The Australian Government will continue to receive independent advice on climate policy and the RET, now the Greens in the Senate have blocked the abolition of the independent Climate Change Authority.

"It's ridiculous that Tony Abbott is blocking action on global warming, and undermining renewable energy, by rejecting the experts who can tell him how to maximise opportunities," said Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne.

We give notice that on the next day of sitting we shall move that -

The Senate notes:

1.    The concern of communities in South Australia and Western Australia about their land and water being threatened by shale and other unconventional gas mining.

2.    That landholders lack the legal right to refuse shale and other unconventional gas mining on their land.

3.    The scientific uncertainty surrounding the environmental and health implications of hydraulic fracturing ('fracking') for shale and other unconventional gas mining.

The Federal Government must rule out allowing US military spy drones to be based on Australia's Cocos Islands, the Greens said today.

Greens spokesperson assisting on Defence, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said the Government needs to respond decisively to reports that the US is considering the use of the islands off the north-west coast for surveillance drones and other spy aircraft.