I move the amended motion:

That the Senate:

(a) notes that:

(i) the costs of political unrest fall disproportionately on the rights and wellbeing of women, and

(ii) the Support Association for the Women of Afghanistan (SAWA)-Australia was established in 2004, and that SAWA-Australia (South Australia) was set up in 2010 as its first state branch;

Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Penny Wright says the Renewable Energy Target legislation that passed the Senate last night will hit South Australia hardest.

"South Australia is the biggest loser out of Labor and Liberal's dirty deal to cut the Renewable Energy Target.

"We have the highest percentage of homes with solar panels, the most energy sourced from renewables and the most investment now at risk.

"Not only do we lose the opportunity for more clean energy, but we lose the jobs and investment that spin off from renewable energy.

I move that the Senate:

1.       commiserates with the 440 workers who will lose their jobs at the Leigh Creek coal mine and Port Augusta coal-fired power stations, which are flagged for closure by 2018;

2.       recognises the outstanding leadership of the Repower Port Augusta Alliance and the Port Augusta City Council in working with the community to advocate for solar thermal to replace the outdated coal power stations;

The Australian Greens have called for government investment to kick-start a solar thermal plant at Port Augusta to replace the two power stations slated for closure.

Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Senator Penny Wright said jobs in the renewable energy sector could replace those expected to be lost in Port Augusta.

"Although the closure of the power stations was inevitable, it will hit the community very hard. This just makes it even clearer that the future has to be renewable," Senator Wright said.

The 2015 Budget has no vision for the future of South Australia, say SA's Australian Greens Senators.

Senator Penny Wright said the Government was continuing to protect big business at the expense of everyday South Australians.

"The Abbott Government has absolutely no vision for South Australia's future. Rather than finding new sources of revenue from the big end of town, this Budget cuts one vital service to fund another," Senator Wright said.

The new climate agreements signed by the Adelaide City Council and State Governments have left the Abbott Government marooned, says Australian Greens Senator for SA Penny Wright.

"The Abbott Government's determination to destroy the renewable energy target is an international embarrassment and risks local jobs here in SA," Senator Wright said.

How do you feel about NAPLAN? Love it, hate it or have some suggestions, we want to hear your thoughts.

Join Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Penny Wright for a community forum on the future of NAPLAN testing and have your say.

Please click on the events below to register your interest!

BLACKWOOD COMMUNITY CENTRE

18 May, 7.30pm

The Australian Greens have called for an increased commitment to renewable energy from all levels of government in light of Alinta Energy's determination that a solar thermal plant in Port Augusta remains unfeasible at this stage.

Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Senator Penny Wright said South Australians overwhelmingly wanted renewable energy to replace dirty coal power.

"The future is renewable - there is no doubt about that," Senator Wright said. "It's time for all governments to step up and take the leader to make solar thermal happen at Port Augusta."

The Greens have called out the Abbott Government for holding up vital country of origin food labelling laws which would protect South Australian growers.