Christian Porter’s resignation from the Ministry in the face of a Greens’ no confidence motion doesn’t end the mystery donation affair, with the Greens vowing to pursue the Prime Minister over his failure to act and to renew a push in Parliament to have the Greens’ federal ICAC bill - which has already passed the Senate - brought on for debate in the House of Representatives.

The Greens have today announced that in balance of power after the next election, they will push to
tackle the growing mental health crisis in Australia by making mental healthcare free and unlimited for
everyone who needs it as part of Medicare.

The plan, which will create universal, unlimited and available mental healthcare through Medicare, will
be funded by taxing billionaires and big corporations making big profits.

Our plan will ensure everyone can access mental healthcare, when they need it, not when they can
afford it.

With the confirmation of new Senator for Western Australia Dorinda Cox today, Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, has put the Greens on election footing with a reshuffle of the Greens’ ‘shadow Ministerial’ portfolios that prioritises the party’s key campaign areas and sets the party up for ‘balance of power’ negotiations in the likely event of a minority Parliament. 

Greens around the world have lambasted revelations that Australia has vetoed Paris Agreement climate goals being included in a trade agreement, and that the UK acceded to those demands. 

But it’s not just progressive voices: UK Tory Lord Deben, who heads up an independent climate advisory body, decried Australia as “one of the recalcitrant nations” on climate action.

With the UN calling for Australia to quit coal by 2030, but Rupert Murdoch officially moving only to ‘net zero by 2050’, the looming divide between climate activists and fossil fuel supporters is now clear, Greens Leader, Adam Bandt MP said, announcing the Greens will introduce a bill to phase out coal by 2030 to parliament, putting legislative action behind the UN’s demands. 

The Greens have today announced they will push for a new 40% corporate super-profits tax on the excess profits made by big corporations, including mining corporations, in the balance of power after the next election.

The Greens’ push for a ‘tycoon tax’ follows the announcement this week of record super-profits across retail and mining sectors, and National Account figures showing the profit share of national income at the highest (30.3%) since records began, eclipsing last year’s new record¹.

The Greens have welcomed the introduction of the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Bill 2021 and Offshore Electricity Infrastructure (Regulatory Levies) Bill 2021 as the beginning of Australia’s offshore wind industry.

However, given Angus Taylor’s hostility to climate action, and to ensure high standards of environmental and industrial protections are maintained, the Greens will refer the legislation to the the Environment and Communications Committee (with Sarah Hanson Young is Deputy Chair) to report by 14 October.

Dear Prime Minister

I write to request that the forthcoming National Cabinet meeting set additional national vaccination targets for First Nations people, people with disabilities and other at-risk groups as part of the National Plan.

The National Cabinet’s ‘reopening’ strategy envisages the substantial easing of restrictions when 80% vaccination rates are achieved. However, this is currently only 80% of the ‘eligible population’, defined as over 16 year olds, and it seems to permit easing of restrictions even if at-risk groups remain largely unvaccinated.

The Australian Greens have savaged Labor’s decision to vote with the Liberals today in the Senate to spend public money opening up massive gas fields in the Beetaloo Basin, saying the move raised questions as to whether Labor still believes the climate crisis is real.

If Labor had voted with the Greens and crossbench, the fund would have been abolished, given the numbers in the Senate. Labor is responsible for the continued existence of the $50 million Beetaloo Co-operative Drilling Program to open up new gas projects.

The Greens have reiterated their calls for at least 80% of the whole population, including kids, to be vaccinated before we can start lifting restrictions, writing to Scott Morrison urging National Cabinet this Friday to agree to include children in vaccination targets. 

Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP said:

“Scott Morrison’s plan will have kids leaving the cave and going straight to the ICU,” Mr Bandt said.