The Australian Greens have called on the Federal Government to stop funding and training an Indonesian "counter-terrorism" unit linked to a series of human rights abuses.

The Australian Greens used the Afghanistan war debate today to strengthen their call for Parliament to be given the power to declare war.

The Greens believe the power to send Australian forces to war should rest in the hands of Parliament," Senator Scott Ludlam told the Senate today. "The former Government's reckless and indefinite commitment to an unwinnable war in Afghanistan is a stark reminder of the need for Parliament, as the body in which the will of the people is invested, to decide upon the deployment of the nation's defence forces."

Rural Affairs and Transport Committee
Infrastructure Australia
21 October 2010

CHAIR-Questions for Infrastructure Australia?

Senator Ludlam asked:
Do you have figures for either Port Hedland - Port and South (either together or disaggregated), and for Karratha and Dampier?

Answer:

The following table shows the number of income units (singles, couples and families entitled to income support payments and/or more than the base rate of FTB Part A) living in public housing in Port Hedland and Roebourne (includes both Karratha and Dampier), from 2008 to 2010.

The Australian Greens and the Labor Party have signed an agreement to ensure stability for Labor in Government. The Greens will ensure supply and oppose any motion of no confidence in the Government from other parties or MPs.

Labor will work with the Greens to deliver improved transparency and integrity to Parliament and pursue policies that promote the national interest and address climate change.

As part of the agreement there will be regular meetings between the Prime Minister and Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown and newly-elected Lower House MP Adam Bandt.

Scott Ludlam on ABC RN National Interest program http://www.abc.net.au/rn/nationalinterest/stories/2010/2990044.htm

Respected Central Australian Aboriginal musician Warren H. Williams will today officially launch his campaign as the Greens Senate candidate for the Northern Territory.

Warren H was born at the remote community of Hermannsburg, west of Alice Springs, and is a proud Arrente man who wants to make a difference to his community.

Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam will help launch the campaign at an event at CAAMA studios, where Warren presents a popular national music program.

The Australian Greens welcome the Australian Information Commissioner Bill 2010 and the Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Bill 2010 and congratulate the government on having taken these important steps towards greater openness in government. I would like to add my remarks to those of Senator Brandis on the issue of onus of proof. He put it probably more eloquently and at greater length than I was going to, but those concerns were certainly shared by the Australian Greens.

Senator LUDLAM-I do not know whether you were in the room before. We were talking about whether NRAS funding is hitting the ground in the most stretched housing markets in WA, which are in the north-west. Can you break down for us, by postcode, where social housing spending is going? You do not need to read out a list of postcodes.