The Australian Greens remain deeply concerned at the recent crackdown on dissent in Iran, with official reports of at least 22 protesters killed and more than 1,000 Iranians detained.

Lines attributable to Greens leader in the senate and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters

The Greens will introduce the Fairer Paid Parental Leave Bill to deliver 26 weeks of paid leave paid at replacement wage capped, with super paid on leave, and ‘use it or lose it’ incentives for partners to encourage shared parenting.

Lines attributable to Greens leader in the senate and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters 

“Fairer paid parental leave is a no-brainer that benefits everyone - parents, children and the economy. And if we scrap the Stage 3 tax cuts, we can easily afford it.

The Greens welcome the joint agreement of business groups and unions, and support the ACTU and Business Council of Australia in urging the government to expand paid parental leave to 26 weeks.

The Greens’ PPL plan called for 26 weeks with payments that match salaries up to $100k pa, super paid on leave, and ‘use it or lose it’ incentives built in to encourage shared parenting, and we’re glad to see these groups coming onboard.

On Equal Pay Day the Greens have called on the new government to redress 9 years of inaction on gender equality, and act immediately to close the gender pay gap, starting with free childcare and raising pay in the highly feminised workforce in our care economy.

Lines attributable to Senator Larissa Waters, Greens Leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women

“Today marks the 60 extra days women need to work, on average, to earn the equivalent salary to men.

After the tenth whale has today been entangled in Queensland shark nets, the Greens are again calling on the state government for an urgent review of Queensland’s system of shark nets and drum lines.

Lines attributable to Senator Larissa Waters, Greens leader in the Senate

"Nets and drumlines are indiscriminate killers of protected wildlife, and the evidence shows non-lethal measures are more effective at protecting swimmers.

The Greens welcome the introduction of laws making 10 days paid domestic and family violence leave available to all employees, but have called on Labor to address other significant barriers for women and children escaping abusive relationships.

“The Greens have been calling for paid domestic and family violence leave for many years, echoing calls from the women’s safety sector and unions. We are pleased to see progress on this important issue,” says Greens Leader in the Senate and spokesperson on women, Senator Larissa Waters.   

Responding to comments by Anthony Albanese today around abortion, Greens spokesperson on Women Senator Larissa Waters said:
 
“I urge the Prime Minister to rethink his hasty dismissal of Labor’s 2019 position of requiring public hospitals to provide abortion services as a prequisute for Commonwealth funding.

“Abortions should be available through the public health system, and Albanese has the power to deliver that through using the federal funding lever. He shouldn’t avoid responsibility for it as he sought to do today.

With the Grattan Institute today revealing that at least one in five government board appointments are being gifted to political mates, the Greens say it’s time to talk about how political appointments are undermining democracy. 

Lines attributable to Senator Larissa Waters, Greens Leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Democracy:

“People are fed up with the jobs-for-the-boys mentality that so typified the Morrison Government - and they want better from the Albanese Government.

The Australian Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, has announced the party’s updated portfolio allocation for the upcoming 47th Parliament, ahead of the first sittings in July.

Presented to yesterday evening’s Party Room, the new allocation gives newly elected MPs and Senators the power to progress the issues they were elected to advance, while recognising the years of experience behind the Greens existing portfolio holders.