The Australian Greens are pleased to announce that former Tasmanian Greens Leader Nick McKim has been elected by a ballot of members to become the next Greens Senator for Tasmania. Mr McKim will fill a casual vacancy in the Senate, created by the resignation of Christine Milne.

“I want to thank the Tasmanian Greens members for giving me this honour and I will do everything I can to repay the faith they have put in me,” McKim said. “Replacing someone of Christine’s calibre will be a huge challenge, but one that I’m really looking forward to.”

Greens Leader Richard Di Natale expressed grave concerns today about the Abbott government's moves to revoke Australian citizenship.

"Australians can't afford a captain's call from Tony Abbott on citizenship. There has to be a debate about this," said Senator Di Natale.

"A strong leader understands that the job of the government is to protect the community, not threaten and frighten people.

"Tony Abbott must listen to more sensible voices within his Cabinet and recognise his approach frightens the community and does not make us safer.

I recently did an interview with the Australian Jewish News, and would like to expand on my comments.

1. He's a doctor

Richard worked as a GP all over the country, from Geelong to Tennant Creek where he worked in an Aboriginal health service. Richard's work in public health also took him to India where he worked to combat the spread of HIV.

The Senate Select Committee on the Abbott Government’s Budget Cuts today released a report into the impact of the budget on young people. Chair of the committee, Senator Richard Di Natale said that young Australians were some of the hardest hit by the budget.

“From the cuts to school funding and youth services to the proposed changes to higher education, Newstart and Medicare, this budget squeezes young people from all sides,” said Senator Richard Di Natale, Australian Greens spokesperson on youth.

Instead of Campbell Newman’s destructive coal and casino obsession, the Greens have a positive vision for Queensland’s economy.

“Queensland already has more casinos than any other state, but Campbell Newman is allowing another three, bringing the total to seven,” Australian Greens Senator for Queensland, Larissa Waters, said.

“Casinos and coal mines are not an economic strategy - they are a recipe for more problem gambling and climate change.