Australian Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown appeared on ABC News Breakfast to discuss the political budget surplus, the Afghanistan conflict, dental care, preferencing of votes, and the Australian Greens National Conference.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown, Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters, Senators for Western Australia Rachel Siewert and Scott Ludlam, and Member for Melbourne Adam Bandt spoke to the media about the Australian Greens National Conference in Fremantle, WA.

Topics included the allocation of preferences, the environmental threats posed by developments in the Kimberley, and the Nationals' call for a "discussion paper" on coal seam gas. 

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 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.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown today called on Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to demand Qantas management get the fleet back in the air.

"This lock out is also a sell out of the spirit of Australia," Senator Brown said.

"It is a multi-millionaire's lock out of responsible decent pilots, crew and other staff whose work gives Australia the world's best airline."