Greens Deputy Leader Adam Bandt says the Greens will fight cuts to science and research in the Budget. Mr Bandt also said the Greens would fight any attempt by Tony Abbott to blackmail the Parliament with false claims about a multi-billion medical research fund and that of the proposed $7 GP fee, only 17c would go to medical research.

"Half a billion dollars in cuts to CSIRO and other research programs will hurt the economy," Mr Bandt said today.

Greens Deputy Leader and Science spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said that Tony Abbott is a threat to Australia’s prosperity. 

“If Tony Abbott’s Commission of Audit is a front for cuts to CSIRO’s budget of 15-20%, as CSIRO believes, Australia’s prosperity will suffer,” said Mr Bandt. 

“Australia depends on research and research depends on secure, long-term funding. 

Greens Deputy Leader and Science & Research spokesperson Adam Bandt MP and Higher Education spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon, today said the Education Minister, Christopher Pyne, needs to Keep It Clever. 

“Mr Pyne appears to be suffering a case of cognitive dissonance,” said Mr Bandt. 

Greens Deputy Leader and Science & Research spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said that the higher education sector was giving Tony Abbott a clear message in the run up to the Budget. 

“It is fantastic news that Universities Australia is today launching a campaign, called ‘Keep It Clever’, said Mr Bandt. 

“The message is that if you cut funding to higher education and research, you cut Australia’s wellbeing and future prospects. 

Greens Deputy Leader, Adam Bandt MP, today welcomed the Senate’s support for research funding. 

“It’s great news that the Senate has today passed the Greens’ motion calling for the Government to respect research by lifting research funding and not cutting it in the forthcoming Budget. 

“In the lead-up to the Budget, the Senate has thrown down the gauntlet and put the Abbott Government on notice that any moves to cut research funding won’t have the Parliament’s support.

Greens Deputy Leader, Adam Bandt MP, today welcomed the Senate’s support for research funding. 

“It’s great news that the Senate has today passed the Greens’ motion calling for the Government to respect research by lifting research funding and not cutting it in the forthcoming Budget. 

“In the lead-up to the Budget, the Senate has thrown down the gauntlet and put the Abbott Government on notice that any moves to cut research funding won’t have the Parliament’s support.

Tony Abbott has killed the auto industry and jeopardised Australia's clean energy future, Greens Deputy Leader and industry spokesperson Adam Bandt MP said today.

Toyota has reportedly announced it will end the production of cars in Australia from 2017.

"Successive governments have failed to make auto manufacturing sustainable, but Tony Abbott was the final nail in the auto industry's coffin," said Mr Bandt.

Greens Deputy Leader Adam Bandt has called on the Abbott government to reject the recommendations of a Productivity Commission paper on government assistance to car makers released today.

The Greens are prepared to see industry assistance continue but on the condition that the industry transition to cleaner and electric vehicles and component manufacturing.

"This is a recipe for carmageddon for the Australian auto industry. The government should reject it," Mr Bandt said.

Greens Acting Leader, Adam Bandt says he is gravely concerned about reports that almost a quarter of CSIRO jobs are under threat from the government's public service freeze.

Mr Bandt said CSIRO cuts would amount to economic vandalism and again prove the anti-science bias of the government.

"Once again we see the anti-science bias of this government on display," Mr Bandt said.

"Tony Abbott is again acting like a Luddite. In the absence of a Science Minister, Tony Abbott needs to urgently clarify what he is going to do to reverse this decision."

The Australian Greens today reaffirmed their support for penalty rates and pledged to oppose any changes from a future Abbott government.

Greens Deputy Leader and industrial relations spokesperson, Adam Bandt, said the Greens were a vital line of defence against any Abbott-led attacks on people's rights at work.

"As the Greens have repeatedly said, penalty rates are a recognition of the unsociable hours that many people work," said Mr Bandt.

"Many people, especially young workers, rely on penalty rates to earn a living wage," Mr Bandt concluded.