Greens Deputy Leader Adam Bandt has welcomed the House of Representatives’ support for his motion declaring that the rate of Newstart is too low.

Mr Bandt says the government should now revisit its decision not to increase Newstart in the Budget.

“If we want a more caring society where we lift people out of poverty traps, the government must increase the dole”, Mr Bandt said.

“Today’s vote will give greater strength to the Greens, community and business groups that are campaigning for a $50 a week increase in Newstart.”

Greens Deputy Leader and Federal Member for Melbourne Adam Bandt MP has called on Labor to work with the Greens to “Abbott-proof” the $3 billion in funding for Melbourne Metro announced last night.

Mr Bandt’s  Infrastructure (Priority Funding) Amendment Bill 2013 amends the Infrastructure Australia Act 2008 to require the Commonwealth to prioritise federal funding of rail projects already on the National Priority List, such as the Melbourne Metro, ahead of any new major metropolitan road projects such as the East West tunnel.

Christine Milne and Adam Bandt held a joint press conference in Hobart to mark the one year anniversary of Christine Milne's leaderwhip and Adam Bandt as Deputy Leader

Greens Leader Christine Milne and Deputy Leader Adam Bandt commented on the Labor leadership spill.

Please also see earlier statement on the spill http://greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/factional-fighting-overshadows-importance-apology-and-undermines-progressive- 

Greens Deputy Leader Adam Bandt speaking to the media highlighted that Labor turned its back on single parents and caused a lot of harm for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Adam and The Greens are standing up for single parents and pressing the government to undo the harm they've caused.

Christine Milne and Adam Bandt outlined a new Greens push to amend depreciation loopholes in the mining tax. Adam Bandt commented on the Greens-Coalition motion on protecting science and research funding in the Budget that passed the House today and Senator Milne also commented on Prisoner X.

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Subjects: Mining tax, science and research funding, Prisoner X, Treaty for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

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Subjects: Mining tax, life-work balance, coal and coal seam gas mining

Subjects: Mining tax

Acting Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, outlined the Greens' plans for the New Year today as he marked the eve of cuts to single parents' payments.

"The old parties' New Year's resolutions will ring hollow unless they are willing to face up to Australia's looming revenue challenge," said Mr Bandt.

"In 2013, the Greens want government to do its job of looking after people and the environment, and that means standing up to big business and the wealthy.