Only the Greens stand in the way of Tony Abbott gaining absolute power of the parliament, Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne said in Canberra today.

"I'm here today with all of the Greens' lead candidates to deliver the strong message that a vote for the Greens is a vote against Tony Abbott controlling the parliament."

The Australian Greens today have called on Labor and the Coalition to support changes to food labelling laws in the wake of concerns Simplot could close facilities in both Tasmania and NSW due to falling profits.

"We know consumers want to support Australian farmers and producers but the current food labelling rules are just too confusing," said Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, spokesperson for trade and competition policy.

"A vital step the old parties can take to support our producers and food industry is to back a Greens Bill to change food labelling laws.

The Australian Greens Spokesperson on Tasmanian Marine Issues and Tourism, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, today expressed sadness and outrage at the latest incident apparently involving the illegal slaughter of protected New Zealand fur seals in Tasmania.

"As a surfer and passionate advocate of Tasmania's wild coasts and oceans I was both sad and outraged at this news," Senator Whish-Wilson said.

On the day Senator Abetz and the Coalition voted against upholding the principle that areas listed as world heritage should never be logged, the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries made extraordinary claims about the Tasmanian contractors exit grants, Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne said.

Tasmanians have been left feeling disappointed and excluded from last night's federal budget, the Australian Greens said today.

"Labor has let Tasmanians down with a budget that slashes university funding and renewable energy investment and fails to care for single parents and the unemployed," Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne said.

"This budget misses opportunities to fund research and innovation, support small businesses, strengthen the agriculture sector or invest in Hobart light rail.

Australian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson has welcomed the statement from the Metropolitan Councils Group (MCG) on Bass Strait being incorporated into the National Highway.

"I note that MCG have called on the Australian Government to give this matter urgent and comprehensive consideration - this is exactly what the Australian Greens are doing through the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO)," Senator Whish-Wilson said.

Listen to Peter talking with Damien Brown from ABC Radio, Northern Tasmania on the potential impacts of a historic forest peace agreement in Tasmania.

Listen to the full interviews on the ABC radio website.

The Australian Greens have challenged the Federal Liberal Party to detail its plans to grow the Tasmanian economy following the leaking of their proposal for a Northern Australian economic zone.

Tasmanian Senator Peter Whish-Wilson stated it was becoming increasing clear the Liberals hadn’t given any serious consideration to the issues facing the State’s economy.