FRAN KELLY: In what will be a significant extension of the Commonwealth’s environmental powers, a Senate committee has given a tick to Labor plans for a new federal water trigger. The plan would mean the Federal Government will have to take into account water use when approving large coal or coal seam gas mining…
DAVID BEVAN: Now, yesterday we brought you the news that, in the budget and it’s a pretty big document there was a line which said $5 million will be given to a church in Thebarton… it’s a Greek Orthodox church at Thebarton [Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Thebarton]… to pay for soundproofing…
MARK PARTON: Let’s go to Simon Birmingham, Senator for South Australia, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray-Darling Basin and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment. SIMON BIRMINGHAM: Good morning, Mark, and good morning to your listeners. MARK PARTON: Was there an honesty from Wayne Swan last night? I mean, aside from all…
KIERAN GILBERT: … let’s go to our panel this morning, the Minister for Home Affairs, Justice and Customs, Jason Clare, and Liberal frontbencher, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Water [Murray-Darling Basin], Environment, Senator Simon Birmingham. Gentlemen, good to see you. SIMON BIRMINGHAM: Morning, Kieran. … KIERAN GILBERT: Senator Birmingham, there isn’t bipartisan support…
MICHAEL DONATO: On the phone with us now is our special guest, Liberal Senator for South Australia Simon Birmingham. Simon is the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment and the Murray-Darling Basin. Welcome to the program. SIMON BIRMINGHAM: Good evening. Good to be with you. MICHAEL DONATO: Now, marriage equality or gay…
MARK PARTON: Let’s go to Liberal Senator for South Australia Simon Birmingham… where it’s going to be bloody hot today, in Adelaide. I reckon it’s going to be like 28 degrees. G’day, Simon. SIMON BIRMINGHAM: Good morning, Mark. Good morning to your listeners. Indeed, a beautiful day… few days forecast here in Adelaide……
KEITH CONLON: … the desal plant is back in the news and it’s because the federal Auditor-General has given it a slap. With the details, federal Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham from South Australia. Good morning, Senator. SIMON BIRMINGHAM: Good morning, Keith. Good morning, Jane and listeners. KEITH CONLON: How significant is this…
MICHAEL 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…
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…
KIERAN 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…