Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam says the Fair Work Commission's move to increase the minimum wage by $15.80 a week barely matches inflation and will leave WA workers struggling with record high rents.

"The minimum weekly wage is barely over $600, and the median weekly rent in Perth is $520. The weight of those numbers is crushing people.

Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications
Legislation Committee
Answers to questions on notice
Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities portfolio
Budget Estimates, May 2012
Program: Division or Agency: 2.2: SPAD Question
No:
053
Topic: Suburban Jobs Program -
consultation process
Proof Hansard Page and Date
or Written Question:
97
(22/5/12)

Senator Ludlam asked:

Billionaire heir to Lang Hancock's mining empire Gina Rinehart has no idea what life is like for workers on the minimum wage, the Australian Greens said today.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said Ms Rinehart's desire to cut the minimum wage was "based on ignorance and a complete lack of concern for the challenges working people face in their lives".

More than 100 workers in Fremantle and Bunbury locked out of their workplaces today are the targets of an unacceptable campaign of industrial extremism by stevedoring company POAGS, the Australian Greens said today.

Greens transport spokesperson, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said the workers were being targeted after using work bans to protest about safety concerns and POAGS dragging out Agreement negotiations for 12 months.

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. 

Uranium mine workers in the Northern Territory have not been included in the National Radiation Dose Register, the Australian Greens revealed today.

Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam uncovered the loophole during Senate Estimates hearings today while quizzing representatives from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).

The Australian Greens have called on the Government to take immediate action to clean up Australia's only nuclear isotope production facility after the damning findings of an investigation by Comcare.

While investigating the suspension of an Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation health representative, the agency responsible for workplace safety in the Commonwealth sector recommended the nuclear body engage in far-reaching reform of its safety standards.

The Australian Greens have welcomed yesterday's decision of the Tasmanian Supreme Court to allow the Australian Workers Union to enter a Rio Tinto worksite in Launceston.

Greens mining spokesperson, Senator for WA Scott Ludlam, said Rio Tinto Alcan's attempts to stop a health inspection meeting in the Bell Bay plant lunchroom (crib room) were "questionable".