In December 2006 the Howard Government rushed into law two pieces of legislation that are having a disastrous effect on many women in our community - Work Choices and Welfare to Work.

Tomorrow, the Australian Greens are holding a forum to look at the impacts of Work Choices and Welfare to Work on women and consider the best way forward for new fairer industrial relations and welfare systems.

"Work Choices and Welfare to Work are leaving many Australian women with no choices," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

The Government is actively facilitating the destruction of the Burrup's unique rock art with today's approval to Woodside's Pluto gas development.

"This is the third major environmental decision by the Howard Government in the past few days, first with the Gunns Pulp Mill, then Barrow Island. Now they seem determined to steamroll over the Burrup peninsula," said Australian Greens spokesperson for the Environment Rachel Siewert.

The Greens today successfully moved a motion in the Senate to establish an Inquiry into the future of agriculture in a drying climate.

"We desperately need a strategy to  make certain that policy settings are consistent in addressing both food security  and the need to help our agricultural sector deal with climate change and to provide the practical assistance needed to adapt," said Senator Rachel Siewert today "Continuing business as usual is not acceptable."

Senator Rachel Siewert, today called on the Government to ensure that the priceless cultural heritage of the Burrup peninsula was protected.

"We understand the WA EPA has given the go ahead for preparatory work on the Pluto Area B site on the Burrup, and that this work could start at anytime. We are very concerned that this may affect the cultural values of the area" said Senator Siewert.

The Australian Greens have condemned the proposed Traveston dam as a complete disaster and say it should be dropped immediately.

"The economic, social and environmental evidence to the Senate Inquiry was damning, said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

"It clearly shows the dam simply should not be built."

"This dam will be a white elephant."

"I cannot see how it can possibly pass a rigorous EPBC assessment."

"The Water Bill won't save the Murray Darling system unless key amendments are made," said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

The Australian Greens tabled a minority report this evening on the Senate Inquiry into the Water Bill 2007, which was conducted over a single day last Friday.

"There is nothing in the legislation which guarantees speedy action in implementing the Basin cap and the environmental watering plan," said Senator Siewert.

"It is obvious from the Senate Inquiry held on Friday that the NT Intervention Bills are fundamentally flawed," said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

The Australian Greens tabled a dissenting report on the inquiry in the senate this evening which highlights serious problems with the legislation behind the government's NT plan.

The Australian Greens will be referring the NT intervention Bills for Senate committee inquiry.

"The Australian Greens are not convinced -- and more importantly neither is the community -- that the Bills to be introduced to Parliament this week will deliver what is actually required to effectively tackle child abuse in the Northern Territory," said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

The decision by the Minister for the Environment to give National Heritage listing to the rock art of the Burrup Peninsula and Dampier Archipelago is overdue, insufficient, and lacks courage.

Greens Senator Rachel Siewert, Labor's Dr Carmen Lawrence and Independent Peter Andren welcome the listing, but say: