Greens deliver stable, top-level representation

While the Gillard Labor government continues to short-change Tasmania, both the Australian Greens' leader and deputy leader are Tasmanian.

"Nationwide, Australians can look forward to continued effective representation by the Greens whether it's seeking a fairer tax burden for big corporations to fund health, education, public transport or clean energy technologies and national dental health care," Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said in Hobart today.

"While the Prime Minister leaves Tasmania out of the inner circle, the Greens give Tasmania the assurance of top-level representation in Canberra for many years to come," Senator Brown said. "That said, I congratulate Julie Collins and look forward to working with her."

"The Greens' success with a carbon price alone guarantees Tasmania, with its abundant renewable energy, will see millions of dollars flowing south over Bass Strait, thanks to the Greens, in coming decades.

"The Australian Greens' party room is very content with the distribution of portfolios, covering all key issues."

Spokesperson for Legal Affairs, Penny Wright, congratulated incoming Attorney General Nicola Roxon on her new role and said she hoped as the first female to take on the job, Minister Roxon would continue her predecessor's work of making Australia's anti-discrimination laws compliant with its international human rights obligations.

"Discrimination is still a reality for many Australians and we need to ensure that our law is consistent and provides real equality for all Australians," Senator Wright said.

Member for Melbourne Adam Bandt said he was pleased that flexibility and job security for workers was now front and centre.

"The Greens have been pushing for some time to get more flexible hours at work. The challenge for Mr Shorten will be matching the rhetoric of flexibility to real and concrete improvement in working people's lives. We want to see existing flexible arrangements extending to all workers. Parents and carers, in particular need to get mandated rights to flexible hours," Mr Bandt said.

"I will be also seeking support from Mr Shorten for the Greens' Fair Work (Job Security and Fairer Bargaining) Amendment Bill 2011 which will put job security at the heart of the Fair Work Act," Mr Bandt said.