Tough anti-strike rules, helped into law by the Tasmanian CFMEU's backing of John Howard in 2004, will be a problem for the union's proposed shutdown of the logging industry, Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.
 
"State secretary Scott McLean's nationally publicised backing for Mr Howard's re-election led to Howard's appalling industrial relations laws, including a ban on strikes unless an agreement with employers was being negotiated and, even then, a secret ballot of members is needed first. It is a straitjacket on strikes," Senator Brown said.
 

Greens Leader Bob Brown will reassure Family First Senator Steven Fielding that the Greens unanswered approaches to discuss preferences are not secret.
 
"Fielding's idea that the Greens are seeking a 'secret preference deal' with his fundamentalist party is ludicrous," Senator Brown said.
 

The Greens will oppose the "99% unfair" workplace law amendments proposed by the government, Greens leader Bob Brown said today.
 
"Labor is abandoning working families by supporting this legislation, which Julia Gillard says is "99% unfair". The Greens support 100% fairness in the workplace for everyone."
 
Senator Brown said the Greens support repealing the unfair WorkChoices legislation, but not legislation which is no more than shiny new buttons on a moth-eaten coat.
 

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown has announced legislation requiring the total amount of taxpayers' money spent on government advertising to be included in every advertisement.
 
"The aim of the bill is to name and shame governments who use taxpayers' money on blatantly political advertising. It will allow taxpayers to see exactly how much of their money is being spent by self-serving governments," Senator Brown said.
 

"If Labor wins the 2007 federal election, it will rely on the Greens' help to get its industrial relations package through the Senate," Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.
 
"Both Labor and the Greens are determined to abolish WorkChoices in its entirety," Senator Brown said.
 
"In recent days we've seen the government dropping the name of WorkChoices and the Democrats supporting AWAs by another name."
 
"Neither party are addressing the underlying problem. WorkChoices by any other name still punishes working families."
 

The changes to Labor's industrial relations policy announced today, including restrictions on the freedom of workers to strike and pursue claims of unfair dismissal, make the Greens the party holding the line for workers, Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.
 
"The Greens support all workers having unrestricted access to the unfair dismissal laws," Senator Brown said.
 

 
The Australian Greens today called on the government to block the planned takeover of Qantas by Macquarie Bank and
US private equity firm Texas Pacific Group.
 
"The flying kangaroo will become a Texan cash cow. Qantas employs thousands of Australians and carries millions in Australia and around the world, but Qantas boss Geoff Dixon has already admitted jobs could be under threat as a result of the takeover." Senator Brown said.
 

Greens Leader Bob Brown has sent Kevin Rudd a list of a dozen policy initiatives which would put Labor on the track to a 2007 election victory. Here is the list:
 
1.      Bring Australian troops home from Iraq
2.      Have David Hicks returned to Australia
3.      A first term referendum on the Republic
4.      Tackle Australia's addiction to coal with a renewable energy target of 25% by 2020 and legislation to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020 and 80% by 2050

Removing control of the Senate from the coalition will be critical to abolishing the WorkChoices legislation, Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.
 
"Kim Beazley wants to reverse  WorkChoices but he can't do that if the Senate remains in Coalition control," Senator Brown said.
 
"The Greens will help a Beazley Labor government abolish the IR laws, but to do that we need more Greens in the Senate," Senator Brown said.
 
Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603

A bill lifting MPs' superannuation top-ups form 9% to 15% will bolt through the Senate.  
After prayers at 12.30pm, the bill was exempted from the (cut-off) rule requiring at least 6 weeks delay between first and second reading to give time for proper public scrutiny and review.
 
The Greens opposed the exemption.
 
Debate on the bill is due to resume later today.  The Greens oppose the bill which overturns Prime Minister Howard's pre-election commitment to the 9% top-up.