The Australian Greens today dismissed the release of the long-awaited Business Plan for Caring for Our Country as 'all gloss and no substance'.

"This is a very shallow and disappointing effort from Environment Minister Peter Garrett," said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

"It shows a total lack of direction and planning for how to address Australia's serious Natural Resource Management (NRM) issues. This is 94 pages of glossy photos and statements, with very little detail on project planning, integration and assessment." Read more »

The Senate today passed more important, common-sense Green amendments to the Water Bill, enabling better management of water in the Murray Darling Basin, said Australian Greens spokesperson on water, Senator Rachel Siewert.

These included: Read more »

The Australian Greens welcomed the release today of the Wetlands for Our Future report, and called on the Rudd Government to move quickly to implement an National Wetlands Initiative.

"Many of Australia's unique and internationally recognised wetlands are highly threatened," said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

"With 80% of the wetlands within the Murray Darling Basin already lost and the remaining few dying for a drink it is high time the Commonwealth acted on its international commitments." Read more »