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.

Greens Healthy Oceans spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, urges the Federal Government to end exemptions granted to state governments that allow them to conduct trials of lethal shark control measures after a humpback whale was entangled in a shark net off the Queensland coast earlier today. 
 
Senator Whish-Wilson said, "Lethal shark measures are indiscriminate killers and weapons of mass destruction to protected marine life. This morning’s whale entanglement is yet more sobering evidence of this.”
 

Young people will be guaranteed a job, secure income, and free education under a new Greens recovery plan to restart the economy and build ‘a better normal’ after the coronavirus economic shock.

The vision for a debt-financed recovery reaffirms the government’s role in responding to the crisis, and rejects the austerity approaches offered by the Liberal and Labor parties, charting a course for a government-led recovery that extends Australia’s world-class social services, instead of slashing funding for education, healthcare, and the environment.

Greens treasury spokesperson Senator Peter Whish-Wilson calls for the banking royal commission’s legislation to go before Parliament, warning pushed-back dates could lead to years in delay for crucial banking reform. 
 
“I’m disappointed that the Government has chosen to delay the legislation coming before Parliament for a vote. 
 
“The option is there to delay implementation start dates, but to delay the legislation altogether is overreach.
 
“I call on the Government to bring this to Parliament as planned.
 

Today's Federal announcement of the Antarctic Science Strategic Plan continues the Government's blind approach to Antarctic science funding through infrastructure, but neglects the very programs and livelihoods that this infrastructure is supposed to support.

Tasmanian Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said, "Aerodromes and runways and boats are nothing if there aren't the scientists, researchers, skippers and pilots to occupy them.

"They are meaningless if there isn't long-term research funding certainty to underwrite our future presence in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean.

Tasmanian Senator Peter Whish-Wilson and Greens' spokesperson for science, research and innovation, Senator Janet Rice comment on today’s ARC announcement of $56m in funding for Antarctic science.  

Senator Whish-Wilson said, "Whilst any new funding for Antarctic, Southern Ocean and climate science is welcome, today’s ARC funding announcement has dudded Tasmania as Australia’s Antarctic gateway, and presents significant uncertainties for Tasmanian scientists, their communities and our economy going forward. 

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: