As water for irrigators in the Murray-Darling all but disappears and prices of essential fruit and vegetable are like to soar, the Greens are calling on NSW Fair Trading Minister Linda Burney to issue a consumer food price alert.

Commenting on an article on page 4 of today’s Sydney Morning Herald, Greens NSW MP and consumer affairs spokesperson Dr John Kaye said: “The cruel irony of our climate is that while many coastal areas of the South East of Australia are in flood, the Murray-Darling system is almost out of water for irrigated food production.

“It is widely expected that zero water allocations will be announced on Sunday. (more…)

Greens Senator Kerry Nettle visited the far south coast this week to inspect the controversial logging at Gulaga Mountain, near Narooma.

Senator Nettle, accompanied by Greens candidate for Eden-Monaro, Keith Hughes said she was keen to support efforts of the local community to save the forest.

“I am full of admiration for the efforts of the local community and especially the brave blockaders who have kept this struggle going over two cold wet winter months,” Senator Nettle said.

“Our native forests are the planet’s most valuable carbon sinks and to be subsidising their destruction at this time is just crazy,” she said. (more…)

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon says the NSW government’s plan today to create a new position of Assistant Deputy President in the Upper House is unnecessary.

“The Labor government has given no justification for creating a new position of Assistant Deputy President. This move seems to be designed to assist Labor politically rather than improve the running of the NSW Upper House,” Ms Rhiannon said. (more…)

Greens Leader Bob Brown today called on the Australian Communications Media Authority (ACMA) to ban junk food advertising aimed at children.

“Advertising regulations should reflect community standards and parents have clearly and consistently asked that junk food ads aimed at children be banned,” Senator Brown said. (more…)

Electoral Office figures reveal that the international financial services corporation Babcock and Brown, one of the companies involved in the development of a private resort in the Killalea State Park, has donated $143,000 to the NSW Labor Party since 2003/04.

After widespread opposition from the community, the government last week released a copy of the controversial development agreement for a 200 unit resort to be built in the state park on the NSW South Coast. (more…)

The Australian Greens support and congratulate the community organisations for their response to the Government’s ‘emergency’ intervention in the Northern Territory.

“I agree with their contention in their letter to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs today that, in their present form, the proposals miss the mark and are unlikely to be effective,” said Senator Siewert. (more…)

Greens MP and ports and waterways spokesperson Lee Rhiannon is calling on Premier Morris Iemma to declare who will pay the full cost of the salvage and resuce and any possible clean up costs of the Pasha Bulker.

“Premier Iemma must tell the public who will foot the bill for the Pasha Bulker operation,” said Ms Rhiannon.

“Owners of ships like the Pasha Bulker, known as ‘flag of convenience’ vessels, regularly refuse to pay for such costs. (more…)

With the gazetted approval for B-doubles on the Pacific Highway due to expire on 1 August this year, it’s time for an objective evaluation of the relative safety in allowing B-doubles to travel the very busy and not yet upgraded Pacific Highway, according to Upper House Greens MP Ian Cohen.

“Five years ago the government approved B-double traffic on the Pacific Highway. In the interests of public safety, it’s now time to review this,” he said. (more…)

Premier Iemma announced the next step in the construction of the Kurnell desalination plant despite the complete absence of credible expert advice that an immediate start is needed, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: “Premier Iemma and his Water Utilities Minister Nathan Rees are committing Sydney households to a 250 megalitre a day desalination plant even though water storage levels are above 50%. (more…)

“The failure of the Howard Government to deliver on its responsibilities to protect Ramsar wetlands at Macquarie Marshes highlights its lack of capacity to take over the nation’s water resources,” said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

“How can the Commonwealth manage the whole of the Murray Darling Basin if they are unable to manage getting their environmental water from the dam to the marshes?” (more…)