Senator Rachel Siewert

The Australian Greens today condemned the Government's move to commence welfare quarantining trials in Cannington and the Kimberley in Western Australia.

Plans to restrict the use of local Indigenous languages in Northern Territory schools are a backwards step, said the Australian Greens today.

"It is clear there is a huge amount of concern over English literacy in the Northern Territory, but we need to ensure there is a
researched-based reason for any radical changes to the curriculum, particularly when it comes to language," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

"What we need is evidence based policy that works towards creating better education methods for our children. We know that to engage kids with education, schools need to be accessible, culturally appropriate and meet kids' needs. These changes don't do this."

The Australian Greens today joined calls for a long term nationally funded skin cancer prevention campaign, supporting the Cancer Council of Australia's campaign. 

The Australian Greens today called for immediate action from the
Australian Government on whaling, following reports that the Japanese
whaling fleet left port yesterday.

"The Government's commitment to funding non-lethal whaling research
mustn't stop them preparing for immediate action during the upcoming
whaling season," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

The Rudd Government's plans for industrial relations reform are nothing more than Work Choices Lite, the Australian Greens said today.

The Australian Greens today expressed concern about the Government's Commonwealth Water Act, saying there is a need for further work in the detail.

"The Greens are concerned that this legislation will not deliver the reform needed to solve the Murray-Darling water crisis," said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

The Australian Greens today called on the Government to withdraw the School Requirements Bill, saying that it is poor legislation, lacks an evidence base and contradicts the Governments social inclusion agenda.

Today, Senator Siewert told stories of women workers currently finding life very difficult under Work Choices and wondering what their working lives will be like under Forward with Fairness.

The Rudd Government needs to significant increase funding for Indigenous health if we are to have chance of to Closing the Gap, said the Australian Greens today.

The Australian Greens today voiced their concerns over the future state of industrial relations in Western Australia, after comments from WA Treasurer Troy Buswell that the state system would be overhauled.