SIMON BIRMINGHAM: This report from the Auditor-General is a damning indictment of the Commonwealth funding decisions into the Adelaide Desalination Plant. $328 million of taxpayers’ money was spent in a process that demonstrates Labor spends first and thinks later when it comes to its funding commitments $328 million of taxpayers’ money spent, the…
DetailsMICHAEL SMYTH: … first to this report out today into Adelaide’s operational, controversial but soon-to-be-mothballed desal plant the federal Auditor-General critical of the decision to double the size of the plant and also the way that some of the funding was signed off. The report was initiated by Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham who…
DetailsLEON BYNER: Now, South Australian taxpayers face an estimated $500 million bill to complete the planned Darlington Interchange after the Federal Opposition’s promise of a major cash injection. As usual, we’ll have both sides of this. Let’s first of all talk with Senator Simon Birmingham. Simon, what meat can you add to the bone…
DetailsKIERAN GILBERT: With me now, Liberal frontbencher Senator Simon Birmingham and Labor MP Andrew Leigh. Andrew Leigh, thanks for your time. I’ll start with you if I can. On the budget, Joe Hockey is saying that, well, the Disability Insurance Scheme, if the Government is going to pursue a Medicare-style levy it’s only going…
DetailsKIERAN GILBERT: … let’s look at some domestic political issues… The [Australian] Financial Review reporting this morning that Bill Scales, the Swinburne University of Technology chancellor… he was the author of the Button car plan [Motor Industry Development Plan] under Labor Prime Minister Bob Hawke… he’s wondering why the Government is targeting higher education…
DetailsSAMANTHA HAWLEY: Let’s turn first to the bombings at the Boston Marathon. Despite more than 100 Australians participating in the event, none were injured when two bombs ripped through the crowd at the race finish line. Three people were killed and more than 100 injured. The Prime Minister has written to the United States…
DetailsThe Gillard Government spent nearly $17,000 of taxpayers’ money on a lavish party to launch its Carbon Cop, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Simon Birmingham said today. The cost of the 4 April 2012 party on the banks of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin has been revealed through FOI applications made by Senator…
Details“Labor’s failing of South Australians on broadband is plain for all to see and no amount of grandstanding by Senator Conroy and Kate Ellis can hide the truth,” Liberal Senator for South Australia Simon Birmingham said today. “NBN Co has confirmed a failure to connect any South Australians to the National Broadband Network…
DetailsRising business costs, which are being exacerbated by factors such as the carbon tax and excessive regulation, have delivered a third major blow to the Whyalla region today. Arafura Resources’ announcement that they will not proceed with a $1 billion mineral processing plant at Whyalla citing increasing business costs, including transport costs…
DetailsGRANT GOLDMAN: Australian taxpayers have footed a bill approaching a million dollars to send an extravagant 52-person delegation to a single three-day conference in Brazil. It’s according to Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Simon Birmingham. A million dollars for a three-day conference! Details on the size and cost of Australia’s attendance at the…
Details