Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown and Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters spoke to reporters in Canberra today about the government's support for making the Great Barrier reef a rubbish dump and called for action in the public interest from the media inquiry report due out today.

The looming Cabinet reshuffle, including hopes for an effective environment minister, and the need to inform the public about the power of lobbyists were among other topics discussed.

Labor and the Coalition have blocked the Greens' move to reveal what assistance Lynas Corporation got for its rare earths plant in Malaysia, Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.

"Despite ongoing and passionate public protests in Malaysia, not least over the prospect of radioactive by-products, Australia's old parties have closed ranks and the government's files on this internationally contentious issue," Senator Brown said.

Senator Brown had moved:

That the Senate-

(a) notes:

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown joined Greens Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters in Gladstone today to see the environmental crisis in the harbour firsthand and listen to the concerns of the Gladstone community.

"I am very pleased to be back here, getting a firsthand account from Queensland's most engaged Senator, Larissa Waters. A vote for either of the old parties is a vote for this mess," Senator Brown said.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown and Greens Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters, alongside local Greens candidates Jonathon Dykyj and Luke Mathews, speak to reporters in Mackay about the coastal impacts of mining, the Great Barrier Reef, Google maps, and the ALP leadership saga.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown, part way through the Senate inquiry into the minerals resource rent tax, spoke to reporters in Canberra today, calling for the mining tax to be extended to gold and uranium.

The anniversary of the Christchurch earthquake, the Greens' move for a Senate inquiry into the draft Murray Darling Basin plan, equal marriage, nuclear submarines, and the Labor leadership saga were also discussed.

The Gillard government's proposed mining tax needs to be amended to include gold and uranium, if not all minerals, and the daft plan to refund royalties should be dropped, Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said in Canberra today.

"If you're going to have massive profits flowing offshore to foreign owners, why not divert a percentage to fund services that people need - now and into the future?

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown, speaking to reporters in Canberra this evening, urged Rob Oakeshott to honour all agreed aspects of the Multi Party Climate Change Committee agreement.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown, speaking to reporters in Canberra today, outlined the Greens' moves to seek better funding for dental care.

Senator Brown also called for the Syrian embassy in Canberra to be closed as it no longer represents the people of Syria. Other topics included the need for Senator Brandis to recuse himself from the Senate privileges committee; debate on the mining tax; government advertising; and Point Henry.

What a year to be Green!

Right from the start, 2011 has been a year of victory for the planet and for a more compassionate, equal Australia. Together we have achieved great things!