On this page you will find media releases from the 3 Greens elected to state parliament in Victoria.

Federal releases for Victorian representatives can be found here.

To see media coverage of our local government elected representatives, visit our Local Media page.

For more Greens news from across Australia go to the Australian Greens press page.

Government and Labor need to admit mistakes and commit to restoring TAFE funding and winding back disastrous privatised VET system

16th August 2012 5:16 pm

Greens MP and spokesperson on Education, Sue Pennicuik, attended today's rally at parliament house in protest against the wrecking of Victoria's public TAFE system.
"It is incomprehensible that the state government seems to be determined to destroy our public TAFE system," Ms Pennicuik said. "TAFE has been built up over decades with taxpayer's money and has always been based on the principle of affordable and accessible training for all."

Greens reject penalty rate push

15th August 2012 4:36 pm

 

Greens Deputy Leader Adam Bandt and workplace relations spokesperson says the Greens will not be supporting Nick Xenophon’s Bill to remove weekend penalty rates. 
“It is easy for someone earning six figures to be lecturing workers about penalty rates. MPs should not be in the business of taking away workers’ pay.” 
“We do have a 7 day a week economy but we should not be slaves to it. Weekends are an important time for families, friends and recreation - penalty rates reflect this.”
“Thousands of workers, especially young workers, depend on weekend penalty rates to help them make ends meet. This Bill would make it harder for them and we will not support it.”
 
 

Manufacturing taskforce needs to pass local content test

15th August 2012 12:00 am

 

Greens Deputy Leader and industry spokesperson Adam Bandt says he hopes the manufacturing industry taskforce due to report tomorrow will push for local content rules for big investments such as mining projects.
"Australian manufacturing needs a roadmap for the future,” Mr Bandt said.
“I am hopeful the taskforce will make some useful recommendations. Linking investment with innovation and skills and training will be vital. But we need to have an industry policy with teeth so it needs to include local content rules.”
"Many successful resource economies such as Canada and Brazil have local content rules. There is no reason why Australia can't do the same."
 

Greens Call For Inquiry Into VET Rorts

14th August 2012 12:00 am

Greens MP and Education spokesperson Sue Pennicuik has written to the government chair of the upper house Social and Legal Committee asking that the committee conduct public hearings to investigate allegations of rorting of apprenticeships and other vocational education and training in Victoria.

Baillieu takes up Greens' call for apology for forced adoptions

13th August 2012 12:00 am

"The Premier has written to the Greens advising of his intention to formally apologise on behalf of the Victorian government on behalf of the women, children and families who were affected by past adoption practices."
"The Greens are pleased to hear that there will be an apology from parliament for past forced adoption practices," Greens MLC for Southern Metropolitan said today.
"I have a motion in state parliament calling for the government to follow the West Australian, ACT and now South Australian parliaments which have already moved formal apologies," Ms Pennicuik said.

Coates To Get Council Online

10th August 2012 12:00 am

Greens candidate for Central Ward Belinda Coates has launched a candidate video online and is utilising social media so that local residents can contact her directly and discuss the issues that are important to them in the lead up to Council elections.

R&D changes not on: Bandt

10th August 2012 12:00 am

 

Any attempt to water down research and development tax concessions will be resisted by the Greens, warned Greens Deputy Leader and research and innovation spokesperson Adam Bandt today.
 Responding to speculation about the content of the business tax working group’s discussion paper to be released next week, Mr Bandt said the Greens want to see more spent on R&D not less.

Victorian Greens support Marriage Equality rally

10th August 2012 12:00 am

Victorian Greens spokesperson for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transexual and inter-sex (LGBTI) issues, Sue Pennicuik MLC today voiced her support for the Equal Love rally in Melbourne tomorrow.
"The Greens fully support the equal love campaign and commend the tireless efforts of everyone involved in the campaign for marriage equality, equal adoptions rights and ending discrimination in work and education," Ms Pennicuik said.

Greens call for parliamentary inquiry into vocational education and training rorts

10th August 2012 12:00 am

Greens MP and Education spokesperson Sue Pennicuik has written to the government chair of the upper house Social and Legal Committee asking that the committee conduct public hearings to investigate allegations of rorting of apprenticeships and other vocational education and training in Victoria.
"In the past week, the 7.30 Report has aired three programs outlining disturbing allegations about rorting in the Vocational Education and Training sector in Victoria and around the country," Ms Pennicuik said.

Greens move for inquiry on public service employment targets

8th August 2012 4:10 pm

 

Greens Deputy Leader and workplace relations spokesperson Adam Bandt will move for a Parliamentary inquiry into employment targets in the public service for disadvantaged groups facing high levels of unemployment, such as migrant communities, people with disabilities and indigenous people.
 
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Melbourne Employment Forum, Mr Bandt said employment and of migrants in the public service was static and employment for people with disabilities and indigenous people were going backwards.