Tens of thousands of WA university students returning to study in the next fortnight will be able to qualify for a $950 Government Training and Learning Bonus, thanks to an extended deadline negotiated by the Australian Greens.

“Under Kevin Rudd’s original plan for the $42 billion economic stimulus package, only those students who had enrolled by 3 February could qualify for the $950 bonus,” Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said.

“However, as a result of the Greens’ negotiations in the Senate this deadline has been extended to 31 March.”

Greens highlight emergency relief for struggling families as more mines close

Western Australia must create a more resilient economy that can ride out mining busts and the current round of job cuts, according to the Australian Greens.

“The need for emergency relief is becoming evermore apparent as each day more Western Australians find themselves out of work through mining closures and cutbacks,” Australian Greens Employment and Workplace Relations Spokeswoman Rachel Siewert said.

The Australian Greens today called on Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett to press ahead with the ongoing strategic assessment process to find the best location for an industrial Hub in the Kimberley, saying that he should not approve any LNG developments in the region outside of the agreed process.

"Colin Barnett's attempt to return to the old days of trampling on Aboriginal rights and environmental heritage is inappropriate and out of step," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

The Australian Greens today voiced their concerns over the future state of industrial relations in Western Australia, after comments from WA Treasurer Troy Buswell that the state system would be overhauled.

"This call from the new Liberal leadership in WA is a purely political reaction to the proposed industrial relations changes at a federal level. What is needed is considered debate and consultation with all involved, not political points scoring," said Australian Greens spokesperson on industrial relations Senator Rachel Siewert.

Australia's iconic Coorong wetlands and the Murray River's Lower Lakes can be saved from collapse - according to a minority Senate report released today.

Australian Greens Senators Rachel Siewert (WA) and Sarah Hanson-Young (SA) today released a minority Senate report, with Senator Nick Xenophon (SA).

"It's clear why Penny Wong didn't want this inquiry" - Greens

The Greens-initiated Senate inquiry into the Coorong has already shown its value, after it immediately discovered that the federal government has failed to consult with leading agencies like CSIRO about the water audit and modelling for getting emergency water to the Coorong.

"It is clear now why Minister Penny Wong didn't want this Senate inquiry," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens water spokesperson, said in Canberra today.

The Australian Greens today succeeded in getting a new Senate Inquiry called into the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), as a first step towards the eventual abolition of the Commission.

"I'm very pleased that the Bill I introduced in the Senate enabling the abolition of the ABCC and repealing the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005 (BCII), has been referred to committee for full inquiry and review," said Australian Greens spokesperson on Industrial Relations, Senator Rachel Siewert.