The Australian Greens said today that Tony Abbott's plan for Australia's north shows how little he understands about the importance of responsible, sustainable development.

"Northern Australia is not an empty and forgotten part of our country waiting to be exploited, which is what Mr Abbott seems to think," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens agriculture spokesperson said today.

Australia's key agricultural forecaster has stood by its prediction of a 30% increase in agricultural productivity by 2025, despite admitting in Senate Estimates that it's modelling only factors in a modest impact from climate change and severe weather.

The prediction of a 30% productivity increase was contained in the Federal Government's newly released Food Plan.

Colin Barnett's bitter obsession with James Price Point must end, the WA Greens said today.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said the State Government's plan to acquire the land despite huge local opposition to its industrialisation and Woodside's withdrawal was "vindictive and reckless".

"Premier Barnett, please - it's over. This is a pristine part of the Kimberley's coast; it was never appropriate for industrialisation and it never will be. The Premier is now standing in the way of progress. It's time to move on," said Senator Ludlam.

Reports that Woodside is shelving its planned Browse gas project at James Price Point could signal a big win for the Kimberley and the environment alike, the Greens said today.

"These are very encouraging reports and it is important that Woodside and the WA Government announce the decision, if it has been made," Senator Rachel Siewert said.

Woodside and Colin Barnett's plan to wreck James Price Point is looking increasingly obsessive as leading companies turn their backs on obsolete onshore processing, the Greens said today.

Speaking from Broome today Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said "Shell and Exxon Mobil are pursuing floating LNG projects while Woodside clings to its plan to ruin the pristine coast at James Price Point".

The Australian Greens today released a letter sent to Minister Ludwig detailing our strong concerns about the backwardness of the Government's biosecurity bill.

"Biosecurity is a key concern for Australian farmers and environmentalists" said leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Christine Milne.

"In 2008 when the Government accepted the Beale biosecurity report and again in the 2010 election campaign, they promised to implement the full Beale recommendations.  This bill shows that they have completely walked away from this commitment."

The Australian Greens say the plan to award a 50 year lease to Chinese corporation Shanghai Zhongfu is a disappointing result for the nation and WA.

"This development was promoted as one which would expand opportunities for Australian farmers and food production," Australian Greens Agriculture spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

"Large scale sugar cane farming for fuel production, involving widespread clearing, falls well short of this mark.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens Agriculture spokesperson has today helped launch the Centre For Policy Development’s new report “Farming Smarter, not Harder” at Parliament House.

"This is an important piece of research, which I encourage all MPs to read and engage with,” Senator Siewert said today.

“The report comes at a critical time for Australian agriculture, with global demand for food set to rapidly increase in the coming years.

The Australian Greens have secured important wins for farmers across the country following discussions with the Government over the Wheat Export Marketing Amendment Bill.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson for Agriculture, says the party will support the Bill through the House of Representatives and that the Government has agreed to support Greens amendments when the Bill is debated in the Senate.