator Whish-Wilson said, “After three years of sitting on its hands, the Government has finally moved to fix the recycling crisis - unfortunately, today's initiative just won't work.
 
“All the money in the world isn’t going to fix the waste crisis if we don’t improve the way we recycle.
 

Greens Healthy Oceans spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, welcomes the NSW Government’s investment in non-lethal shark mitigation measures announced today, but calls for the immediate removal of lethal shark nets. 
 
Senator Whish-Wilson said, “I’m disappointed that the NSW Government has chosen to continue its use of lethal shark nets. 
 
“There is no evidence that lethal methods make ocean-goers safe and are instead, designed to provide a false sense of security. If the NSW Government has evidence to the contrary, I would be very surprised.  
 

Senator Whish-Wilson today comments on breaking news that a whale and calf are currently caught in shark nets near the Gold Coast and calls on the Queensland Government to remove shark nets during whale migration season.
 
“Footage of the two trapped whales is sickening to watch.
 
“Just how much more distress must Australians experience as they watch from around the country and from their own beaches, until the Queensland Government puts a stop to a policy that doesn't work?

Today's big announcement by the Treasurer on tightening our foreign investment laws is more politics than policy, says Greens Treasury spokesperson Senator Peter Whish-Wilson. 

"On the surface of it, today's announcement is all about politics. The Treasurer is sending a message to the hard-line conservatives in his own party about cracking down on foreign investment, especially potential Chinese state-owned investment in Australia.

"The idea that somehow this is a significant reform or shift in our foreign investment laws is simply a beat-up of epic proportions. 

Greens Healthy Oceans spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson and Queensland Senator Larissa Waters have written to Mark Furner, Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, after media reports that a Queensland man is under investigation for releasing a whale calf entangled in a shark net at Burleigh Heads.

Senator Whish-Wilson said, "The man in question - dubbed 'Tinny Man' by locals - received a standing ovation from people watching from the shore who were frustrated and distressed at seeing nothing being done.