The Australian Greens would use a stronger voice in federal parliament to push for increased funding for dental health, including a universal 'denticare' scheme.

A national Galaxy poll of over 1000 people shows that 82% of Australians would support the federal government establishing a universal dental-care scheme.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown, who will visit a suburban dental clinic in Sydney today, said that the Greens denticare system would help the 500,000+ Australians on dental waiting lists.

The Australian Greens have called for a levy on junk food and alcohol advertising similar to the levy which has applied in France since 2004.

Launching the policy with Victorian Greens Senate candidate, Dr Richard di Natale in Melbourne today, Greens leader Bob Brown said the advertisers could choose the option of including health information in their advertising or pay the levy.

At this National Press Club I acknowledge the traditional owners of the Canberra region and all the Indigenous people of our nation.

This year will be another milestone in politics for the Australian Greens. The sole balance of power in the Senate and a breakthrough into the House of Representatives are both within reach. Australia's voters are looking for more progressive politics and the stable, experienced leadership which we alone have produced over the past three turbulent years in Canberra.

The Australian Greens are calling on the Federal Government to immediately ban Bisphenol A (BPA) for use in all baby products as our food regulators can not guarantee the safety of such products.

"The Government is potentially exposing Australian babies to unnecessary harm by leaving products containing BPA on supermarket shelves," said Australian Greens Health spokesperson, Senator Rachel Siewert.

"Australia's food regulator, FSANZ, should be taking this issue much more seriously.

Senator Bob Brown discusses the 2010/11 Federal Budget with ABC Radio National's Fran Kelly

Greens Leader Bob Brown has called on the government to back the Greens' plans to tackle junk food advertising, following a call from public health advocates to impose a levy on the adverts.

"The Greens are prepared to take strong action but the fast-food industry is currently in control of government policy," Senator Brown said.

"The industry continues to offer voluntary measures as a way of shifting their advertising and promotion, with zero reduced impact.

Having previously opposed the Medicare Levy Surcharge, the Greens have now decided to support both it and the Private Health Insurance Rebate legislation.

The Greens will support the legislation which would see $1.9 billion directed to public hospitals, despite the Government rejecting a proposal that would have given a $145 million boost to early intervention mental health services.

The Australian Greens have repeated their call for an end to junk food advertising to children, following the release today of a report showing that $300 million would be saved every year by taking this sensible step, Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.

"This research by Deakin University confirms once again, that junk food advertising to children is a major cause of childhood obesity and adult sickness that is huge cost on our health system and the health and wellbeing of our community," Senator Brown said.