SENATOR BIRMINGHAM: (South Australia) (21:21): Thank you, Madam Acting Deputy President, and it is a pleasure to see you in the chair. Can I say as I rise to speak and congratulate you on that role. It is also a pleasure to follow Senator Joyce in speaking and to have heard some of his remarks…
DetailsSENATOR BIRMINGHAM: (South Australia) (11:07): I rise to speak on the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Improved Access to Television Services) Bill 2012. At the outset of my remarks, let me reflect on what we just saw in the chamber. I am not referring to the division we just saw, although the division was of course like…
DetailsSENATOR BIRMINGHAM: (South Australia) (12:44): I rise to speak on the Clean Energy Finance Corporation Bill 2012. I have been listening to Senator Pratt’s comments and I listened to Senator Milne’s contribution prior to that. The chamber just received a lecture from Senator Pratt about how this bill was going to support projects that were…
DetailsSENATOR BIRMINGHAM: (South Australia) (20:30): I rise to speak on the Clean Energy Legislation Amendment Bill 2012, the Clean Energy (Customs Tariff Amendment) Bill 2012 and the Clean Energy (Excise Tariff Legislation Amendment) Bill 2012. Let me say at the outset that those of us on this side have said all along that these carbon…
DetailsSENATOR BIRMINGHAM: (South Australia) (12:52): It is a pleasure to present this report on a series of treaties tabled on 7 and 28 February 2012. One of the more important treaties to put some remarks on the record about is the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment…
DetailsSENATOR BIRMINGHAM:(South Australia) (17:00): I want to commence my contribution to this debate with a quote: You do not just need to be here in this chamber to realise how arrogant and out of touch this government has become, with the ramming through of legislation, ridiculously tight deadlines for legislation, changing the sitting pattern all…
DetailsSENATOR BIRMINGHAM: (South Australia) (20:57): I am pleased to speak on the National Water Commission Amendment Bill 2012. The National Water Commission was established in 2005 by the coalition government led by Prime Minister Howard. At that stage Mr Anderson was the Deputy Prime Minister. Both were very cognisant of the importance and significance of…
DetailsCHRIS KENNY: Well, there we have it. After 100 years or so of Federation we’ve still got states and federal governments at loggerheads over the future of the Murray-Darling Basin. I must say we have got bids in to speak to the Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke. He is available but because of various…
DetailsNATASHA STOTT DESPOJA: Well, some of you may have seen that there’s a big debate going on in Federal Parliament yet again about same-sex marriage and two pieces of legislation are being debated in the House of Representatives. Today in the House of Representatives a report came down into the issue and a majority…
DetailsSouth Australians will be paying more for electricity and gas than they should, due to the carbon tax. The rising cost of living is already a challenge for South Australian families and adding another price hike to rising bills is a real blow. The Prime Minister should apologise to South Australian families…
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