Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown has had further discussions with senior officials of the Gillard Government in pursuit of freight equalisation, seeking practical measures to aid Tasmanian businesses in response to concerns brought to his attention by business owners.

"The Greens, in response to business owners, have proposed that the federal Government equalise freight and passenger subsidies for Bass Strait to link Tasmania to the national highway system," Senator Brown said today in Canberra.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown has talked to Treasurer Wayne Swan about a proposal from Tasmanian businesses to equalise freight and passenger subsidies for Bass Strait to link Tasmania to the national highway system.

"I passed on a summary of the proposal to the Treasurer for consideration during a meeting this week in Canberra," Senator Brown said today.

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Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce withheld his option to lockout Qantas staff from the Government and Prime Minister although he had considered it "for weeks", Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown spoke to Ross Solly on 666ABC radio today after legislation which ensures the democratic rights of territory citizens won't be overturned at the whim of a federal minister passed federal parliament last night, the first Greens bill to become law.

Other topics included asylum seekers, Qantas and the Coalition, the delinking of the government's proposed tax break for big business from the watered-down mining tax legislation, and coal seam gas.

Australian Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown spoke to reporters at Senate doors today about the decoupling of legislation for the 1% tax break for big business from the government's watered down mining tax, and the Greens' policy to scrap the tax break for big business and instead give a 5% reduction to small business.

Other issues covered including support for the the Robin Hood tax and Qantas CEO Alan Joyce's appearance in front of the Senate Rural Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee coming up on Friday.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown and mining spokesperson Larissa Waters spoke to reporters in Canberra today about coal seam gas and water security. Other issues included Qantas, mining tax legislation, and Australia's vote against UNESCO's recognition of Palestine as an independent state.

Senator Waters will introduce a bill into the Senate today to protect the nation's water resources from mining, including coal seam gas.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said today the Government should ensure Qantas' plans to operate offshore under a different name, and employ cheap labour, are not in breach of the Qantas Sale Act 1992.

"The Greens will hold the Government to its promise made today in the Senate, in response to a question to Senator Evans, to subject Qantas to monitoring to ensure it is aware of its legislative obligations and complies with the Act," Senator Brown said.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown spoke to reporters in Canberra today about his move to call for a debate on the withdrawal of Australian troops and also commented on Qantas after the heavy handed action by chief executive Alan Joyce at the weekend.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown spoke to journalists in Hobart today about the Qantas grounding.