The Australian Greens have today reaffirmed their commitment to work with First Nations peoples to take urgent action on youth justice issues in Australia.

“What has been done to young people in Don Dale and other youth detention facilities is shameful and both state and federal Governments have failed to act, despite the devastating evidence we heard at the Royal Commission and the continued problems at the facility,” Australian Greens spokesperson on First Nations issues Senator Rachel Siewert said.

The Australian Greens will work with First Nations peoples to take urgent action on youth justice issues in Australia, especially in the Northern Territory. We have a human rights approach and support First Nations peoples having control over the development, design and implementation of youth justice policies.

OVERVIEW

South West residents in Margaret River and Balingup will this week have the opportunity to join Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert and Greens candidate for Forrest Nerilee Boshammer to talk about what issues are important for them in the community.

“We have spoken to thousands of people in WA over many months and the overwhelming response is that they want action to tackle climate change and a plan to transition to clean, renewable energy and all of the jobs and training opportunities that this transition would bring,” Australian Greens senator Rachel Siewert said.

The Australian Greens have unveiled a plan to help ensure access to mental health services becomes universal and accessible to all Australians.

“Mental illness is one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century and access to treatments should be universal. People in our community should be able to get easy access to treatments in the same way they would for a broken leg or the flu,” Australian Greens spokesperson on mental health Senator Rachel Siewert said.

The Australian Greens have today expressed strong support for the Indigenous Legal Assistance Program and said that it essential that any future Government retains it as a separate program and increase funding.

“ILAP is absolutely best placed to deliver justice for First Nations peoples and it was ridiculous that the Government ignored the recommendations of its own independent review to keep First Nations Legal Services as a standalone program,” Greens spokesperson on First Nations issues Senator Rachel Siewert said.

The Australian Greens have unveiled a comprehensive suite of policies that will support young Australians to access high quality mental health services wherever they live.

“Around one in four young people have a mental health condition. Of those who develop a mental health condition in their lifetime, 50% do so before they are 14, and 75% before they are 25. That’s why the Greens are strongly committed to early intervention and prevention,” Australian Greens spokesperson on mental health Senator Rachel Siewert said.

Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today that after over a decade of campaigning for an increase to the Newstart rate, it was refreshing to finally see it become an election issue.

“At long last the dire poverty that people on Newstart are condemned to live in is being recognised, now it must be turned into action," Senator Rachel Siewert said.

“I’ve introduced four private members bills to increase Newstart since I’ve been in Parliament. 

“The community know it is not acceptable that this payment hasn’t been raised for 25 years.

Australian Greens Leader Senator Richard Di Natale has welcomed the official start of the election campaign, declaring that the party has never been better equipped to offer a progressive alternative to the old parties. 
 
“We’re ready. On May 18, we’ll give the Australian people a genuine alternative to the old parties, one that offers a positive plan for Australia that will create a better future for all of us,” Sen. Di Natale said.
 

The ALP was tonight complicit in extending a social experiment on the people of Ceduna, the East Kimberley and the Goldfields by rubber stamping the Government’s extension to the Cashless Debit Card for another year.
 
“This is a sad day for people in our community who are suffering  on a coercive, controlling card that flies in the face of self-determination, Senator Rachel Siewert, Spokesperson on First Nations issues said today.
  
“How can the ALP stomach let alone support this type of policy approach?