Water Minister Penny Wong has today demonstrated contempt for the Senate and for open accountability in relation to intended water savings for the Murray-Darling Basin, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Senator Wong used a Budget Estimates hearing last week to reveal that $1 billion in promised water infrastructure funding would be withheld while…
Water Minister Penny Wong is playing politics over water management by using $1 billion in promised water infrastructure funding to help the Victorian Brumby Government get its way, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Senator Wong this week used a Budget Estimates hearing to reveal she has written to her Victorian counterpart advising the…
The Rudd Government has spent more than $520,000 sending its Whaling Envoy on a diplomatic world tour only for him to miss the key annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), Senator Simon Birmingham said today Special Envoy Sandy Hollway in just 60 days of work has racked up $526,170.99 in fees,…
Senator Simon Birmingham is urging a review of anti-terrorism broadcast standards, if a further review of an Arabic TV station owned and run by anti-Semitic organisation Hezbollah finds it doesn’t break Australian law. Satellite TV station al-Manar reaches much of Australia’s east coast via a feed from Indonesia, but Jewish groups have expressed…
Australians face being slugged another backdoor tax hike, with the basic postage rate going up for the second time in just over 12 months, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Under questioning in Senate Supplementary Budget Estimates this morning, Australia Post has revealed plans for its second 5-cent rise in basic postage rate in…
Senator Simon Birmingham is calling on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to visit Gawler while in South Australia and hear firsthand local concerns about health services there. It follows Kevin Rudd and Health Minister Nicola Roxon’s visit to Murray Bridge today, as part of national consultation surrounding the Government’s health reform plans. GPs…
The Rudd Government’s failure to take a strong stand on national water management has been reinforced in a damning report today. The National Water Commission released a two-yearly assessment of progress in implementing the National Water Initiative the reform plan agreed to by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments in 2004. …
The integrity of Australian elections would be improved if the Labor Government accepts the position of a senior Minister who has publicly supported proof-of-identity requirements at polling stations, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Senator Birmingham is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, which has previously explored the issues relating…
Senator Simon Birmingham is urging South Australian Age Pensioners subjected to the Rudd Government’s onerous Work Bonus reporting requirements to contact him with details of any difficulties experienced. Under new arrangements, any age pensioners earning an income are required to report fortnightly or face receiving a ‘nil payment’. “People who reach Age…
Senator Simon Birmingham and the Member for Grey, Rowan Ramsey, have met with Southern Cross Broadcasting executives to discuss television coverage issues facing South Australia’s north and west. These included services to areas of South Australia’s west coast outside the Spencer Gulf TV1 licence area, but more broadly the opportunities and concerns…