Statement from Adam Bandt MP, Leader of the Australian Greens:

There is now a dark cloud over the Cabinet and the government.

We need to make Parliament a safe place for women. Parliamentary staff shouldn’t be going to work wondering if they’re working alongside someone who has been accused of such a heinous crime.

The position of the accused means this is a matter of national significance. These are extremely serious and shocking allegations that should be investigated to the fullest possible extent.

Every member of the Lower House Crossbench has come together to demand an urgent review of workplace procedures at Australian Parliament House, following the latest harrowing allegations of serious sexual assault. 

The letter, co-signed this morning by Adam Bandt, Dr Helen Haines, Bob Katter, Rebekha Sharkie, Zali Steggall, and Andrew Wilkie, commends women for coming forward with their allegations of abuse, noting the culture of secrecy and cover up that pervades the building.

The Greens have called upon the Prime Minister to boot Craig Kelly from his role chairing a parliamentary committee, following weeks of disinformation intended to undermine the medical response to coronavirus.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi has responded to the publication of the report of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain on 15 March 2019.

Senator Faruqi is Australia’s first Muslim woman Senator, and the Australian Greens spokesperson for Anti-racism.

Senator Faruqi said:

“The Royal Commission report makes for disturbing reading. While there is still much to digest, a few things are clear at this point.

The Australian Greens Party Room has agreed to strengthen rules for Senators and MPs, making explicit a ban on sexual relations between any Federal Greens MPs and any Federal Greens staff members.
 
The Australian Greens and the Party Room already had very strong and extensive policies on sexual harassment and bullying and this update further strengthens those rules. These rules conform to community expectations and what is in place in workplaces around the country.
 

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP, and Greens Senate Leader and Queensland Senator, Larissa Waters, have said the success of the Queensland Greens at last night’s election showed the increasing momentum for progressive change, following on from major gains in the ACT last month, putting the party in strong contention for further Senate and lower house seats at the next Federal election.

The Australian Greens stand with the Kashmiri community on 27 October as they commemorate Black Day. Kashmir is a disputed territory and it is now over a year since the Indian Government revoked its special status and further eroded Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.

Lidia Thorpe has today been confirmed by the Victorian Parliament, clearing the way for the Greens Senator-Elect for Victoria to make her first appearance in the Senate in October. 

With Victoria's ongoing Stage 4 lockdowns leaving Victorian Parliament sitting on a reduced schedule, the last-minute confirmation was made possible through a joint sitting.

"This is a proud day not just for me, but for Aboriginal people across the country," Senator-elect Thorpe said.