Milne 'clears air' in Canberra

Senator Christine Milne at the National Press Club in Canberra today. Picture: KYM SMITH

AUSTRALIAN Greens leader Christine Milne says she's "cleared the air" by attacking the Federal Government for walking away from its agreement with the minor party.

The Tasmanian senator has accused Labor of choosing to support big miners and no longer honouring the agreement to work together to promote transparent and accountable government in the national interest.

Addressing the National Press Club in Canberra today, Senator Milne said it had been very obvious for a while that Labor had walked away from the deal.

Among the examples she cited were the Government's refusal to fix the mining tax, its decision to allow mining in the Tarkine in Tasmania, to expand coal seam gas mining and to cut single parent welfare payments.

"All of these actions undermine that fundamental agreement," Senator Milne told Sky News.

"I thought it was time we just cleared the air, said they've walked away and frankly the response from some of them shows they have walked away."

Asked if the agreement was still in place, Senator Milne said it was "on paper".

"But you can see from the Labor party's point of view it is not, and in a parliamentary scenario it is important to be very clear about the relationships," she said.

Senator Milne the Greens would still support supply bills and oppose no-confidence motions.

But it was dishonest of the government to pretend it was working in the public interest with the Greens, she said.

"The policies they are coming out with are the antithesis of that," she said.

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