Real growth not GDP
By Senator Christine Milne, Leader of the Australian Greens
How do we build an economic system that serves the needs of people and nature, both for today and for tomorrow?
The economy is a tool; a tool we humans invented – like democracy and politics – to help govern our relationships between each other, and between ourselves and the world we live in. If our economic tools are not getting the outcomes we want, making us happy, safe, healthy, better educated and fulfilled and protecting and preparing our country for an increasingly uncertain future in a world on track to be 4 degrees warmer, then it is time our economic tools changed.
Outdoor dining smoking ban delay delivers for Clubs NSW
By delaying the ban on smoking in dining areas until 2015 the O'Farrell government is keeping its Memorandum of Understanding with Clubs NSW intact while condemning tens of thousands of people to unnecessary death and disease, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Greens urge health minister to block-out nano sunscreen
The Greens are calling on the NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner to pressure her Federal colleague Tanya Plibersek to regulate the use of nanoparticles in sunscreen, following the action taken today by Friends of the Earth, says Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Hysterical gas industry attacks state government
The Greens NSW spokesperson on mining Jeremy Buckingham criticised the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) for labelling the O'Farrell Government's Regional Strategic Land Use Policy as red tape and consistently attacking the media for reportage critical of the industry.
Greens congratulate NSW Government for pollution law reform - Calls for new EPA to be adequately resourced
Greens MP and environment spokesperson Cate Faehrmann has congratulated the NSW Government for today's package of reforms to pollution laws and says the Greens are looking forward to working with the government to ensure these and further changes are implemented quickly.
"It's excellent the government has responded quickly to strengthen notification requirements to 'immediate' as the Greens bill would have done. Re-establishing the Environmental Protection Authority as an independent body is also welcome but it needs to be adequately resourced to undertake monitoring and enforcement," said Ms Faehrmann.
Greens support calls for personal injury law inquiry
The NSW Bar Association has today called for an independent inquiry into laws in NSW relating to compensation for people injured in NSW, which is a positive step forward as long as the government commits to acting on the recommendations according to Greens NSW MP David Shoebridge.
"The Greens support the NSW Bar Association's call for an independent inquiry into personal injury laws," Mr Shoebridge said.
"Changes to the law over the past decade have left NSW with an ad hoc system of laws which deliver unfair outcomes.
"The tragedy is that the amount of compensation received by someone injured in NSW has far less to do with the extent of the injury than with where it happened and who caused the injury.
Polling reveals widespread opposition to coal seam gas
Rally against coal seam gas mining: Sunday 18 September 11am Camperdown Park
A new poll by Galaxy Research has revealed widespread opposition to coal seam gas in Australia.
Greens MP Jamie Parker says the nationwide poll provides support to Sydney's inner west residents, who have already voiced strong opposition to coal seam mining.
"Local residents are rightly concerned about coal seam gas. Dart Energy plans to drill in St Peters and the coal seam gas industry has admitted that extraction will inevitably contaminate aquifers. This could affect a number of surrounding suburbs," said Mr Parker.
The poll found 70% wanted coal seam gas mining prohibited in cities and towns. In NSW 74% supported a moratorium on coal seam gas mining.
Bawley Point telecommunications tower: Greens propose legislation for greater community consultation
Greens Senator for NSW Lee Rhiannon says a bill scheduled to be introduced into the Senate today by Greens Leader Bob Brown would give communities like Bawley Point a greater say in where telecommunications towers are located, to address concerns about community health and environmental impacts.
“What Bawley Point residents now know is that current laws allow telecommunication companies like Crown Castles to skirt around local and state government planning laws, knee-capping the community’s right to be consulted,” Senator Rhiannon said.
“While good reception is vitally important to people living outside of the major centres, we can have this without sacrificing public health or the natural beauty of Bawley Point.
Northern Beaches Hospital proposal fails to meet community health demands
Greens NSW MP John Kaye joined community members at today's early morning rally against the proposed Northern Beaches Hospital at Frenchs Forest. The planned hospital announced earlier this month is opposed by many Northern Beaches residents as it will compound traffic problems, damage the local environment and ignore the existing benefits of the hospital sites at Mona Vale and Manly.
Inner west forum on voluntary euthanasia – 3pm Sunday 26 May
When: 3-4:30pm Sunday 26 May 2013
Where: Italian Forum Cultural Centre, 21–23 Norton St Leichhardt
All welcome, please RSVP: 9660 7586
The NSW Upper House is currently debating a Bill that would ensure that terminally ill people, under certain circumstances, have the right to die a dignified death at a time and place of their own choosing.