Month: September 2024

The ACCC’s decision to take Woolworths and Coles to court for price gouging has highlighted Labor’s complete inaction on the corporate villains who caused an inflation crisis.

“These supermarket giants have been caught exploiting consumers under the cover of high inflation, and using fake discount claims to rake in profits,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“This is exactly why the Greens have introduced bills to the Parliament to crack down on corporate price gouging and break up the supermarket duopoly.”

“Coles and Woolworths have exploited a national crisis to overcharge people. This is price gouging, plain and simple.”

“Their behaviour is maliciously deceitful and utterly contemptuous of Australian shoppers.”

“They could never have engaged in this behaviour if they did not have market dominance and price gouging had been illegal.”

“Surely now Labor has to stop running interference for Coles and Woolworths and join the Greens to crack down on corporate price gouging.”

“The Greens’ bills would give the ACCC real power to stop this type of behaviour.”

“Today’s revelations show Labor has been asleep at the wheel on this issue. They are protecting their corporate mates while Australians suffer.”

“These companies have used their market dominance to relentlessly profiteer.”

“It’s time to break them up and pass anti-price gouging laws to protect Australians from this kind of exploitation.”

“The Greens have the solutions on the table to end this kind of behaviour and put more power into the hands of shoppers.”

“Labor needs to stop siding with these fundamentally dishonest corporations and work with us to pass these critical reforms.”

The Greens have criticised a decision from Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to approve the clearing of endangered native forest at Manyana on the NSW South Coast.

The endangered forest slated for clearing is one of the last remaining unburnt parcels of land on the NSW South Coast, which was decimated by the 2019/2020 bushfires. The Greens are urging an end to native forest logging.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Spokesperson for the Environment:

“The Albanese Government should be protecting critical habitat and native forests, not approving their destruction.

“The endangered forest at Manyana is some of the last remaining in the region after the Black Summer bushfires decimated the NSW South Coast – it must be protected, not destroyed.

“This decision is a slap in the face for a community who have already suffered enough and have campaigned for four years to protect what’s left at Manyana.

“It is alarming that the Environment Minister, whose job is to protect the environment, can approve the destruction of one of the last remaining critical refuges for wildlife in the region like the Gang-Gang Cockatoo, Greater Glider and Swift Parrot. 

“This decision has once again highlighted that our environmental laws aren’t up to the job of protecting our native wildlife. 

“Instead of continuing to greenlight destruction, the Albanese Government should be working constructively in the Parliament to ensure new environment laws stop the destruction of critical habitat.”

The Reserve Bank’s failure to bring down interest rates puts the ball squarely in Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ court to act, the Greens say.

“Jim Chalmers has said the Reserve Bank is smashing the economy, but now he has a clear choice: let them keep doing it or finally use powers available to him to bring rates down,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“Dr Chalmers could use either fiscal or monetary policy to bring down inflation and he’s currently choosing neither.”

“If the Treasurer is serious about wanting to bring inflation down and ease interest rate pain, he needs to step up with real, concrete action: tax corporate super-profits, clamp down on corporate price-gouging, and freeze rents.”

“He could also use the Section 11 powers to directly override the high interest rates that he says are ‘smashing the economy’.”

“Labor cannot keep standing on the sidelines and let people continue to suffer.”

“Dr Chalmers has the power to bring relief to those who badly need it – he just needs to show some courage.”

“Labor can criticise the Greens all they want, but they are in government and their policies and inaction have put Australia in a per capita recession.”

“Labor is watching the Reserve Bank drive people to the wall and doing nothing.”

The Greens say Labor can’t be trusted on the environment and climate this election after Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek today approved 3 new coal mine extensions in the Hunter Valley NSW.

The Albanese Government’s Nature Positive legislation remains stalled in the Senate with the Greens calling for climate impacts to be considered as part of the environmental approval process. Today’s decision comes after the environment Minister also approved destroying a native forest on Friday afternoon.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Spokesperson for the Environment:

“The Government must rule out approving any new mines until Australia’s environment laws are fixed. That means including the climate impacts of polluting projects. 

“The Labor Government is deliberately and proactively approving climate wrecking coal mines under laws they know are broken. It’s wrong and irresponsible. 

“This goes to show the Albanese Government has zero credibility on the environment this election after approving 3 coal mine extensions in a single day.

“The Prime Minister was over in WA today, boasting that pollution approvals are happening faster under his government than under Scott Morrison. 

“There can now be no doubt for voters this election: the Greens are the only party you can trust on the environment and climate.

“The Environment Minister has one job: protect the environment, not the fossil fuel industry.”

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:

“Labor approving three more coal projects in the Hunter Valley is a betrayal of everyone who voted for climate action.

“To have any chance of meeting climate targets there can be no new coal or gas mines, yet Labor has now approved 26 new coal and gas projects since coming to power. Each one will make the climate crisis worse.

“Emissions are higher under Anthony Albanese than last under Scott Morrison, and now Labor has made the climate crisis even worse.

“You can’t put the fire out if you’re pouring petrol on it.”

The Greens say Labor can’t be trusted on the environment and climate this election after Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek today approved 3 new coal mine extensions in the Hunter Valley NSW.

The Albanese Government’s Nature Positive legislation remains stalled in the Senate with the Greens calling for climate impacts to be considered as part of the environmental approval process. Today’s decision comes after the environment Minister also approved destroying a native forest on Friday afternoon.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Spokesperson for the Environment:

“The Government must rule out approving any new mines until Australia’s environment laws are fixed. That means including the climate impacts of polluting projects. 

“The Labor Government is deliberately and proactively approving climate wrecking coal mines under laws they know are broken. It’s wrong and irresponsible. 

“This goes to show the Albanese Government has zero credibility on the environment this election after approving 3 coal mine extensions in a single day.

“The Prime Minister was over in WA today, boasting that pollution approvals are happening faster under his government than under Scott Morrison. 

“There can now be no doubt for voters this election: the Greens are the only party you can trust on the environment and climate.

“The Environment Minister has one job: protect the environment, not the fossil fuel industry.”

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:

“Labor approving three more coal projects in the Hunter Valley is a betrayal of everyone who voted for climate action.

“To have any chance of meeting climate targets there can be no new coal or gas mines, yet Labor has now approved 26 new coal and gas projects since coming to power. Each one will make the climate crisis worse.

“Emissions are higher under Anthony Albanese than last under Scott Morrison, and now Labor has made the climate crisis even worse.

“You can’t put the fire out if you’re pouring petrol on it.”

Australia will provide an additional $10 million in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank.

The funding will be directed to UNICEF and UNFPA and will provide lifesaving assistance, with a focus on women and girls, including the delivery of nutrition support, as well as hygiene and dignity kits.

Since 7 October, Australia has committed $82.5 million in humanitarian assistance to address essential needs in Gaza and the West Bank and respond to the protracted refugee crisis in the region.

Australia continues to push for safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian assistance to people in desperate need, and for all aid workers to be protected.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

Australia’s support will help address the dire humanitarian situation with the delivery of nutrition and essential hygiene and health products.

Rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian relief must reach civilians, and aid workers must be protected to enable their lifesaving work.

“We continue to press for a ceasefire, the protection of civilians and the release of hostages.”

Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. Civilians should not be made to pay the price for the horrendous acts of others. The suffering must stop.”

“We support the ceasefire endorsed by the UN Security Council and want to see it fully implemented by both parties. Any delay will only see more lives lost.”