The Australian Greens have condemned the funding cuts to indigenous legal aid services, which will see the peak body NATSILS close its doors in June.

Spokesperson for legal affairs Senator Penny Wright said the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service advocacy was crucial to addressing shocking levels of indigenous incarceration.

"More than one in four prisoners are Aboriginal, despite making up only a fraction of our population. Too many are in jail because of inadequate legal understanding and representation," Senator Wright said.

Senator Penny Wright speaks to reporters about George Brandis's job offer to Gillian Triggs:

"It's now clear that the Attorney-General put undue pressure on an independent office holder to resign. That is completely inappropriate and if anyone is going to resign, it should be the Attorney General."

If I’m feeling battered, I wonder how the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission is feeling. Probably the most difficult day I’ve experienced in Senate Estimates, today, as I had to witness a fine person and exceptional lawyer, Professor Gillian Triggs, being relentlessly hounded by two government Senators, shamelessly assisted by the overwhelmingly partisan Chair of the committee. Senate committees can often be political but can also be a source of good information and strong cross-party work. For me, this was an absolute low point.  

The Greens say Prime Minister Tony Abbott is again desperately trying to distract from his failing government, by embedding himself in an agenda of fear and anxiety, while completely ignoring the need to bring Australians together.

"Tony Abbott is again pressing the terror button in order to shore up his own position. It won't make us safer," Greens Leader Christine Milne said.

"Real leadership will bring people together, not divide them.

"An effort to build our community, rather than to implement divisive new laws, is what's required.

The Greens say David Hicks deserves and immediate apology for the injustice he has suffered, also calling for a thorough investigation about how and why the Australian Government let this happen.

"David Hicks was subjected to a bogus conviction, torture and wrongful imprisonment. An apology should be immediate," said Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne.

"Mr Hicks has described himself today as exhausted, worn out and defeated. An apology is about acknowledging the injustice he's suffered, and doing something to make it right.

The Australian Senate has today passed a motion thanking the Country Fire Service volunteers who fought to protect homes, properties and wildlife during the devastating Sampson Flat bushfires earlier this year.

The motion, moved by Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Penny Wright, also called on state and federal governments to ensure ongoing funding for CFS training, equipment and operations.

"The CFS did a fantastic job keeping South Australians safe and bringing the fire under control in some extremely challenging conditions," Senator Wright said.