The federal and state governments must take action to save Tasmania’s East Coast reefs.

A Religious Discrimination Act should not be used to undermine or override state based anti-discrimination laws, the Australian Greens say, following the release of the government’s response to the Ruddock Review.

The Senate has today called on federal Environment Minister Melissa Price to conduct a full assessment of the Lake Malbena development, including public consultation.

Tasmanian Greens Senators Nick McKim and Peter Whish-Wilson have tabled the Senate’s largest ever petition, calling for takayna/Tarkine to be protected as a World Heritage Area.

The passage of laws to make it easier for Governments to use the army within Australia is a dangerous step for our country, Greens Justice spokesperson Nick McKim said.

Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton’s plans to leave people stateless is yet another attack on the rule of law and people’s fundamental rights, Greens Justice spokesperson Nick McKim says.

The Liberals’ decision to refuse to sign the United Nations Global Compact for Migration is an admission that their refugee policies are in breach of international law, Greens Immigration spokesperson Nick McKim says.

Reports that the Australian Government plans to bring the children it is detaining on Nauru to Australia by Christmas removes any excuse to keep people in offshore detention, Greens Immigration spokesperson Nick McKim says.

“The warped logic of offshore detention is crumbling around the major parties. There is now no excuse not to end offshore detention and conclude this dark chapter in our country’s history,” Senator McKim said. 

The deportation of Australia's chief medical officer from Nauru shows the entire regime of offshore detention is crumbling, Greens Immigration spokesperson Nick McKim says.

"This is a humanitarian emergency, and Scott Morrison has lost control of his detention centres," Senator McKim said.

"His entire offshore regime is crumbling before our eyes."

"This deportation confirms that there is no way for Australia's prisoners on Nauru to receive proper medical support."

The Greens will co-sponsor a Bill to get children and their families off Nauru to receive medical treatment in Australia.