Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown, speaking in the Senate today, asks the Government if it is aware of Egyptian Vice President General Omar Suleiman’s reputation as a torturer and a murderer. 

Senator Brown also asks whether the Australian Government or members of its intelligence service have met General Suleiman and whether there was involvement in the illegal detention of Australian citizen Mr Mamdouh Habib in Egypt. 

Graeme Wood is the face of business that can give Australia a world lead in an age of dangerous climate change, forest destruction and loss of biodiversity, Greens Leader Bob Brown said in Hobart today.

"Graeme is an extremely thoughtful and long-sighted character whose sheer common sense has led him to success in business as well as becoming a leader in ecological wisdom in an age where that is badly needed," Senator Brown said.

Greens Leader Bob Brown said today his aim is to give Australia progressive and prosperous governance in 2011, beginning with work towards a Gillard government carbon price to tackle global warming, stimulate the economy and generate new business opportunities.

"Amid more extreme weather events, which are occurring more frequently, the new year gives Australians a chance to think beyond ‘sides' and embrace effective, innovative and green ways of building a future for the developed economy that is most at risk from global warming," Senator Brown said.

With the likelihood of a Baillieu government, the Greens' vote strengthened  yesterday as Labor's collapsed, Greens Leader Bob Brown said in Melbourne today.

"Had Labor not pressured the Liberals to preference Labor ahead of the Greens, we would have won three seats - Melbourne, Richmond and Brunswick, and gone close in Northcote," Senator Brown said.

"The Greens, nationally, will consider open tickets to remove preferences in future - that would leave voters to make the preferences of their own choice.

A new Galaxy Poll commissioned by Senator Bob Brown has revealed overwhelming disapproval by voters of major party tactics to shut out the Greens and other parties with colluding preference deals. 

The national poll of 1066 people taken between November 19-21 shows 63% of voters disapprove when asked their opinion of one major party, such as Labor or Liberal, directing preferences to the other major party, to prevent any candidate other than Labor or Liberal from winning the seat.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown has vowed to again bring on debate early next year for his bill on the rights of Australian Territories to legislate for euthanasia laws if they wish.  

The Coalition and Senator Fielding combined this morning to block resumption of debate on the bill, which commenced in the Senate last sitting. 

"Territorians deserve the same rights as other Australians," said Senator Brown.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown says today's Senate debate on his private member's bill to restore territory rights on voluntary euthanasia is indicating a positive outcome.

"While four of the seven senators who indicated a position favoured the bill, the three opponents relied on their opposition to euthanasia and ignored the bill's democratic imperative.

"I expect doctrinaire anti-euthanasia arguments, but the argument for restoring territory rights is compelling and will win out," Senator Brown said.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown will use the first extended private members time in the new Parliament to re-introduce a bill to extend Territory rights and legalise euthanasia.

Senator Brown first moved the Restoring Territory Rights (Voluntary Euthanasia Legislation) in 2008.

The bill would restore the right of Territory Parliaments to pass laws that would allow terminally ill people to choose a death with dignity.

This right was taken away under the Howard Government.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown will use the first extended private members time in the new Parliament to re-introduce a bill to extend Territory rights and legalise euthanasia.

Senator Brown first moved the Restoring Territory Rights (Voluntary Euthanasia Legislation) in 2008.

"My bill would restore the right of Territory Parliaments to pass laws that would allow terminally ill people to choose a death with dignity," said Senator Brown.

"This right was taken away under the Howard Government.