Australia is a low-taxing country with scope to increase taxation revenues to ensure our future prosperity, Australian Greens leader Senator Bob Brown said today

"The government has imposed a target on itself of keeping the ratio of tax to GDP below the 2007-08 ratio of 23.7 per cent but in the coming year the ratio is predicted to be only 22.3 per cent," Senator Brown said.

 "If the government kept to its target we would have an extra $22 billion to deal with the challenges facing us.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown spoke at Senate doors today about Four Corners, doodling, Tony Burke's attempt to rejig history on the August 2011 Intergovernmental Agreement on forests, and the Greens' defence of universal healthcare and push for more funding for dental care.

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Senator Brown also called for the Syrian embassy in Canberra to be closed as it no longer represents the people of Syria.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!

Australian Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown spoke to media in Hobart about the government's 'mini-budget' announcement. He also discussed the upcoming visit to Australia by U.S. President Barack Obama.

Greens Leader Bob Brown says that if a mini budget is handed down by the Government it should avoid large scale spending cuts because they are unnecessary.

"Australia is in the middle of a huge mining boom.  We are one of the richest countries on Earth at the wealthiest time in history," Senator Brown said.

"A mini budget should address the revenue options available to the Government such as increasing the mining tax, ending fossil fuel subsidies and abandoning the corporate tax cut for big business.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown and Senator for Victoria Richard Di Natale, health spokesperson, outlined the Greens' national dental care proposals at a press conference in Canberra today.

Other topics included the Government's political commitment to a budget surplus in 2012-13, the Nationals' "policy" on coal seam gas, and the watered-down mining tax.

Senator Bob Brown held a press conference where he discussed the government's 2011-12 federal budget.

Public mental health and private mineral wealth are the big winners out of this year's budget, Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.

"The Greens are celebrating the $1.5 billion boost to mental health funding, although we are shocked to discover that almost $0.5 billion is outside the forward estimates. There is a bias in the overall budget to the influential mining barons who are unelected and send massive profits overseas. While the mining corporations gain, programs for Australians, including the environment have been cut by billions," Senator Brown said.