Australian Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has panned Labor’s apparent swift backflip today on its promised phase-out of live sheep export.

Senator Faruqi said:

“Federal Labor should grow a spine and unequivocally recommit to this important policy, which they took to the last election. But it seems they can’t even do that.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt announced today that the Greens would preference Labor ahead of the Liberals across the country. Greens Local and State branches finalised preference recommendations for how-to-vote cards this week ahead of early voting polling booths opening on May 9.

Greens how-to-vote cards, that recommend preferences, will recommend a preference for Labor above the Coalition and place other right wing parties last. The Greens will also recommend a preference for climate independents in key Liberal held seats.

Australian Greens Housing spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that a new Resolve Strategic poll has told a sorry story about the Coalition and Labor’s abandonment of young people on housing security and affordability.

67 per cent of people aged 18-34 now agree that many younger people who haven’t already bought a home will never be able to do so.

Senator Faruqi said:

The Greens have announced their plan for animal welfare ahead of the federal election.

Both the Coalition and Labor have ignored animal welfare over the last term of parliament, and actively supported industries that harm animals. The Greens believe we must properly care for animals and treat them with respect and compassion. We will fight to protect animals from cruelty and suffering and end harmful practices that put profit ahead of the welfare of animals.

As part of our plan, the Greens will push to:

Australian Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that the reported winding back of the ban on live sheep export to the Middle East during the Northern Summer will result in completely avoidable animal death and suffering.

Senator Faruqi said:

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that education has been smashed by a budget hostile to public schools, universities, TAFE, and early childhood education and care.

Senator Faruqi said:

“This is a government hostile to public education and its final budget proves this beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that Government and Labor Senators have teamed up to produce highly flawed and misleading findings in a Senate Inquiry report into her private member’s bill that would remove the ministerial veto power over Australian Research Council grant funding decisions.

On the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD), The Greens have announced their election plan to build an anti-racist Australia.

With racism on the rise, the Australian government must urgently tackle the root causes of racial hatred, discrimination and white supremacy.

The Greens will:

Australian Greens Anti-racism spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that the latest Islamophobia in Australia report, released today, reveals the horrifying face of Islamophobia and the urgent need for government to tackle anti-Muslim racism and hatred.

Senator Faruqi, who is the only Muslim in the Australian Senate, said:

“Islamophobia in this country is widespread, it is virulent, and it is on the rise.

“In the three years since Christchurch, the federal government has not lifted a finger to tackle Islamophobia and racism in this country.