Commenting on the release of the Government’s second Open Government National Action Plan, and on Labor’s comments about lobbying today, Australian Greens spokesperson on Democracy Senator Larissa Waters said: 

“The Government’s plan to think about having a plan will do nothing about the stranglehold big business has over our democracy.

“Australians feel like their needs and views don't matter, while they see big donors and lobbyists getting outcomes that suit the big end of town.

Big business is now running parliament and the Government is not even pretending to anymore, Greens Senator for Queensland and mining and resources spokesperson, Larissa Waters said.

“The Government has done another special deal for Adani in not making them comply with water laws,” she said.

“Adani has just gotten out of having to comply with water laws for a pipeline that will suck 12.5billion litres out of a river in a region that is crippled by drought.

The Greens will move to amend the Government’s bill introduced into the Lower House today for five days unpaid family and domestic violence leave, to give workers 10 days paid leave.

The Government must revoke Adani’s environmental approval to in light of serious allegations of environmental breaches, said Australian Greens Senator for Queensland, Larissa Waters

“Adani has shown complete disregard for environmental rules, here and overseas. How many more chances is the federal government going to give them?” said Senator Waters, Australian Greens spokesperson on mining and resources.

The Australian Greens today announced portfolio allocations for their Senators and MPs ahead of the upcoming Federal Election.

Australian Greens Leader Dr Richard Di Natale said a reallocation had occurred as a result of Mehreen Faruqi’s arrival in the Senate yesterday and Larissa Water’s imminent return.

“We’ve got to hold the big parties to account – and the Australian Greens Senate team will fight for the causes that matter to our community,” Dr Di Natale said.

“This new allocation of portfolios will make the most of each of our Senator’s strengths and passions."

Australian Greens Leader, Dr Richard Di Natale, has commended former Senators Larissa Waters and Scott Ludlam for their integrity following today’s High Court ruling on MPs citizenship.

“Larissa and Scott have acted honestly and with full accountability to the Australian people throughout this process.”

“When these issues first came to light, they did the honourable thing and resigned from the parliament. Larissa and Scott have shown respect for the constitution, for the parliament and most importantly, for the Australian people, and I respect them immensely for that.

It is with great shock and sadness that I have discovered that I hold dual citizenship of Australia and Canada. As people would know after the recent departure of my dear friend and former colleague Scott Ludlam, section 44 of the Australian constitution means I cannot hold office in the federal Parliament.

News that Caesars Entertainment who own more than 50 casinos across the world including Caesars Palace in Las Vegas has held talks with the backers of the proposed Spit mega-casino spit provoked a bewildering response from our Premier say the Australian Greens. 

"Annastacia Palaszczuk says she doesn’t want the Gold Coast to become a “casino city”," says Deputy Leader and spokesperson for gambling, Larissa Waters. 

"So why is her government proposing to destroy publicly owned green space for yet another casino?