Mandatory data retention legislation that costs over $300 million dollars to implement, and around 15 cents a day to circumvent, was due to come into effect today, but most Internet Service Providers have not received a response from the Attorney-General's Department about the plans they were required to submit, Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Communications Spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said today.

Greens Foreign Affairs spokesperson Scott Ludlam says it is great news that jailed Al Jazeera journalists Mohamad Fahmy and Baher Mohamed have been pardoned by Egyptian President al-Sisi, but is dismayed that this clemency has not yet been extended to their Australian colleague Peter Greste.

"We are thrilled for Mohamad and Baher and their families, who have been so strong throughout this drawn out injustice of 21 months in prison for doing their jobs," said Senator Ludlam.

The Australian Greens have condemned the Abbott Government's decision to commence airstrikes in Syria, warning it will worsen the refugee crisis and aggravate extremism.

"At a time when our community is desperate to show compassion to people fleeing war in Syria, Tony Abbott is dropping bombs," said Greens Leader Richard Di Natale.

"I'm so proud of the way Australians have told the government loud and clear that we are strong enough to offer protection to people seeking refuge from war.

The Greens have welcomed a report from the Joint Standing Committee On Treaties (JSCOT) that has just been tabled in the House of Representatives, recommending Tony Abbott's intention to sell Australian uranium to India should not go ahead at this time.

JSCOT member Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said:

The Australian Greens have today called on the Abbott Government not to mistake the use of force with showing genuine strength when it comes to helping the four million people fleeing Syria.

“Four million people are fleeing war in Syria at a time when there are record numbers of displaced people around the world. We are strong enough to give a home to 20,000 extra refugees without trading one vulnerable fleeing family for another,” said Australian Greens Leader, Dr Richard Di Natale.

The Australians Greens have condemned the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security’s (PJCIS) report on the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia) Bill 2015.

Greens Deputy Leader Senator Scott Ludlam said that the committee ignored expert evidence and shirked its responsibilities by continuing to support key planks of the Government’s unworkable citizenship laws.

“Despite making 27 recommendations, that offer slight improvements of the original Bill, the framework of this irreparably flawed Bill remains intact,” Senator Ludlam said.

The Canning by-election is shaping up as a referendum on the Government’s performance on renewable energy and jobs, with both rated as more important in new ReachTel polling than Prime Minister Abbott’s preferred subject matter of war and terror.

“The ReachTel poll released today puts the writing on the wall for Prime Minister Abbott: jobs and clean energy rate higher for people living in Canning,” Senator Scott Ludlam said.