Australian Greens leader Bob Brown says newly-appointed Conservation Minister Eric Abetz is too terrified to engage in debate with him.
Senator Brown said Senator Abetz stated on Tuesday 24th January that he would not engage in debate with the Greens leader.
"The very fact that he says that he's not going to engage on issues with me or talk to me about issues is because he's terrified," he said.
"He knows he can't substantiate the debate, whether it's on Tasmania's forests, the health of its future, jobs growth in Tasmania, health issues, drugs policy whatever it is."
Senator Brown said the Greens' message would still get through to Prime Minister John Howard whether Senator Abetz spoke to him or not.
"I'm not all that worried about him, I have to tell you," he said.
"The Greens' message is still going to get through to the prime minister.
"We'll have a few meaty bites on the side to give to Eric as we go but he should settle down a little bit."
He said he was looking forward to debating Senator Abetz in the Senate.
"I'm looking forward to very informative debates with the minister across the floor of the chamber in the Senate," he said.
Comment was being sought from Senator Abetz.
A spokesman for Senator Abetz said he was happy to deal with the conservation movement but would not engage in debate with the Greens or Senator Brown.
"What Senator Abetz said yesterday was, he was happy to deal with the conservation movement but not the Greens, especially Bob Brown," the spokesman said.
"He has learnt from previous experience that you can't deal with him and can't trust him."
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