Resources Minister Ferguson shows contempt for Bob Brown and democracy

Resource Minister Martin Ferguson vows not to make Greens deal (AAP / Herald Sun / The Epoch Times)

"FEDERAL Resource Minister Martin Ferguson has vowed not to do a Senate deal with the Greens on the mining tax, assuring miners that the government will stick by its agreement with the industry. Mr Ferguson assured Queensland miners that the Greens would not be tinkering with the agreement should they gain the balance of power in the Senate at the next election. "In two and a half years I've never had a meeting with (Greens Leader) Bob Brown."

You might wish to write a Letter to the Editor or post online suggesting that Minister Ferguson's blatant disregard for not only Senator Brown but the essential role of the Senate in Australia's federalist system of government seems typical of Labor's recent demonstrations to the Australian people that democracy is no longer theirs. Whilst the Minister represents the view of the three big mining companies he conducted closed-door negotiations with, the Greens represent the view of a significant proportion of Australian voters and Senator Brown was right to question the true cost of the government's backdown on the mining tax.

Coal seam gas expansion & carbon tax

Two key impact points today. Firstly, as you'll see below, Senator Bob

Brown has said he will support Qld farmers against the State Government's

coal seam gas expansion. It would be worthwhile commending Bob Brown's

commitment whilst at the same time spreading the message that QLD would do

well to have its own representative in the Senate.

On the carbon tax, well now even Tony Abbott is saying the PM should sit

down with The Greens and talk climate change action! Does it get more

impressive than that? Unfortunately not with Qld Premier Bligh dismissing

the tax and attacking the Greens.

Greens write to PM re: Carbon Tax

Much discussion on radio news this morning surrounding Senator Bob Brown's

offer to the PM of a solution to the failed ETS - the long campaigned for

carbon tax. The media and (some) online discussions are demonstrating a

positive reaction to this story. We can reinforce this by keeping up the

messages we have been spreading over the past several days. 

SHY on Q&A tonight

Greens Senator, Sarah Hanson-Young is a

panellist on Q&A on ABC, tonight 9.35pm. Other panellists are Malcolm

Turnbull, Craig Emerson, Graham Richardson and Jessica Brown.

The Greens gain ground

Greens gain ground (The Australian - opinion)

"A DOUBLE dissolution would very likely give the Greens more Senate seats.

I suspect this is the real reason why we will not have a

double-dissolution election. In Queensland, for example, at the last

election the Greens had just over half a quota before preferences and

hence would have a senator in a double dissolution even on those numbers,

let along the swing predicted by current polls. With a stronger Greens

presence in the Senate, a Labor government has two options to get

legislation through if it's not widely supported: make it more

conservative to appeal to the Coalition, or more progressive to appeal to

the Greens. Does Labor want such clear options? I doubt it. As it stands,

the ALP can make a big deal of trying to push through legislation that

isn't very good, and blame whoever it likes for failing."

The Mining Tax row

THE MINING TAX is still leading national news with the BHP chief saying he can see no end to the row. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/bhp-chief-sees-no-end-to-tax-row-20100610-y0j2.html

The Greens believe that Australia's rich mineral resources and the wealth they generate should be shared by all Australians, and therefore support the government in the proposed mining tax. However The Greens believe that the large section of Australians who will benefit from it are not getting the right message. For more, read here: http://greensmps.org.au/content/opinion-editorial/tax-resources-profits-would-benefit-all-us