Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown has requested the Senate Economics Committee to call Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens and RBA contractors next week to answer allegations of foreign bribery by agents of Securancy, Australia's note-printing company - to be aired on ABC TV's 4 Corners tonight.

"And I call on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to stop blocking repeated Greens' moves for parliamentary scrutiny of these serious allegations. The parliamentary cover-up by Canberra should end," Senator Brown said.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown says allegations that Ryan MHR Michael Johnson is under investigation for business dealings with China underscore the need for Labor and the Coalition to back Greens' legislation for a federal Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

The legislation will be presented to the Senate in June.

"Members of Parliament have a special obligation to be open and transparent in their business dealings and to clearly separate their public status and office from those dealings.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown says that the Greens will renew their recent attempts to legislate for truth in political advertising.

“We will move amendments to the Electoral Act when the Senate resumes to at least require honesty in scripted ads,” said Senator Brown.

The amendments to the Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Close of Rolls and Other Measures) Bill 2010 will be moved when the Senate resumes in June.

“The new Abbott line that politicians cannot be believed in what they say is simply unacceptable,” said Senator Brown.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown says Liberal Party Leader Tony Abbott's new election campaign television advertisement is xenophobic.

The advertisement promises action on ‘illegals', singling out the nations of Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq.

"This campaign is xenophobic," said Senator Brown.

"It's a sign of things to come in the election campaign from the Coalition.

"It is not illegal for people to seek asylum.

"Mr Abbott is suggesting that Australia renege on its obligations under the UN convention on refugees.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown says he backs, one hundred per cent, Tasmanian Greens Leader Nick McKim and his colleagues in their decisions.

"Nick was the only leader who did not paint himself, or Tasmania, into a pre-election corner," said Senator Brown.

"When asked by the Governor if he could form a government, Will Hodgman did not reach out to work on majority government with the Greens.

"The Liberal door was shut.

"That was Will Hodgman's team's decision, but it let Tasmanian voters down badly.

Australian Greens leader Bob Brown will move amendments to electoral laws to prevent handing out of how-to-vote cards at federal elections.

"Action to stop misleading information from being given to voters at elections is needed urgently before the next federal election," said Senator Brown.

"Voters do not need to be harassed as they approach polling places on election-day.

"Similar bans already exist for state elections in Tasmania and the ACT.

The obvious question facing Tasmania's 25 newly elected members of the House of Assembly is how to give Tasmania its best possible government for the next four years.
All 25 want Tasmania to prosper. All 25 want to enhance its environment and lifestyle. All 25 want to work for better health, education, policing, transport and housing. The differences are of degree or priority and these would be best sorted out in a cabinet most widely representing all 25.