Australian Greens Leader Richard Di Natale was joined by former leader Bob Brown and the Greens candidate for Melbourne Ports today to announce the Greens' plan for national Dying with Dignity laws.

"The Australian Greens are today announcing our commitment to introduce the first ever national Dying with Dignity laws during the next term of parliament," said Senator Di Natale.

Leader of the Australian Greens Dr Richard Di Natale has announced a new tax on sugary sweetened beverages to help tackle Australia's obesity epidemic.

"We have a major health crisis on our hands with over a quarter of Australian adults and children overweight or obese," said Senator Di Natale who was a general practitioner and public health specialist before he entered politics.

30% of the added sugar kids consume comes from sweetened drinks, contributing to weight gain and a risk of diabetes, in particular for kids.

Speaking at a conference in Sydney this afternoon, Australian Greens Leader Dr Richard Di Natale announced a Harm Reduction Innovation Fund to invest in practices that reduce and prevent the harm caused by illicit drugs.

"The old ways of dealing with Australia's longstanding illicit drug issue just don't work. We need to look beyond simply locking people up, to create clever, innovative ways to solve Australia's drug crisis."

Australian Greens Leader Dr Richard Di Natale says Scott Morrison's 4-year fiscal plan won't please anyone who values a quality health system.

"This Budget attacks universal dental care, cuts millions out of frontline health services, and contains a Medicare co-payment by stealth," Senator Di Natale said.

"Australians who value a quality health system will not be motivated to vote for the Liberals or Nationals at this election."

MBS indexation freeze: a Medicare co-payment by stealth

Senator DI NATALE

I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Prime Minister (Senator Brandis), no later than 3 pm on Wednesday, 4 May 2016, all documents created between October 2013 and May 2016 relating to the funding of hospitals in regional Victoria, and, in particular, the funding of Wangaratta hospital, including the withdrawal of $10 million, and any commitments made to the former Member for Indi (Mrs Mirabella) in relation to such funds.

Question agreed to.

The Greens have rejected the Liberals' pre-election promise to change Australia's publicly funded dental care program, warning it will limit patient access.

"This plan is a shocker. If it's allowed to go ahead it will totally undermine the push for universal Medicare funded access to dental care," said Australian Greens Leader Dr Richard Di Natale.

"80 per cent of dental clinics will be off-limits to patients using this program, which relies only on dental systems run by the states.

I was able to hear the first part of Senator Leyonhjelm's speech, which was more of a pitch for tobacco donations to help fund his re-election campaign than it was based on evidence or fact. Senator Leyonhjelm is, clearly, somebody who benefits substantially from those huge donations from the tobacco industry.

Australian Greens Leader and former public health doctor, Senator Richard Di Natale, today said the government’s new chronic illness package has acknowledged the right problem but allocated the wrong resourcing.

“Improving coordinated care for people with chronic illness is sorely needed but the government’s proposed trial is light on detail and funding,” said Senator Di Natale.

“Based on the Minister’s comments this morning, a funding commitment equal to $340 per patient appears to be woefully inadequate.