The Abbott Government's huge cuts to education and indigenous programs and will hold back students in remote schools despite Education Minister Christopher Pyne's Direct Instruction plan, say the Australian Greens.

Australian Greens spokesperson for schools Senator Penny Wright said the Coalition's abandonment of the Gonski funding model would see remote schools miss out on millions of dollars that would have helped attract and retain specialist literacy teachers.

The Australian Greens said today that they remain the only party with effective policies on the table to reduce the incidence of poverty in Western Australia.

The new WA Council of Social Service Cost Of Living Report released today shows that a lack of affordable housing, increased living costs and inadequate levels of income support are driving Western Australians below the poverty line, with job seekers, single parents and families on low or fixed incomes most at risk.

A new report shows the housing crisis is making it harder for jobseekers to find work, the Greens said today.

Greens housing spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said the report released today by Australians for Affordable Housing made clear that the lack of affordable housing in Australia is entrenching disadvantage.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown, Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters, Senators for Western Australia Rachel Siewert and Scott Ludlam, and Member for Melbourne Adam Bandt spoke to the media about the Australian Greens National Conference in Fremantle, WA.

Topics included the allocation of preferences, the environmental threats posed by developments in the Kimberley, and the Nationals' call for a "discussion paper" on coal seam gas. 

The Australian Greens have identified the need for effective case management and engagement with parents as integral steps in improving educational outcomes in the Northern Territory.

Commenting on today’s Senate Estimates hearings, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues Senator Rachel Siewert said the Government was unable to connect important programs with better educational outcomes.

The Australian Greens have secured an additional five million dollars to boost childcare services around the country, including 21 centres in Western Australia.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Rachel Siewert said grants of up to $5000 will be directed to services in areas of disadvantage.

Senator Rachel Siewert has today highlighted the Australian Greens intention to continue to look at options for assisting the community sector with the move to a carbon price.

“The Greens are mindful of the fact that the social services sector will be impacted by carbon pricing and we are considering how this might be addressed in the most effective manner,” Senator Siewert, Australian Greens Community Services spokesperson said today.

The Australian Greens have welcomed Attorney-General Robert McClelland’s announcement that the Federal Government intends to amend the family law system to place a greater focus on child safety.

Senator Rachel Siewert said today The Greens strongly opposed some of the changes to the Family Law Act introduced by the Howard Government in 2006, saying the changes were not in the best interests of the child.

Senator SIEWERT (Western Australia) (9.43 pm)—I rise to speak on the Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Child Care Budget Measures) Bill 2010 and the government’s decision on budget night to freeze the indexation of the childcare rebate for four years at the 2008-09 level of $7,500, affecting tens of thousands of Australian families.

Senator Rachel Siewert has called for a review of the use of ADHD medication following publication of a report from the University of Western Australia that suggests the use of stimulant medication for children not only fails to help them academically but may also harm them physically.

"We know that medication rates for children suffering from Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder have soared since the last decade, with more than 20,000 West Australians using stimulants - a prescription rate that ranks amongst the highest in the world," Senator Siewert said.